Safe Travels: How to Choose a Car Seat and Base

When Do You Have to Use a Car Seat?

Key facts to remember:

• Children must use a car seat from birth until they’re 12 years old or 135cm tall. (Whichever comes first.)
• Choose a car seat based on your child’s height and weight, and one that is compatible with your car.
• Weight-based car seats must be rear-facing until your child weighs more than 9kg.
• Height-based car seats are known as ‘i-Size’ seats and must be rear-facing until your child is over 15 months old.
• Never use an infant carrier on the front passenger seat with the airbag activated.
• Only EU-approved child car seats can be used in the UK.
• Ensure you have an infant carrier for your baby’s first car ride home from the hospital.

Why Are Car Seats So Important?

Car seats will be one of the most crucial purchases a parent could make. Not only is it required by law, but car seats also provide necessary protection for children in the event of an incident.  

As babies and toddlers have larger heads and weaker necks, a seat belt is simply not enough to protect your child in an accident.  

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury for infants by 71% and for toddlers by 54%.  

Which Car Seat Group Does My Child Need?

We understand that it can be difficult, as a first-time parent, to know which car seat is right for your child. Below are breakdowns for car seats going off weight and height (R44 and i-Size); these two components help in choosing which car seat will be the best fit for your little one!  

R44 Car Seats

The R44 is a weight-based sizing system that is defined by UK legislation: 

i-Size Car Seats

i-Size is an EU Safety regulation regarding car seats for children under 135cm in height (approx. 12 years). These seats are categorised by height rather than weight.

A little back story, this regulation was introduced in 2013 to ensure that car seats fit in all cars, leading to a reduced risk of fitting the incorrect car seat (which can compromise a child’s safety).

i-Size is considered safer as infants up to 15 months old must travel in rear facing car seats.

Rear-facing car seats offer superior protection for your child in the event of a frontal collision and have been tested for side impact, our incredibly sturdy and reliable range of Joie Car Seats support these i-Size regulations.

Rear-facing vs Forward-facing Seats

Forward-Facing Seats

• 77% effectiveness in reducing injury.
• 40% risk of severe injury caused by collision.
• Less support for head and neck, in case of an accident. (300kg neck loads in a 50km/hr crash)

Rear-facing Seats

• 96% effectiveness in reducing injury.
• 8% risk of severe injury caused by collision.
• Greater neck support in case of an accident. (50kg neck loads in a 50km/hr crash)

What is The Difference Between a Car Seat and a Booster Seat?

The key distinguishing fact between a car seat and a booster is that one relies on a five-point harness whilst a booster seat uses the vehicle’s seat belt across the child (like an adult would).  

A child can safely use a booster when you can say YES to ALL 5 of the points below: 

1. Child’s back is against the vehicle seat perfectly.
2. Child’s knees bend at the edge of the seat.
3. Lap belt sit on top of the thighs not on the belly.
4. Shoulder belt is sitting between neck and shoulder.
5. Child can sit properly, no slouching or playing with seat belt etc.

Use these points to ensure your child can safely use a booster. If they only meet 4 out of 5, then stick to a car seat to ensure maximum security during journeys until your little one meets the requirements.  

Do You Need a Car Seat Base?

You may be wondering if you need a car base for your car seat. The short answer is it depends on the type of car seat you have.  

Car bases are used to make the installation of car seats smoother, they come in two types: belted and ISOFIX.  

Belted car bases use the car’s seat belt to secure the base to the vehicle, whilst ISOFIX uses the standardised attachment points built into a car. (However, not all cars are equipped with ISOFIX attachments.)  

What Does ISOFIX Mean?

ISOFIX is an attachment point in a car to provide a solid and permanent connection between the car seat and the car body. 

This is the safest, easiest, and quickest way to fit a car seat correctly. Look at our range of ISOFIX-compatible bases to find your best fit. 

Safety Tips for Travelling

• Check the safety label. It should feature an E mark and read 44/04 or R129.
• Never buy a second-hand car seat. There will be no record of whether the seat was damaged in an accident.
• Children under 3 years should not be kept in a car seat for over 2 hours.
• Avoid putting your child in bulky clothing when travelling. If you can fit more than 2 fingers under the safety harness, it needs to be tightened.
• To avoid buckle crunch, the belt buckle of the car seat should be positioned down the side of the seat, with only the straps touching the frame.

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