Child Restraints (Baby Car Seats)

• By admin
• 23/12/2013
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Child Restraint (Baby Car seats) Information.

Child restrains, Baby Car seats

Safety belts are designed for adult bodies, a child under the age of 7 years old must be in a child in an approved child restraint / Car seat.

Approved child restraints include:

– infant restraints for young babies (infant capsules), they are commonly used from birth to a maximum of 1 year of age.
– restraints for older babies and toddlers (convertible car seat). The convertible car seats are commonly used from birth (rear facing) till approximately 3.5 to 5 years of age (depends on the capability of each seat). On the most common seats, the convertible car seat is faced forward facing at the age of 1 year (usually up to 9Kgs) till 3.5 to 5 years.
– harnesses and booster seats for preschool and school-aged children, from approximately 4 to 10 years of age

The type of child restraint you need to use depends on the age and size of the child. The seat must be certified to one of 3 standards and suitable for the age, weight, height and physical development of the child.

1. Australian/New Zealand standard AS/NZS1754. This can be identified by the Australian “tick” mark, models of the Safe and Sound  baby car seats are approved for Australian / NZ standard.
2. US standard FMVSS213. Restraints that comply with this standard must show the number FMVSS213. They carry the “S” mark to show they have been certified for use in New Zealand. The most popular brand / models that comes to mind is the Safety 1st and Cosco baby Car seats.
3. European standard ECE R44.04 This is labelled with a circle containing an “E” (the number in the circle varies depending on the European country where the seat’s manufactured). They are available in a broader models / brands, the most common is the Juniors & Super Nanny Baby Car seats range available at Babies.co.nz

Please make sure that you read the instruction manual relating to your child seat. This will explain how to tell when a child has outgrown it. When your child outgrows their restraint, it’s time to move them into a model of restraint that is suitable for a larger child.