National baby safety month

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National baby safety month

When I was little, I remember sitting in the footwell of a family friend’s two-seater Triumph Spitfire, this being the ‘safest’ way to travel in it. And of course I watched sky, trees and buildings flash by as I lay along the back seat of my father’s Mk4 Ford Zephyr. The seatbelts (front-fitted only) would dangle by the door pillars instead of restraining passengers.

As a parent, these scenarios now fill me with horror. It was the norm then but shows just how much has changed in the intervening [mumbles a number] years.

Thankfully, today we are all much more aware safety aware: legislation, industry bodies and common sense have prevailed, as has the availability of regulated products to help us protect our precious small cargo from the potential horrors of a crash or even heavy braking.

So, with September being national baby safety month, promoted by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), it’s time to focus on our smallest family members in the car.

Getting the seat right

Seating is arguably the most important aspect when transporting a baby: if you know your child is safe and secure, any small child-related emergency should be able to wait until you can stop somewhere safe to deal with it.

As they get older, children - with some persuasion and varying degrees of success - can be encouraged to sit sensibly in cars but babies are completely dependent on you to keep them safe. The rules can seem complicated too. Do you select a seat by weight or height? Can you put them in the front of a car? What about the airbag? And which way round should they face?

Seats can be chosen based on a baby’s height or weight and the government website (https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules) sets out the rules. Both types of seat should have an ‘E’ label to show they are compliant with the latest regulations.

Height-based seats (also known as i-Size or R129 seats) must be rear-facing when children are less than 15 months old.

Weight-based seats (also known as R44 seats) are set out in the following groups:

• 0 (0-10kg) flat or rear-facing baby carrier or rear-facing baby seat

• 0+ (0-13kg) rear-facing baby carrier or rear-facing baby seat

• 1 (9-18kg) rear- or front-facing baby seat

• 2 (15-25kg) rear- or front-facing child seat or booster cushion

• 3 (22-36kg) rear- or front-facing child seat or booster cushion

Other rules apply too:

The airbag must be switched-off if the child is in a rear-facing front seat. This is often done via an ignition key in a slot in the glove compartment but you may need to check your car’s manual.
Children must never be transported on side-facing seats.

It is important to adjust seats properly and follow the fixing instructions to ensure the seat is correctly fitted. Most new cars have the universal ISOFIX slots which hold the seat in place securely. This is more secure and easier to fit than one retained by just a seatbelt. However, a top tether strap or support leg is also necessary to form the third anchorage point for additional bracing in the event of a collision.

We recommend purchasing your seat from a retailer with trained staff who can ensure you choose the correct seat for your child and that it is compatible with your car.

Current recommendations are not to use second-hand seats if you don’t know their provenance. It isn’t always possible to tell if a seat has hidden internal damage.

The baby's welfare

Safety extends beyond choosing the right seat of course. So feeding, changing nappies, and aiming to keep to a sensible routine must all be considered when journey planning. Make regular stops where you can check on your baby in safety. And of course, ensure all toys are age-appropriate and carry the CE mark (showing the toy meets regulatory requirements) and the voluntary British Toy and Hobby Association's (BTHA) 'Lion Mark’ in a yellow triangle.

Beyond the baby

Remember the driver too. If you have been up all night because your baby has kept you awake, you could be a significant danger on the road due to tiredness.

Don’t forget spare clothes and changing equipment. Even on the shortest drive, an unhappy baby will be a distraction for the driver.

And as with all kids, try to allow extra time. Being late for an appointment will add to the regular stress of driving with a baby on board and could encourage a driver to take risks to make up time.

What can the car do to help?

Getting the temperature right will help to keep everyone calm and comfortable, so ensure your air conditioning is working ahead of the summer months.

When small hands learn to play with buttons and handles, engage the child locks on rear doors (often the switches are accessed when the doors are open although some cars have a button or menu setting). And when there are electric windows in the rear, they can usually be disabled by a button next to the driver’s window controls. This will prevent anything (including favourite teddy) being hurled out, a danger to other road users and the end of the world for your inconsolable baby.

Further information

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has a number of short videos including a helpful one on child seats. https://www.rospa.com/Road-Safety/Resources/Films.aspx

About the Author

Andrew is a freelance motoring journalist with a background in IT and the vehicle leasing industry. With a lifetime’s passion for all things automotive, he can be found behind the wheel of everything from vans to supercars. In addition to reviewing the latest vehicles and technology, Andrew also runs a couple of classic British motors. He lives at the edge of the Peak District with his son and cat.

Andrew Wright @theMotorWriter