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Holding Icon Child Car Seat Buyer's Guide

There's loads for parents to think about when buying a child car seat. To help get you started, take a look at the Halfords child car seats buyer's guide.

Buying a child car seat is an important purchase that you'll be using for several years, so take the time to look through the different models available. Picking the right one goes a long way towards less stressful journeys - read on to find out more.

Child Car Seat Buyer's Guide

WHAT ARE CHILD CAR SEATS?

The term 'child car seat' is often used to describe all car seats for children. However, in this article we're going to focus mainly on Group 1 car seats, which are designed for children that are no longer tiny babies, but are also too small to use a booster seat.

Group 1 car seats are usually forward-facing seats, which are appropriate for kids aged around 9 months to 4 years (or between 9kg to 18kg in weight). They can be used in both the front and rear of the car. However, don't use it in the front if you have an airbag, as this could endanger the child if it is activated.

Your child is secured into the seat using a safety harness, and the seat itself is installed into the car using the seatbelt or the car's ISOFIX system. The seat will help to protect your little one from serious injury or death in the event of a crash - that's why it's the law to use one.

Once your kid reaches 18kg in weight, it's time to move them on to a booster seat - take a look at our booster seats buyer's guide for more guidance on this.

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A CHILD CAR SEAT

Your first consideration should always be safety. It's vital to choose a seat that's appropriate for the size and weight of your child, and that will fit properly into your car.

The product descriptions and manufacturer's guidelines should tell you the information that you need to know, but if you need some extra help, call into your local Halfords. The staff there will be able to offer you expert guidance on choosing and fitting a child car seat.

If your child will be travelling in more than one car - such as your partner's or the grandparents' - then you must ensure that the seat is compatible with each car.



FEATURES TO LOOK OUT FOR ON CHILDRENS CAR SEATS

Once you're sure that a seat is suitable for your car and child, look out for some of these factors:

  • Convenience - how easy is it to place in and out of the car?
  • Ease of use - is it simple to put your child in and secure the harness?
  • Reclining mechanism and padding - helps your child to sleep
  • Side impact protection - added safety in a crash
  • Adjustable headrest/harness - can grow with your kid
  • Removable covers - easier to wash

For added security, choose an ISOFIX seat, which offers a rigid connection between the car and the seat, and lowers the chance of incorrect fitting.

Check first whether your car has ISOFIX points installed - this is usually in the car's handbook, or you can look for the ISOFIX tags on the rear seats. See our guide to ISOFIX for more information.

CHILD CAR SEATS ONLINE AT HALFORDS

Halfords has a wide variety of Group 1 child seats on offer, including top brands like Maxi Cosi and Britax, and great value options such as Pampero. Our car seats are available to reserve and collect, or to buy online for home delivery.

We also have many combination seats (Groups 0+1 and Groups 1-2-3) available, which can adapt as your child grows through different stages. We offer a lowest price guarantee on car seats, so take a look at our range today.

What's more, we provide free fitting on all our childrens car seats in-store. Our professional fitters will install your seat and give you a free 16-point safety demo so you can do it yourself.

We're the only major retailer to have our fitting training accredited by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, so you can be sure your child is in good hands with Halfords.

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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