A considerable number of children are not strapped correctly into their carseats, a study has revealed.
Two thirds of infants are facing danger when travelling in cars due to not being secured into their carseats properly.
A study conducted by What? Car found that 33 percent of car seats were “unsuitable” for the child they were carrying.
A further one third of car seats were either positioned incorrectly or secured incorrectly by a seat belt.
The most common errors parents were making with car seats were loose seat belts, harnesses not being in the right position, and incorrect head rests.
According to the RSA, it is best to keep your baby in a rear-facing seat for as long as possible, as they provide greater protection for the baby’s head, neck and spine than forward-facing seats.
The car seat’s straps also should be kept tight to minimise any movement. As a guide, you shouldn’t be able to pinch any slack in the fabric between your fingers.
Car seat experts advise that babies should be swaddled AFTER fastening them in the car seat, instead of fastening the straps over a swaddle. Likewise, bulky coats shouldn’t be worn underneath the harness of a car seat, as the harness may be too loose to work effectively.
The RSA currently offer a Check It Fits free-of-charge service with trained experts who help ensure child seats are properly fitted in cars all over Ireland.
