A report published today by Good Egg Car Safety found that 53 out of 82 shops run by well-known national chains and independent retailers did not give the correct advice to mystery shoppers when asked about child safety seats.
Basic questions not asked
The new findings, issued by Good Egg Safety, reveal that staff in the majority of stores tested did not ask the basic information required to ensure a safe fit of the child seats they were selling. A child car seat, no matter how well it is manufactured and tested, will not perform as it is designed to do in a collision if it’s not correctly installed or if it doesn’t fit the child or car it is purchased for.
Jan James, chief executive of Good Egg Safety, said today: ‘We’ve checked over 21,000 child car seats since 2002, and have found a 43% growth in incorrect fitment or incompatibility in the last five years, which is a major concern. Last year alone we discovered that 67% of seats were incorrectly fitted across the UK.
‘Although we would still encourage parents to buy their seat new from a high street store because a) second hand seats can’t provide the peace of mind that they will perform well in a crash unless their full history is known and b) parents can check the seat is easy to fit in their car prior to purchase and be shown how to do this properly; parents can download our free checking guide to ensure they are getting the right advice and service. The welfare and safety of their children is paramount.’
What questions do retailers need to ask?
How much does the child weigh? Most child seats are chosen by weight, and the next seat stage is reached in line with the child’s weight increase. Retailers should make sure that the child is the correct weight for the seat, and they should also advise that the child should remain in the current stage seat until it is outgrown. New i-size seats have a maximum child mass specified.
What height is the child? The sales advisor should also check that the child’s head is in the appropriate position for their seat. The head must be in the correct position, and the shoulders are positioned correctly relevant to the harness or belt guide as defined in the user manual. For i-size the stature range is stated, giving the shortest and tallest child that the car seat is approved for.
What is the make and model of the vehicle(s) the seat will be used in? Not all child seats fit every car, so it is important for the staff member to recommend a seat that will fit the customer’s car. The use of the child seat should be obtained by asking if the seat will be moved to any other cars. It is also important to ensure the seat will fit every car it is to be used in.
Is the seat compatible with the vehicle(s) it will be used in? The staff member should ask this so they know to explain to the customer the benefits of ISOfix. Not all ISOfix seats are compatible with all ISOfix cars, it is vitally important to check the list to ensure the seat is safe in the required vehicle/s.
Demonstrate how to fit, adjust and use the car seat (and ask you, the customer, to fit and adjust the seat while they supervise). Almost 70% of child seats are fitted or used incorrectly, and while a seat fitment may seem obvious to a trained eye, it may not be so clear to a parent or grandparent. A demonstration of the seat is important as it allows customers to see what they are buying and ensure it is the right product for them.
Where are retailers failing customers?
Of the 82 shops studied, only 29 (35%) successfully satisfied the requirements. The breakdown of failures was as follows:
- 35% of stores failed to ask the height of the child.
- 41% of stores did not ask if the seat would be moved to any other cars.
- 17% of stores did not inform the customer that their child would be safer travelling rear facing.
- 6% of stores did not check the weight of the child.
| Required question | Number of stores who failed to ask |
|---|---|
| Child weight | 5 |
| Child height | 29 |
| Vehicle | 13 |
| Other vehicle | 34 |
| ISOfix | 11 |
| Safety benefit of rear facing | 14 |
| Demonstration of seat | 12 |
| Vehicle fitting list consulted | 7 |
| Airbag discussed if seat fitted to front of vehicle | 1 |
Sir Arnold Clark, said: ‘As latest statistics have shown, it is more important than ever that parents have as much information as possible on car seat safety and know what to look for when purchasing a child seat.
The findings have prompted the development of a powerful new advert which uses evocative imagery of a child safely transported in the womb, to inspire parents to safely transport their children after birth too. (Shown below.)
After research showed that children were improperly restrained in 2014, Good Egg Safety’s new campaign couldn’t have come at a better time.
We have a wide range of child car seats available at our Parts departments across the country. Just give us a call for advice and guidance on which car seat is best for your child.