In this section we have aimed to provide advice and guidelines for use of child seats, booster seats and cushions so that you can be sure that your child is as safe as possible while you are on the road.

The table below gives some general guidelines to child safety seats and appropriate age ranges. Note that this is a general guide and that you should refer to the specific packaging of a product in order to determine its suitability for your child.

Diva tips for in car safety with seat belts and seat belts

• Never purchase a baby seat, child seat and booster seat or cushion that does not carry the UN ‘E’ mark or BS Kitemark.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when fitting a child restraint to your car.
• Try fitting the child restraint to your car before purchase. Check that it fits snugly and securely, without too much forwards or sideways movement. Make sure that the seat belt buckle does not rest on the frame of the restraint.
• It is best not to purchase second-hand child restraints which may be damaged and are unlikely to meet safety standards.
• Baby seats facing towards the rear of the car are generally safer than those that face forwards. However, rear-facing seats should never be used when airbags are fitted in front of the seat as these could cause damage to the child in case of an accident.
• It has been proven that it is slightly safer to use child safety seats in the rear, rather than the front, of the car.
• Some baby seats available can be converted into forward-facing child seats, hence lengthening its life span and saving you money.
• If no child restraint is available to a child under the age of three then it is generally accepted that it is safer for them to use an adult seat belt in the back seat as opposed to nothing at all.
• If you are pregnant then you are still legally required to use a seat belt, unless your doctor has certified exemption. The belt might not be particularly comfortable but it will dramatically improve the safety of both you and your unborn baby.
• Never put a seat belt around more than one person.
• Seat belts that fasten diagonally and across the lap are safer than those that fasten only across the lap.
• Drivers and passengers in the front seats should sit as far as is reasonably possible away from the front seat.