Buying the best car seat for your child

By Ané Theron

Bamboozled as to which car seat to empty your pocket on? Car seats have become hugely expensive, but when it comes to your child’s life, a proper car seat shouldn’t be a grudge purchase.

In the past, manufacturers of car seats used a child’s weight to classify the size they would require. In reality, the height of a is child is a much more accurate way to ascertain whether the seat is the correct size. According to the AA, we should use the latest European ‘i-Size’ measuring guide:

• Up to 80cm -  rear facing;
• 80 to 105cm - forward facing with five-point harness;
• 105cm to 135cm - booster seat with seat belt of the car.

However, people are finally waking up to the fact that rear-facing car seats are five times safer than forward-facing car seats. There are currently very few car seats in South Africa that allow for rear-facing up to 25kg (more-or-less the size of a six-year-old). Also, these extendable rear seats that are suitable for older children also don’t fit in every car.

Safety regulations

The bare minimum in terms of car seat safety, are ECE R44/04 regulations.

Car seats that conform to the i-Size EU standards are subjected to more stringent testing - in other words, these would be the seats you want for you child. However, just like we can’t all afford to drive a Volvo, neither can we afford the Volvo-equivalent of car seats, and any basic seat (which is correctly installed) is probably better than none at all, if it fits the child correctly. That said, you’d be hard-pressed finding a new car seat for under R700 that will offer sufficient protection.

A seat with an energy-absorbing shell that has been side-impact tested will protect your child the best. It should have a durable, padded cover that isn’t rocket science to remove and to replace. Even an incorrectly re-installed cover can compromise a car seat’s effectiveness.

Parent24.com says: “The seat should have a 5-point harness (two shoulder straps, two waist straps, and one strap between the legs that meet in the middle). It should have head protection and side-impact protection (extra foam or air pads at the side of your child's head), and be SABS and ECE certified.”

What about Isofix?

These days, most new cars have Isofix anchorage points. Isofix car seats and bases have 3 Isofix points, consisting of 2 Isofix connectors that fit on the metal clips at the base of the vehicle seat, and a top tether.

The benefits of having an Isofix car seat is that it’s so much easier to install  because of its plug-in system: You just pull out the Isofix connectors on the car seat and push the connectors into the Isofix guides - until you hear a ‘click’. Usually the indicator panels on the side will be green if fitted correctly. Isofix seats are generally more pricey, but if you can afford it, it will save you a lot of frustration.

Trusted Brands

There is a wide range of car seats available, but we can recommend the following brands. i-Size seats have also become widely available in South Africa. Click here https://www.4akid.co.za/13-best-new-car-seats-2017/ for a list of trusted seats - but bear in mind that they don’t come cheap.

My own, personal experience…

On the Easter weekend of 2010, we survived a terrible crash near Bredasdorp in the Western Cape.  Our car was immediately written off, and had my kids not been safely strapped into their seats (my son in his Maxi-Cosi Tobi and my daughter in her Graco booster seat), they would probably not be here today.

Not in a position to afford a new seat at all?

Wheel Well do their best to supply a seat to those who don’t have the means to buy one, and will also advise you on the correct fitment. Visit www.wheelwell.co.za

Also visit www.olx.co.za for a used seat - you wouldn't believe the bargains they have on good-condition, pre-loved car seats.