A child car seat is arguably the single most important purchase you will make for your baby and is not only a legal requirement in the UK (and throughout the world) but could potentially save your child’s life in the event of a road accident.
The UK’s Baby Products Association, which represents manufacturers and suppliers of baby products including the majority of car seat manufacturers, has just launched a free comprehensive guide CHILD CAR SEATS – ending the confusion explaining everything a parent or carer needs to know when purchasing and installing the correct car seat. Print copies of this guide will be available from many car seat retailers throughout the UK later this year; but during the Covid-19 lockdown can be downloaded immediately HERE.
In July 2013, a new European child car seat regulation was introduced – R129 – with the intention of making child car seats easier to fit, provide better protection from side impacts and to keep children rearward-facing for longer. However, there is much confusion and contradiction regarding this legislation and the Baby Products Association’s guide has been produced combining fact-based views of most major car seat brands and can be referred to as an authority when purchasing a child car seat.
Robert Anslow, managing director of the Baby Products Association, explains: “We cannot reiterate enough the importance of purchasing car seats from knowledgeable and reputable retailers, who will advise which car seat best fits your make and model of vehicle; and also demonstrate installation to ensure that it is correctly fitted.
“However, with the unprecedented Covid-19 lockdown, parents and carers have no option but to make essential car seat purchases online, particularly for new babies coming home from hospital, and this guide will help them to understand the new regulation and make informed purchases based on fact. Many manufacturers also have product installation guides available to view on YouTube, which can help during the absence of face-to-face demonstrations.”
For more information about the Baby Products Association visit www.b-p-a.org