If you’ve ever carried a child in your car, you’ll know there’s a lot to consider. Is their comfort blanket or teddy within reach? Do you have their favourite nursery rhyme on the radio? Have you got enough snacks?
And most importantly, are they belted in correctly?
The last question sounds simple, but it can be surprisingly complex. Children are far more vulnerable than adults in a collision, which is why they need special safety equipment and legal protection. With more than 300,000 RedClick customers across Ireland, we know how important it is to ensure children are secured safely in cars. Read on to get the answers you need.
What does the law say about child car seats in Ireland?
Irish law is straightforward about this subject.
According to the Road Safety Authority of Ireland, “All children under 150 cm in height or 36 kg (79 lbs) in weight must use a child restraint system (CRS) suitable for their height and weight while travelling in a car or goods vehicle (other than a taxi).” While every child’s height and weight will be different, that means they’ll generally need a car seat or a booster until they’re around 12 years old.
And if they’re in a rearward-facing car seat, it’s illegal to put them in the front seat of a car where there’s an active airbag. Airbags are designed to protect adults, inflating rapidly to soften the blow. The speed and power of that airbag can cause serious injury (or worse) to small children who are rear facing, so keep them in the back, where it’s safer.
How do I know what child car seat to buy?
Every soon-to-be-parent will recognise the challenge of standing in front of rows and rows of car seats, unsure of what to pick. There’s a wide range of options on the market, including infant carriers, high-back boosters, ISOFIX systems, and even swivel seats to make getting in and out a little easier.
The best way to avoid getting overwhelmed is to focus on the basics. Make sure you choose an option that:
- Meets the latest European safety standards (always look for the ‘E-Mark’ label)
- Fits securely into your vehicle (using ISOFIX or seatbelts)
- Allows your child to remain rear facing for as long as possible
- Is easy to install and use correctly (in more than one car if applicable)
If in doubt, speak to the salesperson in the shop. They’re usually very knowledgeable and well-trained in the subject and can often speak from experience about what works best in family life. If possible, get them to install the car seat after purchase, so you know that it’s secure before you put your child into it.
Is ISOFIX safer than a seatbelt?
ISOFIX is a method of securing car seats or bases directly into built-in metal anchor points that connect to a car’s chassis. In theory, it’s a standardised system that should work in every car, but in reality, some older cars don’t have ISOFIX mounts and even if they do, not every seat will have the right connectors.
For this reason, a seatbelt is often used as an alternative. It usually extends over the seat, slides into designated routing points, and clips into the buckle as normally. Both methods of securing car seats are considered safe if they are used correctly.
Whatever you decide, make sure your car and your seat will connect securely before completing a purchase, as many providers won’t accept returns for safety reasons.
How can I make sure my child car seat is securely fitted?
According to The RSA as many as 4 out of 5, that’s 80%, of child car seats are incorrectly fitted, which means a lot of children are travelling in dangerous circumstances. Ensuring your child’s car seat is installed properly is one of the most important steps you can take to keep them safe on the road.
The RSA provides detailed guidance on choosing and fitting child car seats through its website and YouTube channel, with practical advice for parents and guardians.
For added peace of mind, consider attending one of the RSA’s “Check It Fits” events. This is a free expert service that takes place at different locations in all the major cities and towns in Ireland throughout the year. You don’t need an appointment, either. Simply pop along, join the queue, and show your car-seat setup to an RSA expert. They will check the attachments, straps, and system to make sure everything is in order and your child is safe.
▶️ Watch how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/QkCteQxwM_U?si=N8xTHTA0pMKFeBgu
If you can’t make it in person (we know how hard it can be to get out and about with a newborn or small children!), you can schedule a virtual consultation. This is a great way to make sure that grandparents and other grown-ups know what to do too, in case your child travels in their car as well.
When do I need to change the child car seat I use?
Most of us are so busy with day-to-day life that we don’t think about changing the child car seat in our car until maybe your child’s harness is a little tight, their head is appearing over the top of the seat, or they’re struggling to get comfortable on long journeys.
If you’re wondering if it’s time to switch your child’s seat for a bigger or more age-appropriate option, the definitive answer will be found in your manufacturer’s manual.
If you’ve no idea where your manual is, don’t worry, you’re not alone, and you can probably still find the information you need online. Check the label on your car seat, go to the company’s website, and consult their online advice on the equipment’s maximum height or weight. If you can’t find what you need, email their customer service department.
It helps to take a note of your child’s weight and height at their medical check-ups, and to put a reminder in your online calendar for a regular review of all your baby equipment suitability.
How long should a child stay rear facing?
There has been a lot of research on this subject in recent years, and it all points to keeping children in a rear-facing position for as long as possible. This is because very young bodies are different to ours: a toddler’s head is proportionally much larger and heavier, while the bones and ligaments in the neck are still developing.
In a frontal collision, a rear-facing seat supports the child’s head, neck, and spine together, spreading the force of the crash across the entire back rather than on the neck alone. In fact, Swedish accident data shows that rearward-facing child restraints for children up to 3-4 years of age offers an injury-reducing effect of 90% compared to an unrestrained child.
Manufacturers are increasingly building car seats that can safely carry children in a rear-facing position for longer, so it’s a good idea to check what options are available to you before you buy.
What if my child keeps taking off their seatbelt?
Oh, we’ve been there, seen that. Almost every parent will experience the heart-stopping panic of seeing little hands, arms, and shoulders wriggle out of a car seat while travelling.
The Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) is clear on this: “Always pull over to the side of the road if your child gets out of their car seat harness or seat belt.” Even though it might be a stressful conversation, wearing a seatbelt has to be a family rule that’s non-negotiable.
Children learn from routines, which means that consistency helps. For example, the car doesn’t move until everyone is buckled in and seatbelts stay on until an adult says otherwise. Stay calm but firm and repeat the message for as long as it takes. There are child safety nursery rhymes you could play to help make the process fun for your little ones, including Barney & Friends and Little Baby Bum.
Keeping your family safe at every age
In Ireland, over 70% of our daily trips are made by car. It’s our responsibility to make sure those journeys are as safe as possible, especially for our little ones. One of the most important steps is to make sure that children are secured in appropriate car seats or boosters.
There are other ways to reduce our risks on the road, too, like keeping bad habits in check, driving carefully in bad weather, and staying on top of tyre maintenance. Of course, we can never rule out every possibility of an accident, which is why you need reliable car insurance too. That way, should the worst happen, you and any little passengers on board will get the care and support you need.
Reach out to RedClick if you’ve got any questions about car insurance for families, especially if you’ve changed vehicle, added another driver, or your circumstances have changed. We’re here to help you, from your newborn’s trip home from the hospital to their very first journey as a young driver.
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