With so much information available, particularly online, choosing the right child restraint can be a daunting task. 

RACQ’s Education Lead Louise Hart has nominated her top five tips for choosing the right child restraint.

1. Know the law

When driving with children up to seven years of age, you must ensure they’re restrained in an Australian Standard (AS) approved child restraint that’s properly fastened, adjusted and appropriate for their age and size. So, to avoid copping a $1,161 fine and gaining four demerit points, make sure your restraint has an AS sticker.

Bonus tip: You should only move your child into the next restraint type when their shoulders go past the maximum height marker on the restraint and they’re no longer comfortable in the seat. 

2. Check your car

Before installing, check your vehicle owner’s manual to locate the correct child restraint anchor points for the top tether strap, being careful not to confuse them with luggage fixing points. If your child restraint is ISOFIX compatible, check the vehicle’s manual to see if your car has ISOFIX low anchorages. If it doesn’t, you will need to use the vehicle’s seatbelt to install the child restraint.

3. Do your research

If you’re struggling to find your way through the mountain of information available online, or you don’t know where to start, here are some credible Australian resources.

• Child restraints | StreetSmarts - Queensland Government (initiatives.qld.gov.au)
• Child Restraint Guidelines | kidsafe Australia (You can even pay for Kidsafe to install the restraint for you).

Also, it’s handy to check the return policy as some restraints may not be able to be returned, particularly if you are purchasing online.

4. Specific features

When you’re looking for the perfect restraint, consider how you will use it and what features you should look for. Will it need to be taken out often and moved between vehicles? Do you need a restraint with an adjustable headrest, impact cushioning or an extended rear-facing capability? Make sure you decide what is crucial to your child’s safety.

5. Second-hand or new?

If you do decide to use a second-hand child restraint, it’s important to ensure you know the full history and trust the previous owner. Ensure it is no more than 10 years old (from the manufacture date), it has never been involved in a car crash and that it does not have any faulty parts. By guaranteeing these safety checks have been ticked off, you can be certain you are not compromising your child’s safety.

The best piece of advice is remembering to always read the manual and make sure you regularly clean, maintain and adjust your child restraint so it does the job it is designed to do – keep your child safe.

For our top tips on how to install a child seat correctly, check out this video.