Child Safety Restraints

[mido2k]

Hey All,
I have searched but only found info in a 2year old manufacturers thread, so i'll put it out there..

Having a 6 month old baby, and more and more people having babies/kids, i wanted to get some info from all you "RESPONSIBLE" parents out there....

I currently have my Baby seat located behind the passenger so that i can view over my shoulder if she is ok.... That was my logic...
The guy at the RTA Certified Child & Safety restarint station said it made no difference where he puts the seat as long as its fitted properly which IMHO it is, as being a slightly chunky man, i can't make it budge....

So, where do you have your seats located? Did you have them proffesionally installed? Do you have them checked annually? Is there any other maintenance you do on them?

Reason i ask, is you can't be too careful, and nothing is more important than her safety... Heck she is the reason i get up in the morning and come to Hell.....

My applogies if already posted, but i replied to a thread earlier than was in the Holden Man section, and didnt realise till after i posted..... i know what a tool.......

[Peter B - CV8]

Yes, behind the passenger side seat is best. This means that you will be standing on the kerb/gutter when seating & unseating your young 'un - a far safer spot than standing on the road.

[mido2k]

Yes, behind the passenger side seat is best. This means that you will be standing on the kerb/gutter when seating & unseating your young 'un - a far safer spot than standing on the road.

Of late a lot of people have mentioned that it should be in the middle seat, but im always paranoid as its not a HQ kingo with a Bench Lounge in the front.....

Thanks for your comments ;)

[NickS]

We have one seat on each side ... otherwise they just fight all the time. Got the seat professionally installed the first time, almost 5 years ago, and got them to show me what they did. I can know fit a seat so that if you grab it and yank bank and forth it barely moves a mm. Some of the baby / toddler seat installations I have seen are downright scary, the seat would shift 30cm side to side if you pull / push it ... very dangerous !!!

[mido2k]

We have one seat on each side ... otherwise they just fight all the time. Got the seat professionally installed the first time, almost 5 years ago, and got them to show me what they did. I can know fit a seat so that if you grab it and yank bank and forth it barely moves a mm. Some of the baby / toddler seat installations I have seen are downright scary, the seat would shift 30cm side to side if you pull / push it ... very dangerous !!!

A friend told us he had his seat installed proffesionally, after the accident it was proved otherwise, all that was done, was the seat belt was put thru it the wrong way, and the anchor point was actually just a nut and bolt thru the particle board parcel tray...

Thus why my concern.....


And Nick, ive seen and asked how they had them installed, which he showed me, but apparently, NSW wont provide insurance $$$$ for injuries to a child in a seat without the RTA receipt from registered installer of such product... have u heard about this before??

[NickS]

And Nick, ive seen and asked how they had them installed, which he showed me, but apparently, NSW wont provide insurance $$$$ for injuries to a child in a seat without the RTA receipt from registered installer of such product... have u heard about this before??
That must be a part of this new thing were the cost of green slips has gone up to cover medical costs for children ???

Not sure really, but I did get a receipt the first time. Problem is that I have put the seats in and out that many times that there is no way I would go back to an RTA person every time, I reckon I actually put them in better than the person that showed me how to do it now. I also have private health insurance so am not particularly fussed with anything the government supposedly provides, if it is ever required I would want them in a private hospital anyway.

I guess if you have the receipt once there is no way they could prove if you have taken the seat out and then put it back in again ???

[mido2k]

That must be a part of this new thing were the cost of green slips has gone up to cover medical costs for children ???

Not sure really, but I did get a receipt the first time. Problem is that I have put the seats in and out that many times that there is no way I would go back to an RTA person every time, I reckon I actually put them in better than the person that showed me how to do it now. I also have private health insurance so am not particularly fussed with anything the government supposedly provides, if it is ever required I would want them in a private hospital anyway.

I guess if you have the receipt once there is no way they could prove if you have taken the seat out and then put it back in again ???


I dont get it either dude, But as im sure you would agree, ya Kids safety is the most important thing when travelling in your car..

Also, the Insurance thing was in February, so it was before all the new laws and changes....

[SSBarney]

I know its not possible with two child seats, but I have my child seat in the middle of the back seat. My logic being that she is less likely to get hit in an accident. If the car gets TBoned from either side she should be safer in the middle.
Dont know what i do with that logic when the next baby comes along in Feb:confused:

[TUFFIE]

I know its not possible with two child seats, but I have my child seat in the middle of the back seat. My logic being that she is less likely to get hit in an accident. If the car gets TBoned from either side she should be safer in the middle.
Dont know what i do with that logic when the next baby comes along in Feb:confused:

I have done a training course in the fitting of such restraints and if it a single seat it is reccommended to be fitted in the centre of the rear of the car as this is the safest position in the car. If there are two seats like I have then there is no choice but to have them on either side.
Any passenger vehicle (excluding some dual cab vehicles) manufactured after 1987 I think must have an appropriate bolt fitted to allow for the fitting of a child restraint.

[VYMaloo]

We had ours fitted on the passenger side by a certified installer , were told it was compulsory in NSW to have the RTA certificate in case of accident , also some hospitals won't let you take bub home until they see the certificate . On another point were advised by an ambo driver to put the seat behind the driver because in a purely "reflex " reaction in an accident the driver will swerve vehicle to save themself most times , don't know if it's true or not but imo it would be a hassle unloading the baby on the traffic side of the car .

[swingtan]

Hmm.... getting a certificate to prove the seat has been installed by a professional ? Sounds crazy to me. As has been mentioned, what do you do if you take the seat out to clean the car ? Lets face it, any parent here will tell you that the seat will have to come out regularly for cleaning :spew:

I wonder if it refers to the "mounting" points in the vehicle? This I can understand as I've heard a few stories of the bolt only going into the particle board and not the steel parcel shelf.

For my kids, the choice was...


1-Seat: Centered, gave the greatest chance of survival in a side impact assuming a 50/50 split on which side would get hit.
2-Seats: One each side, with the younger child on the passenger side under the belief and older child had a better chance of survival in an off-set head on crash.


It comes across as being pretty cold and heartless when I read back, but I was just trying to pick the greatest odds that the kids would survive if the worst happened. Just remember it won't make much of a difference if you don't drive safely as well though......

[mido2k]

The passenger rear it will stay for now...
Thanks everyone for your input i really appreciate it...

You all deserve a pat on the back and a cold one ;)

[Ghia351]

During our antenatal classes back in '04 we actually had a senior Holden marketing exec in the group and she discussed the research undertaken by Holden where the best place for the child safety seat was obviously the centre rear seat position. This also allowed you, if need be, to get into the car from both sides and close the doors. Should add no-one in the class was having twins. Interestingly she also mentioned that looking back over your shoulder at your child had been the cause of quite a few accidents and suggested a second rear view mirror so that you still had most of your attention in the forward direction.

[jaykay]

Saw a scary thing yesterday. A child in a Pajero 4wd in it's seat without the belt on !! The kid got out of the seat to press the window button to put the window up and then climbed back in.

The amount of kids I see sitting in the front and rear of cars without car seats or even seat belts on is frightening.

Some parents are just plain stupid... :(

[silvervyss]

I know its not possible with two child seats, but I have my child seat in the middle of the back seat. My logic being that she is less likely to get hit in an accident. If the car gets TBoned from either side she should be safer in the middle.
Dont know what i do with that logic when the next baby comes along in Feb:confused:

Came up with the same conclusion; plus the kid gets a better view. As for installing two seats, the only thing i can think off, is to drive with more caution (eg : not overtaking cars at round-a-bouts, which i usually do at the the sunbury exit off calder).

[PFR]

During our antenatal classes back in '04 we actually had a senior Holden marketing exec in the group and she discussed the research undertaken by Holden where the best place for the child safety seat was obviously the centre rear seat position. This also allowed you, if need be, to get into the car from both sides and close the doors. Should add no-one in the class was having twins. Interestingly she also mentioned that looking back over your shoulder at your child had been the cause of quite a few accidents and suggested a second rear view mirror so that you still had most of your attention in the forward direction.

We were advised the same and installed a convex mirror below the rearview mirror to keep an eye on him and when number two cam along installed her seat on the passenger side, then if you do have to put a child in from the traffic side you can get in and close the door.

If they fight then the Wiggles get turned off!!!!!!

[BlAcKbEtTy]

Another vote for middle of back seat. Our little man just turned 6 months today and we turned his seat around last week so that it faces forward.

As a few have mentioned seems to be alot safer in the event of an accident, and because he is so inquisitive at the moment I think he enjoys having a good view of what's going on.

We had the seat installed professionally on both occasions (initially and to face forward) by a racv accrediated installer. It's about $20 and they put it in tighter than I think I ever could. Good for piece of mind and they show you how to do it.

[mido2k]

Its interesting the number of people who say left, right middle and so forth, and its very confusing...

As mentioned before, i do appreciate everyones input, as its interesting to see what other members have been told...

Im now tossing up weather or not to change the seats location, i guess i will talk it over with the wife, but i must say baby is happy where she is....

[Black_Utester]

From the RTA website.

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/restraintschildrestraints/childrestraints/index.html

No mention about RTA receipts. Centre is best in the rear.

[commodoreking]

Here's a link to Holden's child safety brochure...
http://www.holden.com.au//images/sc18_downloads/brochures/ChildSafety.pdf

[KingClifton]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned ISOFIX. ISOFIX is the European standard for car seats and will eventually be adopted in Australia. Many European cars are now coming with ISOFIX mounts. They are fixings between the rear seat cushion and seat back that are attached direct to the vehicle bodywork. It is far superior to the 1970s nonsense that is the ADR standard.

Recaro make some fantastic car seats (Young Profi caught my eye - A$250 shipped to Australia) and the local importer is currently lobbying to have ISOFIX approved for Australia.

I know that ADR is to be phased out in favor of Euro compliance standards, so hopefully that will not take all that long. Still too late for me as the little one is due in a few weeks so I had to buy a Safe-n-Sound which hopefully will be adequate. Still, having seen footage of traditional vs ISOFIX seats in a simulated accident, the ISOFIX is streets ahead.

[BarneyG]

Great thread this one!

I have just become a father to beautiful baby girl, unfortunately our current car is an Astra SRI 3-door, If the child seat goes in the middle the drivers seat is so forward that me knee's are crushed against the dashboard:(

The only way possible for our child seat is behind the front passenger seat. I totally agree that the safest is in the middle, hence why we are shopping at the moment for a 'soccer mum' car ie a SUV soft-roader.:)

[VT-099]

If they fight then the Wiggles get turned off!!!!!!

Haha so true, until mummy broke the tape and threw it out the window :eek:

And I thought I was supposed to be the cranky one :lol:
Drive time is a boring affair now :sleep:

[TUFFIE]

Great thread this one!

I have just become a father to beautiful baby girl, unfortunately our current car is an Astra SRI 3-door, If the child seat goes in the middle the drivers seat is so forward that me knee's are crushed against the dashboard:(

The only way possible for our child seat is behind the front passenger seat. I totally agree that the safest is in the middle, hence why we are shopping at the moment for a 'soccer mum' car ie a SUV soft-roader.:)

Watch out for the SUV's do some research first as most have a tendancy to fall over when involved in anything more than a moderate impact.

[Black AH CDX]

ISOFIX isn't legal in Australia yet, even though it is a far better system than what we have now.

Best position is in the middle. That way they are the furthest from any possible impact.

And in NSW you must have a certificate to say that your child seat is installed properly because 70% of them are not. I've known of ppl who have gone to pick up their new-borns from hospital and haven't been able to because the hospital wanted to see the certificate first

[mido2k]

Im sure all states have different ruling, and i knew that there would be a lot of questions posed re: the NSW RTA Child Seat Installation receipt.

Im in a similar position to BarneyG where due to my height, it is impossible to have the baby seat in the middle of the back seat, which is why it is behind the passenger seat, and also, there is no crawling in and out to get the baby in the middle seat. I think it was Nick that mentioned before it also enables a "Kerb Side" entry to the vehicle.....

I will see if i can get a minute to run over the road from work today and ask them @ the RTA if there is any "Rulings" regarding baby seat and or capsule installations.

[Haggy]

Has anyone any experience with baby seats and Wagons?
I have a 2004 VY II Acclaim Wagon - some stuff i have read talks about not fitting the seat to the middle given the ability of the belts to slip between the seats.

Any thoughts/experience?

Regards
chris

[Brandonsdad]

In the middle is the best spot. If you get hit on either side of the car your little one would be well protected. Plus you can get them in and out from any side of the car quite easily. If youre in a car park and theres not enough room on one side then use the other side. If its pouring with rain you can use whichever door is closer and jump in as well. More comfortable for 2 passengers sitting in the back, as no one has to sit in the middle and be cramped up. Fitting is easy, as the VE's have 3 anchor points across the back. They can have a better vision of whats going on ahead while youre driving and its easier for mum or dad to reach back and re-fit dummy, give a drink or a chinese burn if needed.

[OLS108]

I have the baby seat ( rearward facing ) for our new born in the Middle, and the boster seat for our almost 4 yr old behind Drivers seat, reason being. the street where i reverse from my driveway ( two houses from the cnr ) is quite a blind corner and from time to time i notice cars moving at speed around that corner. maybe its silly logic but i just feel my babies are safer this way.

having said that, I am not 100% about the way the rearward facing seat sits, seems to have a little movement from side to side..

might go and check it out now.

Dave

[greySStoke]

Positioning the baby seat is only the first 'call' to make. Wait as they get older and you have to decide when to turn the seat around to be forward facing. Manufacturers state to turn arounf at 9kg. But nurses I have spoken to state a baby is still too immature at an age where they are reaching 9kg.
And it continues, when do you go to a booster seat, just a flat bed booster or a fully moulded booster. And what about the seat belt, do you get one of those harnesses that fit onto the seat belt and hook back onto the babyseat mounting bolt?

It never ends, and ulitimately you get to know your kids and what would work for them and you. I always err on the side of caution.

[COSMOS]

middle of the back seat for us too....

my young bloke was three last week. When we had him the hospital (Liverpool) told us we couldnt take him home until we could produce the RTA instal certificate from a proper seat installer.

He is 1m tall now, weighs 16kgs and is in the same seat he came home from hospital in, albeit reversed from the position it was then. I sold the car two days ago and he is fast approaching the two key measures for moving from that seat to a boster seat - 18kgs and his eyes are almost above the seat (not the headrest) topline.

So now he goes into a new booster in the new car next week. His old seat goes into safe storage for the next one. We bought a Safe n Sound Meridian AHR which at the time was the best you could get. It has protection for his head and neck in a side impact. The booster seat will be a full height hard backed seat with a proper child seat belt harness.

He will ride in the booster until I see RTA or other reputable research that says he no longer needs to. He will ride in the back seat until he is 13 and I dont care how much he argues.

I do this because a long time ago, on my first day in the cops, my first ever job was to attend a fatal - 5 dead in a car acco on Henry Lawson Drive at Picnic Point right near the sub station. The thing I remember about that prang, 19 yrs ago, is the sight of 2 dead kiddies lying on the roadway.

A while ago I had to carry some work colleagues in my car - only room for 2 in the back and they kept insisting I take out the child seat to fit another. NO WAY - it never comes out. If he pukes (which he hasnt) it gets washed in the car. It has been fit properly and so it stays in place.

This is truly a subject you cant cut corners with or try to do on the cheap. I spend my life making sure he is safe and healthy so I am damned if I am going to put him at risk in the car either.

[superoo]

We had middle of the back seat for our first and then on each end when number 2 arrived. I cannot stress how important correct fitting is. I went to an "approved" restraint fitter and they were basically hopeless - seat moved around everwhere. I can recommend Littles who service Melb and Syd I think. They come to you and fit the seat and show you how it's done. Very reasonably priced for the important job they do. It was scary to notice the difference between their fitting and the so called approved fitter. Still can't believe how many people fit their seats in 2 seconds by just running the belt through and plugging it in.