Car Seat Safety
NCMA (National Childminding Association) is recommending that car seats are not rented out as part of an equipment loan scheme as it is hard to track the seats history.
If a childminder has an accident, the police would as a matter of course, check the car seat. If it was found that the car seat had a fault or had not been correctly fitted then this could effect the childminders insurance and possibly leave them open to prosecution.
Childminders should:
- Check child car seats regularly for wear and tear. In the event of an accident replace your car seat as damage may not be visible.
- Infant carriers have a three-point harness. Before each journey, check that straps aren't twisted and they're properly adjusted to allow for the thickness of the babies clothes. They should be tight enough for the baby to be comfortable.
- Never use an infant carrier or child car seat on a passenger seat fitted with an airbag.
- If left in the sun, a seat's metal parts could burn your child.
- The base of the carrier or child seat should be in contact with the car seat at all points to give good stability.
- Follow the manufacturers fitting instructions exactly. When properly fitted, the seat should support the child well.
- Never leave children in the car unattended.
Childminders should preferably purchase new car seats when they start childminding, second hand car seats should be avoided unless their full history is known and the seat has had a full safety check.
The reasons buying a second hand child's car seat are not advisable are as follows:
- You are unlikely to to get a seat made to the latest safety standard ECE R44.03 - the improvements are worth paying for.
- You may not get a copy of the instructions - these are vital if you are to fit the seat correctly.
- There may be important safety components missing.
- The seat may have been damaged in an accident, damage is not always obvious to the untrained eye.
For further information you can send off for free leaflets.
A child's safety is worth every penny, published by the Baby Products Association (BPA), FREEPOST, ANG 5097, Vicarage Road, Pitstone, Bedfordshire, LU7 9ZZ (no stamp required)
Seat belts and child restraints, published by the Department for Transport, Local Government and Regions (DTLR), PO Box 236, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7NB.
