Car safety

The law states that all children, including babies, must sit in a properly fitted child seat, suitable for their weight and height, for every journey, including the one home from hospital.

Travelling with babies

• it is dangerous and illegal to sit a baby on your lap or in your arms on a car journey and you should never put a seatbelt around yourself and a baby. In a crash, or even a small bump, the weight of both people will be transferred through the seatbelt and could severely injure the child
• rear-facing car seats should be used until your baby is able to sit up for a long time without any help
• infant car seats can be used in the front or back seat and must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions; however, most cars these days are made with airbags, and these can be dangerous to your baby if she is in the front seat. If there is an airbag on the passenger side, your baby should travel in the back
• don’t use a second-hand car seat unless you’re absolutely sure it isn’t damaged – sometimes faults can be invisible to the eye
• before you buy a car seat, make sure it is the correct one for your child, and also that it will fit into your car. These are the most important aspects of choosing a seat
• additional advice can be provided by your local Road Safety Officer or look out for the Scottish Good Egg Guide to In-car Child Safety,
• you should learn how to use the car seat – including fitting it – before using it with your baby. You don’t want to have to worry about that when you’re trying to care for your baby, too! Choose a shop or retailer with trained staff who will make sure you get the right seat, show you how to fit it properly, and then guide you as you fit it yourself
• some hospitals hire car seats and some taxis supply them. Ask a taxi firm for this service if you ever need to use a taxi and don’t have your own seat. For safety’s sake, everyone in a vehicle must use a seatbelt or child seat at all times.