Safety Out and About
It’s not just in the home that safety matters, it’s just as important when you go out and about with your baby. On this page you will find guidelines for finding the right pushchair and car seats for your child and ensuring their safety as they explore the world!
Pushchairs
Brakes
All pushchairs should have brakes, but in general brakes on two wheels are better than one. Check that the brakes work effectively and are easy to apply.
Locking Devices
Pushchairs should have two locking devices to hold them securely when being used. Once the main lock has been released in order to collapse your pushchair, the secondary lock should be activated to stop the pushchair from collapsing straight away. The pushchair should not be able to collapse whilst your child is still sitting in it.
Check that there are no areas where your child's fingers could get caught in the collapsing mechanism.
Safety Harness
It is best to buy a pushchair with a five-point safety harness, rather than a three-point version. The five-point harness should fit over your child's shoulders, as well as around his waist, and between his legs. All children, including newborns, need to wear a harness while in their pushchair.
Most pushchairs have their own safety harness built in, but if yours doesn't, you will need to buy one separately. The buckles on the safety harness should be easy for you to clip together and undo, and the belt should fit snugly round your baby's waist. There should be no tears in the straps, and the harness should have firm connections.
Stability
Check the stability of the pushchair and see if it will tip over easily. A wide-based pushchair will have greater stability than a narrow-based one, so opt for this where possible.
No matter how stable the pushchair is, remember not to overload the back of it with shopping bags. Even the most balanced pushchair can tip if there is too much weight at the back.
Weight Limit
Pushchairs, prams, strollers, and buggies all have a weight limit. Make sure that you know what it is. Putting a child that is too heavy in the pushchair may make it very unstable. If your pushchair was designed for only one child, it is best not to use it to carry more than one.
Footrest
If you are thinking of buying a double pushchair, check that it comes with a single footrest that runs along both seats. Children can get their legs caught between individual footrests.
Second-hand Pushchairs
If you are considering buying a second-hand pushchair, ensure that it has the following:
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a sturdy, rigid frame with no dents, corrosion, or sharp edges
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wheels that are not damaged or wobbly
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brakes that engage fully and easily
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intact material on the seat
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two working locking mechanisms
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intact, five-point harness
Car Seats
When buying a child seat, it must be suitable for your child’s weight and height and be correctly fitted according to the manufacturer’s instructions. To find out which child seat group is the right one for your child, have a look on the table above. If you are unable to view the table click here for our accessible version
Other things to think about:
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Ask the retailer if the child seat is suitable for your child and car. Try to find one who will help you try the seat in your car before you buy it.
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Ask whether they have staff trained in choosing and fitting child car seats, and try to make sure you are advised by a staff member who has been trained.
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If this is not possible, make sure that you can return the seat, and replace it or get a refund, if it is not suitable.
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Avoid buying a child seat online or by mail order, unless you are sure that it is suitable for your child and will fit your car.
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Check that the seat meets the United Nations standard Regulation 44.04 - look for the 'E' mark or it meets the new i-size standard (R129).
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Do not buy a second-hand seat, you cannot be certain of its history (it may have been involved in an accident) and even if it looks fine, it may have internal damage that is not visible to the naked eye. The instructions are often missing with second-hand seats.
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Second-hand seats are likely to be older and not designed to current standards. This means that they will provide less protection for your child.
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Only accept a child seat from a family member or friend, if you are absolutely certain that you know its history, it comes with the original instructions and it is not too old.
Before you buy:
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Avoid 2nd hand car seats, you cannot be sure of their history.
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Research & Prioritise Safety. All seats must pass minimum standards of safety some manufacturers test way beyond these standards
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Get independent advice If not from Child Seat Safety then contact your local authority road safety team. Many have been through the IOSH course or can direct you to someone who is experienced
At the point of sale
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Ask for the car seat expert in store to serve you. Ask what qualifications they have. If they are IOSH approved in Child Seat Safety Awareness they should be able to provide you with their accreditation number.
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If they aren’t available ask for an appointment
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Where possible make sure your IOSH expert shows you how to fit the seat in your car. This avoids confusion & should give you confidence to fit the seat correctly yourself
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Don’t worry if you haven’t done this. Car seat fitting clinics occur across the country so drop in & get your car seat checked