Car Seat Definitions

If this is your first child or you are simply a little confused by all that is involved in choosing the right car seat and the terminology used, we hope this may help!

Seat Groups

Children’s car seats are provided to suit the weight of your child. These are described as Seat Groups
Learn more…

Infant Carriers (Group 0+)

Infant carriers are suitable for babies from birth until 13 Kgs. Your baby will travel rearward facing (looking out of the back of the car) for this period. They are often secured in the car with the adult seat belt.

Infant Carrier Bases

This is a product that remains in the car and onto which you may connect your infant carrier.

Harnesses

When using an infant carrier, Group 0+, the seat is secured to the car and your baby is secured in the seat by a ‘3’ or’5’ point harness.

When using Group 1 seats, described below, the seats are again secured to the car and your child secured in the seat by a ‘5’-point harness.

There are some seats in this category where the child is secured in the seat and to the car using an Impact Pad. Learn more.

Impact Pad

This is placed in front of the child in certain Group1 seats. In this case the lap and diagonal seat belt passes around the front of the seat, locating through the ‘impact pad’ and is secured (child and seat together) in the normal manor.  Learn More.

Combination Seats (Group 0+ & 1)

Combination Seats in this Group will allow your baby to travel rearward facing in the seat until 13Kgs and then you may turn the seat forward facing and your child will travel forward facing until 18Kgs

Forward facing Seats (Group 1)

This is a seat approved for use from 9Kgs, although we would recommend your not putting your child in until 13kgs. It only goes forward facing.

Combination Seats (Group 1, 2 & 3)

Allow you to accommodate a child from 9kgs until 36Kgs. We recommend not using it until your child reaches 13Kgs. It is always used forward facing.
When your child reaches 15kgs you may remove the harness and use it as a booster seat. We would recommend removal of the harness at 18Kgs.

Booster Seats (Group 2 & 3)

Seats suitable for children from 15Kgs until 36kgs. Your child and seat are restrained by the adult seat belt.

Isofix/Isofix Seats

Isofix is a system, not yet found in all cars on to which you connect a suitable isofix seat. These seats are available in all Groups.

Rear Facing Seats

Relatively new to the UK and Ireland, these seats allow your child to travel rear facing past the 13kgs of an infant carrier. It is possible to travel rear facing until 25kgs!  These seats are available with seat belt or isofix options.
They are considered to be 5 times safer than forward facing seats!  Read more..

Tether Straps

Tether Straps and Top Tether Straps, are an additional strap used to secure rear facing seats and some Isofix seats to your car. The may be mandatory dependent on the seat and the car, often a combination of both.

Top Tether Straps

An additional strap, to the normal isofix securing points, that secures an Isofix child car seat(Group 1) to the vehicle seat. This securing point is not found in all cars. To use some Isofix seats correctly this strap is mandatory.

Expert Advice
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Technical Centre

• Seat Groups
• Definitions
• ISOFix
• Application Lists
• Vehicle Suitability List
• Fitting Instructions
• Rear Facing Seats
• European Regulations
• Seatbelt Law

Instruction & Information Videos

Special Needs

• Children with Special Needs
• Children with Hip Spica Casts

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