Parents

Welcome to your car seat safety companion.

Whether you’re brand new to parenting, deep in the trenches of toddlerhood or a seasoned pro, this section is designed to support you with clear, evidence-based guidance on everything from choosing the right seat to day-to-day safety tips. We’ll help you feel confident and empowered to make the safest choices for your child - without the jargon.

Rear Facing

As parents, we want to make the best choices for our children - especially when it comes to their safety. One of the most important decisions you’ll make for travel is how long your child stays rear-facing in the car.

Young children’s heads are large and heavy, and their necks and spines are still developing. In a forward-facing seat, a crash can throw the head forward suddenly, putting enormous strain on the neck. Rear-facing seats offer far better protection by cradling the head, neck and spine - spreading the crash forces more safely across the body.

While the law allows forward-facing from 15 months in some seats, this is a minimum, not a recommendation. Leading experts - including the NHS, RoSPA, and Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) - advise keeping children rear-facing until at least age 4, but ideally up to 125cm or 36kg (often age 6-7) in extended rear-facing (ERF) seats.

It might not be the “norm” you see around you, but the science is clear: rear-facing significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death in a crash.

It’s one of the simplest, most powerful ways to protect your child - and you’re doing an amazing job by exploring it!

Choosing a safe seat

BeSafe Beyond modular system. One isofix base (Beyond Base), one infant carrier (Go Beyond) and one toddler seat (Beyond)

The safest car seat isn’t always the most expensive or the one with the best reviews - it’s the one that best fits your child, your car, and your lifestyle.

Start by checking your child’s height and weight, not their age. Every seat has limits set in centimetres or kilograms, and once your child exceeds either, it’s time to move to a new seat. Using centiles from your child’s red book is important to help you choose a seat that lasts safely.

Always make sure the seat fits securely in your car. Some cars have under-floor storage boxes or short seatbelts that affect installation, so try the seat before you buy if possible.

Look for seats that go beyond the legal minimum, such as those from reputable brands, and ideally one that has passed the Swedish Plus Test.

Finally, choose a seat you can use confidently every day - if it’s easy for you to fit, adjust and install, you’re more likely to use it correctly every time.

An Avionaut Cosmo installed with the vehicle seatbelt

Installing your car seat

A correctly fitted seat is just as important as choosing the right one. Even the best car seat can’t protect properly if it isn’t installed securely.

Always start with your car and seat manuals - they show exactly how that model should be fitted. Follow every step carefully and double-check all fixings before travel.

If you use ISOFIX, make sure both arms click fully into place and that any indicators turn green. The support leg must rest flat on the floor and not on an under-floor storage box unless the manufacturer allows it.

If your seat uses the vehicle seatbelt, thread the belt exactly as shown in the instructions, keeping it flat and untwisted. Pull it tight so there’s little or no movement at the belt path.

YouTube can be a great source of visual installation guides - just be sure to watch videos from the official brand channel or a trained retailer, as methods vary between models.

Many specialist brands such as Axkid, Avionaut, BeSafe, Britax Römer, and TinySeats require retailers to complete specific training and to provide fitting support at the time of purchase. This ensures your seat is installed correctly from day one.

Fitting your child

A well-fitted harness is just as important as a well-fitted seat. Even the safest car seat can’t protect properly if your child isn’t secured correctly.

Always remove thick coats, snowsuits and padded clothing before putting your child in their seat. Bulky layers create slack in the harness and stop it from tightening properly. Instead, use a blanket or pop a coat on backwards over the harness once they’re strapped in.

The harness should be snug - you shouldn’t be able to pinch the webbing at the shoulder. Check that the straps are flat and untwisted, and that the chest and shoulder pads sit comfortably on the body.

For rear-facing seats, general guidance is for the straps should be level with or just below your child’s shoulders, though this can vary so always check your seat manual.

Make sure the headrest supports your child’s head without pushing it forward. If the seat reclines, adjust it so their head doesn’t flop when sleeping.

Check your child’s fit regularly - as they grow, you may need to raise the harness or remove inserts to keep the fit correct and comfortable.