Buying a car seat

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This guide gives you details of the main types of car seats we have available and explains the advantages and features of all the different styles.

In car safety
First journey
Travelling tots
Booster seats
Fitting hints
Happy travelling
Returns
car seat
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In car safety
The use of car seats and belts for children is regulated by law. To ensure your child’s safety in a car, it is important that you choose the right car seat and fit it correctly. Our staff are trained to advise you on the right type of seat for your child and for your car.

Don’t leave even the shortest journey to chance: always take the time to harness your child in an appropriate car seat. Always follow the manufacturer’s fitting instructions and keep them with the seat.

The law (since Monday 18th September 2006)

  • Children less than 135cm and under 12 years old MUST use the child restraint appropriate for their weight in any vehicle (including vans and other goods vehicles)
  • Rear-facing baby seats MUST NOT be used in a seat protected by a frontal airbag unless the airbag has been deactivated manually or automatically
  • All car seats MUST conform to the latest European standard ECE R44.03 (or R44.04)

Choosing a car seat

For a younger child it’s their weight and not his or her age that is the critical factor in deciding which car seat is suitable and safe.

European regulations define eight groups of seat, each of which is suitable for a range of weights. These are shown in the table below. All the child seats in our range are designed to give your child the best possible protection. Some seats are designed to cover more than one group. All our child seats are designed to meet the current safety standards as set out in ECE R44.03 (or R44.04).


Group Child's weight approx. age of child
0 birth up to 10kg/22lb birth up to 6-9 months
0+ birth up to 13kg/29lb birth up to 12-15 months
0+ & 1 birth up to 18kg/40lb birth to up to about 4 years
1 9-18kg/20-40lb about 9 months to 4 years
1 & 2 9-25kg/20-55lb about 9 months to 6 years
2 15-25kg/33-55lb about 4 to 6 years
1, 2, 3 9-36kg/20-79lb about 9 months to 12 years
2 & 3 15-36kg/48-79lb about 4 -12 years

Isofix system
  • Extreme hazard: Do not use on a passenger seat fitted with an airbag

Some manufacturers offer car seats in certain groups that are compatible with the Isofix System. Isofix is a world-wide standard fitting system that optimises protection by providing a rigid connection between the child seat and the car.

  • Removes the risk of slack installation - one of the key misuse issues with products installed with an adult seat belt
  • Reduces head forward movement
  • Helps reduce loads in a crash and offers better control of occupant decelerations
  • Please check with your vehicle manufacturer or a sales assistant whether your car has the Isofix System and if the Isofix car seats we sell are suitable for it.

First journey
Babies are much safer travelling in a rear-facing car seats, known as infant carriers.

The following three car safety seats for babies can be used in the front or back seat of the car and are held in place by the adult diagonal and lap seatbelt or an Isofix base. When positioned in the front seat, they allow you to have eye contact with your baby.

Group 0: Rear-facing car seats for babies from birth to 10kg (birth to 6-9 months approx)
This seat can be used in the front or back seat of the car.

  • Extreme hazard: Do not use on a passenger seat fitted with an airbag
  • The seat is held in place by the adult 3 point lap and diagonal belt and your baby must be secured by the integral harness
  • Supports your baby's back and neck in the event of an accident
  • Allows you to have visual contact with your baby when used in the front seat
  • Useful carrying handle for transporting sleeping babies
  • Rocking facility for use in the home
  • Some models fit onto a pushchair chassis
 Group 0 and 1 seat

Group 0+: Rear-facing car seats for babies from birth to 13kg (birth to 12-15 months approx)
This innovation in car seat safety allows a young child to travel rear-facing for longer in the front or back of the car.

  • Extreme hazard: Do not use on a passenger seat fitted with an airbag
  • The seat is held in place by the adult 3 point lap and diagonal belt or by the Isofix system if the seat or base has Isofix points. Your baby must be secured by the integral harness
  • Supports your baby's back and neck in the event of an accident
  • Allows you to have visual contact with your baby when used in the front seat
  • Useful carrying handle for transporting sleeping babies
  • Rocking facility for use in the home
  • Some models fit onto a pushchair chassis
 Group 0+ seat

Group 0+ and 1: Rear-facing and forward-facing car seats for babies from birth to 18kgs (birth to around 4 years)
This car seat can be used rear-facing for babies up to 13kg/29lb (birth to 12-15 months approx). The seat can also be used facing forward when your child is over 9kg/20lb and can sit unsupported, up to 18kg/40lbs (4 years approx).

  • Extreme hazard: Do not use on a passenger seat fitted with an airbag
  • The seat is held in place by an adult diagonal and lap belt, your baby must be secured by the integral harness.
  • Some models have an easy-to-adjust one-pull integral harness - just clip and tighten
  • Most models have a reclining mechanism for added comfort
  • Padded, washable seat covers can be easily removed
 Groups 0 and 1 car seat
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Travelling tots

Group 1: Forward-facing car seats for babies and toddlers from 9kg to 18kg (9 months to 4 years approx)
Car seats for use in the front or rear of your car.

  • Extreme hazard: Do not use on a passenger seat fitted with an airbag
  • Seats held in place by either an adult diagonal and lap or lap belt or by the Isofix system if the seat has Isofix points. Your baby must be secured by the integral harness
  • Some models have an easy-to-adjust one-pull harness - just clip and tighten
  • Some models have a reclining mechanism for added comfort
  • Padded, washable seat covers can easily be removed
 Group 1 car seat

Group 1, 2 and 3: Forward-facing car seats for children from 9kg to 36kg (9 months to 12 years)
This car seat can be adapted depending on the weight of your child.
  • Extreme hazard: Do not use on a passenger seat fitted with an airbag
  • For children from 9kg to 18kg, use the integral harness to secure your child. From 18kg to 36kg use the adult diagonal and lap belt to secure the child in the seat
  • Seat belt guides ensure correct location of seat belt for maximum safety and comfort once the integral harness has been removed
  • Convenient pull out drink and snack holders
  • Padded, washable seat covers can be easily removed
 Group 1 and 2 car seat

Booster seats

Group 2 and 3: Booster seats for children from 15kg to 36kg (approximately 4 years to 12 years)
A booster seat is ideal for older children until they can safely use an adult seat belt.

  • Extreme hazard: Do not use on a passenger seat fitted with an airbag
  • For older children an adult seat belt alone does not offer sufficient protection
  • Booster seats raise your child on the car seat to enable the best fit of an adult diagonal and lap seat belt across his or her hips and shoulder
  • Some models have shoulder belt guides and arm rests for added comfort
  • Fashionable washable fabrics

 Group 2 and 3 car seat

Fitting hints
Correct fitting of all car seats and boosters is of paramount importance. All the car seats in our range have clear and concise instructions for safe fitting and use. If in doubt, you should always contact the manufacturer of the seat. In addition, some manufacturers have customer helplines.
Sales assistants in John Lewis department stores are trained to give you advice on fitting. Click here to find your nearest store

Check that your seat is safe and secure using the following guidelines:

  • The seat should be fitted as tightly as possible - there should be no excessive forward or sideways motion
  • Ensure that the integral harness is adjusted for every journey. The harness should fit snugly, allowing one finger between the harness and your child's chest
  • The harness buckle should be as low as possible to keep the lap section across the pelvis and not across the stomach
  • The diagonal section of the harness should rest on your child's shoulder, not on his or her neck
  • If there is too much slack - usually because the anchorage points are too far forward - choose an alternative position for the seat (or even a different car seat). Contact the car seat manufacturer, who will be happy to advise you
  • Check that the buckles are not lying against the child-seat frame, as this could affect the seat's performance in an accident
  • Keep fitting instructions in a safe place. You may need them again, particularly for combination car seats
  • The safest place for a child to travel in a car is in the centre rear, as this is likely to be furthest from any impact. However, the use of a seat belt in any position in the car, including the front seat, is far safer than a child travelling unrestrained

Guidelines: Do
Use a child restraint appropriate to your child's weight and development and until your child reaches 135cm in height or their 12th birthday (whichever is sooner).
Adjust the harness for every journey. It should fit snugly, allowing you to slide one finger between harness and child.
Read the fitting instructions carefully. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer. Practise using the car seat before putting your child in it for the first time.
Check the seat regularly to ensure it is secure.
Discourage your child from playing with the buckles.
Check regularly for wear and tear on harness, buckles and seat shell.
Check that shoulder straps are slightly below the child's shoulders in a group 0 or 0+ seat, and level with, or slightly above the shoulders for forward-facing seats. Once you reach the top slots of the straps, the child can continue to use the seat until his or her eyeline is level with the top of the seat shell.
Use an additional rear-view mirror to keep an eye on your child, to avoid having to look around while driving.
 
Guidelines: Don't
Don't ever use a second-hand car seat, as there could be invisible damage to the structure.
Never use a car seat that has been in an accident, however minor. There may be invisible damage.
Don't use a cushion or similar support under a child instead of a booster seat, as it will not give the same level of protection in an accident.
Don't leave metal fittings exposed on a sunny day - they can get very hot. Keep a blanket in the car to cover the seat when not in use.
Never leave heavy or sharp objects loose in the car, as they can cause injury in the event of an accident.
Never leave your child alone in the car, not even for a moment.
Never cover or modify buckles to prevent your child from playing with them, as this may seriously affect the quick release mechanism in an accident.
Never strap two children into one belt.
Never put an adult belt round an adult and child together.
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Happy travelling
Bored children may undo their belts or harness to attract your attention, so make sure they are comfortable and amused. On longer journeys our travel accessories provide a fun distraction for them, allowing you to concentrate on your driving.

Head support cushion Specially designed to give young babies extra comfort and support in child car seats.

Sun canopy For use with group 0 and 0+ car seats both in and out of the car. Helps to protect your baby against strong sunlight.

Car sun blind Suction pads secure blind in the best position to shield your child from direct sunlight and UV rays.

Travel blanket For use with group 0 and 0+ car seats, helps to keep your baby warm in and out of the car during the winter months.

Rear-view mirror Use an additional rear-view mirror to help keep an eye on your child when travelling.

Car tidy Useful for storing books, toys, drinks and snacks.
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Returns
We will refund or exchange your car seat only if it is returned unused, in its original packaging, within 28 days of purchase. This does not affect your statutory rights.
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