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Holding Icon Booster Seats Buyers Guide

When your child gets a little older, it'll be time for them to sit in a booster seat when travelling in the car. There are quite a lot of booster seats there for parents to choose from - luckily you can use this handy Halfords' buyer's guide for help picking the right one.

Your child will have to use their booster seat until they're around 12, so take time to look through the range available and make your decision carefully. Safety is paramount, but you'll also want to consider things like convenience and budget - read on to find out more.

Booster Seats Buyers Guide

WHAT IS A BOOSER SEAT?

A booster seat is a type of child restraint that's designed to be used once your little one has outgrown their infant car seat.

In the event of a crash, an adult seat belt alone won't fully protect small children. Child booster seats help to raise the child up, so that the car's seat belt fits properly across their pelvis and shoulders, offering the best support and protection.

The law states that children must use their booster seat until they have reached the height of 135cm, or 12 years of age, whichever comes first.


TYPES OF BOOSTER SEAT

There are two main types of booster seat:

High-back booster seats - Will protect your child's head in the event of a side impact. They also provide more comfort and height, and often feature extras like headrests, seat arms and drinks holders.

The majority of booster seats are Group 2-3, meaning that they are suitable for kids aged approximately 4-12 years old or 15-36kg in weight.

There are also many Group 1-2-3 seats available, which can be used from 9 months all the way up to 12 years (9-36kg). These allow you to secure your baby in a 5-point safety harness, then convert it to a booster seat when they reach the age of 4.
Backless booster seats (sometimes called booster cushions) - Less bulky and more portable. However we would always recommend a high-back booster, because of the added safety advantages.

FEATURES TO LOOK OUT FOR ON A BOOSTER SEAT

The first and most important thing to consider when choosing between car booster seats is safety. Check that the seat will fit properly into your car - staff at your local Halfords will be more than happy to help with this. Once you're satisfied, look out for some of these features:

  • Adjustable headrest - Means the seat can grow with your child
  • Side impact protection - Offers extra protection in a crash
  • ISOFIX - A safety system that reduces the risk of incorrect fitting. Check first that your car has ISOFIX connection points installed.
  • Drinks holders - Helps to prevent spillages
  • Seat belt guides - Assists with fitting
  • Reclining position - Added comfort for kids who like to snooze!

BOOSTER SEATS FITTED FREE AT HALFORDS

At Halfords we have a massive variety of booster seats from top brands like Maxi Cosi, Recaro and Britax. One benefit of buying your child booster from Halfords is that we will fit it professionally into your car, totally free of charge.

Our fitters are trained to standards accredited by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). They will even give you a free 16-point safety demo, so you can fit your own seat with confidence the next time.

What's more, we offer a lowest price guarantee on all our child seats. You can reserve your seat online and collect from your local store, or buy online for home delivery - order today.

RandC

FAQs Car Seats FAQs

  • The average child travels 5,000 miles per year in a car.

    Child car seats, booster seats and booster cushions offer vital protection for a safer journey. Using adult seatbelts alone, for children under 135cm in height, will put your child at higher risk of injury, in particular to the chest, lungs, abdomen and spine, in comparison to a purpose built child car seat or booster.

  • It's not just the age of your child that you have to consider when choosing a child car seat.

    You will also have to consider their weight and height, and which seat provides the most secure fit in your car. You should also think about whether your baby or child will be taking long or short journeys and if you will need to transfer your child car seat from one car to another.

    Halfords has over 2,800 trained child car seat specialists in stores nationwide to help you choose the right seat for your child and your car. Take a look at our online guide to child seats for more information.

  • Yes, Halfords has over 2,800 trained child car seat specialists in stores nationwide to help you choose the right seat for your child and your car, and fit it for you for FREE.

    Leading industry experts and child seat manufacturers have trained our in-store specialists to a very high standard. We can help you choose the best child car seat for your child, and check its suitability for your vehicle. Once we have fitted the car seat FREE of charge, we will show you how to fit the car seat yourself to make sure you fully understand how it works. We will then take you through our 16-point fitting administration safety checklist so that you can drive away with complete peace of mind.

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