Choosing the right child restraint

1. Your car
Check that your vehicle is suitable for installing child restraints, always refer to your vehicle’s manual. Does it have anchor points and how many? Does it have Isofix? Will it accommodate your future family plans?2. The law
All child restraints must comply with the Australian Standards (AS/NZS 1754). Restraints imported from overseas do not comply and cannot be used in Australia. Check that it carries the Australian Standard sticker.3. Research
Research as much as you can but ensure you look at credible Australian resources. A good place to start is childcarseats.com.au.4. Types of restraints
There are many different categories of restraints on the market – dedicated rear-facing, forward-facing only, a combination of the two and booster seats.5. Ease of use
Consider the daily use of your child restraint – will it need to be taken out often and installed in another vehicle? This may determine the features you should look for.6. Specific features
Consider any specific features of the child restraint, including Adjustable Head Rest (AHR), Isofix, side impact cushioning and extended rear-facing capability. Decide what is important for your child’s safety.7. Second hand or new?
Unless you know the full history and trust the previous owner, purchasing a new restraint ensures it has not been damaged in any accidents. Due to advances in safety and general wear and tear, we would also recommend that a child restraint has a 10-year life span from the date of manufacture.8. No return policy
Once you have taken a restraint out of its packaging, it may not be able to be returned. Use any “try before you buy” schemes or ask about the returns policy, especially if you are purchasing online.9. Installation
Once you have purchased your restraint it is worth thinking about having it installed by a certified fitter. If you choose not to, always refer to the vehicle and child restraint instruction manuals for how to do this correctly.10. Accessories
Aftermarket accessories are not recommended unless specifically advised or provided by the manufacturer.
Remember to always refer to the manufacturer’s manual and make sure you regularly clean, maintain and adjust your child restraint so it can do the job it is designed to do – keep your child safe.
For more information about the RACQ Kids & Cars program, please call 1300 853 658.
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Things to note
The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.