'I'm a car seat expert and this is really when your child should move to forward-facing'

An expert has finally put to bed one of the most hotly debated vehicular safety questions — when kids should move from rear-facing to forward-facing car seats.

While parenting may not come with a fixed rulebook, driving with children most certainly does. To help parents understand the latest requirements for child safety on UK roads, car seat experts at Kiddies Kingdom have shared some essential guidance.

Showroom manager Kirsty Carroll explained: "In the UK, children must use a car seat whilst travelling until they're 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first. Not only is your child required to be in a car seat until then, but for babies under 15 months, that seat must be rear facing. However, it is recommended to keep them rear-facing as long as possible for maximum safety."

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The reasoning behind remaining rear-facing for longer is due to the way these seats protect a child's head, neck and spine in the event of a collision. Research has consistently shown that rear-facing seats reduce the risk of serious injury to children.

Industry insider Kirsty stressed that the law's minimum should not necessarily be a parent's goal, as many modern kids car seats are designed to keep children rear-facing up to four years, or even longer depending on their height and weight. Safety should always come before convenience in this matter.

If parents fail to use a suitable car seat, they face an on-the-spot fine of £60 and three penalty points on their licence. If it goes to court, the financial penalty could rise as high as £500. While there are a few exceptions — in licensed taxis or larger vehicles including coaches and minibuses, for example — Kirsty maintains that it is always safest for younger kids to ride rear-facing as long as possible.

Parents have also been urged to remember an important legal detail regarding seat placement. Although the front passenger airbag is designed to protect adults, it can be deadly to a small child in a rear-facing seat.

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Kirsty warned: "Parents should never place their child's rear-facing seat in the front passenger seat unless they have deactivated the airbag, as not only is it dangerous but it is also against the law, and you risk up to a £500 fine. The airbag must be deactivated if you have your child rear-facing in the passenger seat, but even then, I highly advise against it, as transporting your child in the back is always safer."

Beyond the placement of the seat itself, parents must choose carefully when purchasing. Kirsty advised: "In the UK, only EU-approved height-based or weight-based child car seats meet legal requirements. Look for an orange label with a capital 'E' in a circle and the R129 stamp for height-based seats or ECE R44 for weight-based seats.

"Using a non-approved child seat is treated the same as not using a proper restraint at all and can result in a court fine of up to £500. But beyond the financial repercussions, using a non-approved seat puts children at a much higher risk of injury, as they haven't been tested against the rigorous EU/UK standards."

Kirsty concluded by reminding parents: "These laws are set in place for the safety of you and your children. Keep clued up on the latest laws and regulations so you don't find yourself with license points, a hefty fine, or potential harm to you, your child or others on the road."

So keeping your kids secure in properly positioned rear-facing child seats for as long as possible is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure their safety on the road.

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