Correct Use of Seatbelts and Child Car Seats Presented by:

1. Correct Use of Seatbelts and Child Car Seats Presented by:

2. Carrying Children Safely • The safest way to carry a child is in a car seat that is suitable for their weight and size • In a 30mph crash an unrestrained child can be thrown about with a force between 30 and 60 times their body weight • It is not safe for an adult to carry a child on their lap. The child could be crushed or torn from the adults grip

3. The Law • Children up to 3 years • Front seat: Must use correct rear-facing child restraint. Illegal to use front seat if a passenger airbag is fitted • Rear seat: Must use correct rear-facing seat • In a licensed vehicle or taxi if a restraint is not available the child can travel in the rear unrestrained • It is the drivers responsibility to ensure the child is restrained

4. The Law • Aged 3- 12 or 135cm tall • Front seat: Must use the correct restraint • Rear seat: Must use the correct restraint • 3 exceptions to rule, child must use adult belt • In a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle • Journey is short and necessary • Two fitted child restraints prevent a third being used • The driver is responsible to ensure restraint is used

5. The Law • Aged 12-13 (over 1.35metres tall) • Front seat: Adult must be worn • Rear seat: Adult belt must be worn • Driver is responsible to ensure child is restrained • Aged 14+ • Must use adult belt in front and rear • Passenger is responsible for using restraint

6. Public Vehicles • Buses used for public travel do not have seatbelts because of construction and they are designed to transport standing passengers • Taxi’s and private hire vehicles. If a baby seat is not available the child must travel unrestrained in the rear. Older children must use adult belt

7. Public Vehicles • Coaches and minibuses carrying groups of children on organised trips must provide a lap belt or a 3 point belt. By law all coaches and minibuses manufactured or first used on or after 1st October 2001 must be fitted with seat belts

8. Types of Child Seats • An appropriate child seat must • Meet United Nations standard ECE Regulation R44.03 or R44.04 • Is correct for the child’s size and weight • Be fitted correctly according to the manufacturers instructions

9. Types of Child Seats • Car seats are divided into categories. • Stage 1: Groups 0 and 0+ • Stage 2: Group 1 • Stage 3: Group 2 • Stage 4: Group 3

10. Types of Child Seats • Rearward facing baby seats • Group 0: babies up to 10 kgs (22 lbs) roughly birth to 6-9 months • Group 0+: babies up to 13kg (29lbs) roughly birth to 12-15 months • Use in front or rear, rear is safer • Do not use in cars with front passenger airbags • Provide greater protection for babies head, neck and spine. Advisable to use these for as long as possible

11. Types of Child Seats • Forward facing child seat • Group 1: children weighing 9-18 kgs (20-40 lbs) roughly from 9 months - 4 years. • Can be used in front or rear • These should have an integral harness. Large area of harness helps to reduce risk of injury • Attachment between legs will stop child sliding out

12. Types of Child Seats • Booster Seats and Booster Cushions • Group 2: children weighing 15 - 25 kgs (33 - 55 lbs) roughly 4 to 6 years • Group 3: children weighing 22 - 36 kgs (48 - 79 lbs) roughly from 6 - 11 years. • Booster seats are now produced to fit in both groups 2 and 3. They have a detachable back when the child has outgrown the back rest

13. Types of Child Seats • Booster seats do not have an integral harness. The adult belt should be adjusted correctly • the belt should be worn as tight as possible • the lap belt should go over the pelvic region, not the stomach • the diagonal strap should rest over the shoulder, not the neck

14. Conclusion • Child seats are the safest way for children to travel • Use the correct restraint for the child’s size and weight • Child must always be restrained. Except babies under 3 years in a taxi if restraint is not available