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CHOOSING THE APPROPRIATE RESTRAINT FOR YOUR CHILD
Measurements of the child - Length or height and weight
Length or height is required to determine the following steps:
- For infants, the maximum overall length for most products range between 70 cm and 85 cm;
- The seated shoulder height is needed to adjust properly the strap height correctly;
- A guide for a child's suitability for a booster seat is if they are taller that 100 cm.
Weight is required to determine the child's suitability to a particular restraint:
- Most restraints have entry and exit weight limitations, each product has been tested up to the maximum loading;
- Ideally the safest place for a child to travel is in the restraint they fir into, up to that restraint's size and or weight limitations. Not in the low end of the next stage of the restraint;
- This is specially applicable to entry level of booster seats. 14kg may have been legal in the past but is was never the safest.
OUR UNIT CHECKING CRITERIA BEFORE AND AFTER HIRING
- Is there anything that does not work as it was intended to when the unit was new?
- Age of the unit
- Visually check that the harness and the tether webbings for any sign of chafing, cuts or fibre damage
- Visually check the chassis or frame of the unit for any signs of stress to the plastic (ussually a marbling effect is noticeble when the plastic has been stressed) important areas to check are where the seat belts and / or tether are going to act upon the chassis when loaded. Also check for cracks and broken or rusted components
- Does the adjustment work like it should; does the strap slip through the locking mechanism under load?
- Does the crutch buckle operate properly? Is there an audible click when engaged? Any signs to damage of the plastic housing?
- Are all the parts avalable?
- Check the operation of the tether adjustment mechanism
- Check the tether hook and spring mechanism
- If the unit has been in a crash it will be destroyed
POSITION OF THE RESTRAINT IN YOUR CAR
The client has the option of the rear passenger, driver or centre position.
It is your decision. However, please keep in mind that due to mamy factors (like car shape, seat belt, anchor position, etc...) your desired position may not be possible. So always keep an open mind.
AFTER THE CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLATION CHECKS
To assure that the restraints are effective and will protect your child you should perform the following checks:
EVERY TRIP YOU MAKE ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
- Is the seat belt buckle connected?
- Is the seat belt adjusted correctly?
- Are there any twists or slack in the harness?
- Is the angular aspect of the restraint correct?
- Is there any slack in the upper tether strap?
- Is your child at risk of being hit by any loose items in your car?
MAKE THE FOLLOWING WEEKLY CHECKS BY ANSWERING THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
- Is your child too heavy for this restraint?
- Is your child too big for this restraint?
- Are your child's shoulders above the strap slot?
- Do the inserts effect safe harness adjustments?
- Does your child have whiplash protection?
