Carseats

It’s the law in New Zealand that all children in cars must travel in a child restraint until at least their 7th birthday. If there is a child restraint available in the car, they must use it when travelling until they turn 8.

As the driver, you are responsible for making sure that any child under 7 years old is properly restrained in a car seat that’s appropriate for their age. Children must not travel in the car if you can’t put them in an approved child restraint.

Approved child restraints include:

  • infant restraints for young babies (often called baby capsules)
  • restraints for older babies, toddlers and preschool children (often called car seats)
  • booster seats for preschool and school-aged children
  • child safety harnesses (used with or without a booster seat) for preschool and school-aged children.

Newborn Carseat Safety

These options are all safe for newborns so long as baby is within weight and height limits.

  • Capsule AND Rear facing car seat 
  • Isofix/LATCH installation AND Seat belt installation 
  • Base AND No Base 

The most common car seat mistakes:

  • Installation

Car seat has excessive movement when moved side to side along the seat belt or ISOFIX/LATCH path: Maximum of 2.5cm of movement at belt path, not top of the seat. Wrong seat belt routing: Car seats can have more than one route for the seatbelt depending if it is installed for rear or forward facing. 

  • Seat Belt and ISOFIX/LATCH used together

Top tether not used for a forward-facing seat: Provides further protection in a side impact crash and stops the seat from tipping forward. Top tether not used for Australian/New Zealand seats when rear-facing: USA car seats do not use a top tether. Check the manufacturer’s manual. Top tether not attached to approved anchor point: Luggage clips can look like tether points but only designed to withhold loads of 25 kg compared to tether anchor points of 350kg. 

  • Harness fit

Incorrect harness height (a crucial aspect of car seat set-up!). Harness can come from just under, at, or just over the shoulder depending on the seat. Make sure to check the manufacturer manual. Harness is not pinch test tight: The harness should be tight enough so it cannot be pinched at the shoulder/ collar bone. Winter jackets and thick jumpers should be removed before being placed into the carseat. 

  • Harness is twisted

Chest clip incorrect height (USA seats): Clip should be in line with your child’s armpits. 

  • Miscellaneous

Incorrect recline: A 40-45° angle prevents head flop and supports airways. If additional recline is required a pool noodle or rolled-up towel can be used. 

Child exceeds weight limit: Child exceeds seat limits. Children must be within the height and/or weight limit. Or the height markers on AUS/NZ. 

  • Other important safety factors

Do not use a car seat that has expired. Replace car seats after an accident: Even if there is no obvious damage. Refer to manufacturer’s recommendations. 

Always consult your car seats manufacturer manual. NEVER use any after-market products with a car seat, this can include chest clips, newborn inserts, and seat protectors. Any additions must be those sold by the manufacturer of the car seat. Just because it is for sale does not mean it is safe! 

  • Protecting newborn airways while in the car 

Ensure the car seat has an incline between 40-45 degrees (many capsule bases and convertible seats will have an indicator on the side). Ensure infants heads do not flop forward in their carseat, this can block their airway (side to side is ok) 

  • Reducing the risk of SUDI when using a capsule

Remember: The recline of a capsule may be safe in the car but can be different when placed on other surfaces, causing their head to flop. Don’t leave your baby in their capsule/car seat for extended periods of time. Newborns should only spend up to 30 minutes in their car seat. This increases to 2 hours in older infants and children 

General Carseat Safety

Rear-facing reduces the risk of an injury by 92% and a fatality by 72% 

Car sears are installed incorrectly 87% of the time

Children are most protected by a car seat when: 

  • They are rear-facing as long as possible, even if their legs are bent 
  • The car seat is installed properly and the harness is used correctly

Caregivers can have car seats installed or installation checked by car restraint technicians for a small fee or in some cases free. Contact details can be found on the New Zealand Transport Agency website. 

What to do when you are in an accident 

  • Keep children in their car seats until they are able to be reviewed by ambulance personnel. Remove the seat from the car with your child in it if possible. 
  • Airway management takes priority over a spinal injury in an unconscious child. Remove children from their car seat if their airway requires assessment. 

Driveway safety 

Did you know half of all driveway runovers happen at home when a parent is driving. 

  • Always supervise children around vehicles 
  • Know where all children are before driving off