Strapping little one in properly!
This can seem very obvious and self explanatory, but it's actually the most common fitting and use error!
You've done the hard work of making sure your little one's seat is perfect, now let's make sure they're strapped in perfect!
The harness is just as important to get right as the suitability and fitting of the seat is!
This can seem very obvious and self explanatory, but it's actually the most common fitting and use error!
You've done the hard work of making sure your little one's seat is perfect, now let's make sure they're strapped in perfect!
The harness is just as important to get right as the suitability and fitting of the seat is!
REAR FACING HARNESS USE
Harness height:
When rear facing the harness needs to be level with or just below the shoulders. If the straps were too high the child could potentially 'ramp' up the seat in an impact.
Harness tension:
The harness should be pulled tight enough so that you can just get 2 fingers between the child and the harness.
Harness height:
When rear facing the harness needs to be level with or just below the shoulders. If the straps were too high the child could potentially 'ramp' up the seat in an impact.
Harness tension:
The harness should be pulled tight enough so that you can just get 2 fingers between the child and the harness.
FORWARD FACING
Harness height:
The harness should be level with or just above the child's shoulders. The straps should pin the child back into the seat to allow the harness to best spread the force in an impact.
Harness tension:
The harness should be pulled tight enough so that you can just get 2 fingers between the child and the harness
Harness height:
The harness should be level with or just above the child's shoulders. The straps should pin the child back into the seat to allow the harness to best spread the force in an impact.
Harness tension:
The harness should be pulled tight enough so that you can just get 2 fingers between the child and the harness
ADULT SEAT BELT AND BOOSTER
Seat belt positioning:
The adult seat belt should sit low over the child's hips. The shoulder belt should run from the lap belt guide by the child's hip; up and across their shoulder. Adjust the headrest to gain the correct height for the shoulder belt.
Seat belt positioning:
The adult seat belt should sit low over the child's hips. The shoulder belt should run from the lap belt guide by the child's hip; up and across their shoulder. Adjust the headrest to gain the correct height for the shoulder belt.
CLOTHING IN CAR SEATS
A common concern from parents is what the child should wear when in the car seat. Obviously we want children to be warm enough, but there are concerns about items of clothing causing problems with how the harness fits and performs in an accident.
Children should ideally wear the type of clothes in the car seat that they would wear indoors - thin layers. It is best to remove any thick coats, puffy snowsuits or jackets and any other items of clothing that appear to cause an obstruction as they may prevent the harness from working properly.
The harness may not work correctly because the clothing 'pads' out under the harness. In an impact the clothing compresses and you're potentially left with a loose harness. - This is particularly the case with puffy snowsuits and puffy jackets.
There are several ways to keep little one warm:
A common concern from parents is what the child should wear when in the car seat. Obviously we want children to be warm enough, but there are concerns about items of clothing causing problems with how the harness fits and performs in an accident.
Children should ideally wear the type of clothes in the car seat that they would wear indoors - thin layers. It is best to remove any thick coats, puffy snowsuits or jackets and any other items of clothing that appear to cause an obstruction as they may prevent the harness from working properly.
The harness may not work correctly because the clothing 'pads' out under the harness. In an impact the clothing compresses and you're potentially left with a loose harness. - This is particularly the case with puffy snowsuits and puffy jackets.
There are several ways to keep little one warm:
USE A BLANKET
Lightly dress baby and strap them in tightly. Then firmly wrap a thin, folded blanket around them, only as high as their arm pits.
Lightly dress baby and strap them in tightly. Then firmly wrap a thin, folded blanket around them, only as high as their arm pits.
USE A CAR SEAT COVER
The Cosy Car seat cover from Ruby & GINGER is a super stylish and super safe keep warm cover. It fits easily over the car seat once the child is properly strapped in. As it is 3+ tog rated, it helps baby regulate their temperature.
The Cosy Car seat cover from Ruby & GINGER is a super stylish and super safe keep warm cover. It fits easily over the car seat once the child is properly strapped in. As it is 3+ tog rated, it helps baby regulate their temperature.
BLANKET
Tuck a blanket around a toddler, you can get them to join in by letting them pick what blanket they want for the car!
Tuck a blanket around a toddler, you can get them to join in by letting them pick what blanket they want for the car!
PUT THE COAT ON BACKWARDS
For older children strap them in correctly then pop their coat on backwards over the harness.
For older children strap them in correctly then pop their coat on backwards over the harness.