Car Seats & Travel / 3 October, 2023 / Ellie Thompson
Whether you’re bundling the kids into their car seats for the all-important school run or a weekend trip away, car seat safety is a hot topic when it comes to travelling with kids. Selecting the right car seat for your little one can be a total minefield. From getting your head around the safety regulations to deciding which features and benefits you want, it can feel like a lot. But we have the answer: Graco’s latest hub for parents S.A.F.E. Journeys.
Graco found that safety in the car when travelling with children is the top priority for 87% of parents, yet only a quarter are confident they know what the different car seat safety standards mean. While 81% admitted to feeling nervous taking that very first car journey with their precious new cargo.
This insight into confusion and concern for families has fuelled the creation of S.A.F.E. Journeys, the new addition to The Graco Village. The must-visit online hub is packed with simplified advice on the existing car seat standards, R44 and R129, and brings new meaning to the word S.A.F.E., as a memorable way to remember the key points of the latest R129 standard.
S – Size of your child. R129 car seat compatibility is measured by the length or height of the child.
A – Advanced Side Impact Protection. R129 car seats have improved side impact to protect the child in the event of a collision.
F – Fitting formulas ensure the car seat fits the car.
E – Extended rearward facing. R129 means children need to stay rear-facing until a minimum of 15 months. Graco is recommending rearward travel up to 4 years of age, where applicable.
S.A.F.E. Journeys also includes parent experiences and fresh information from a range of experts, including retail giant Halfords and car seat accessory specialist LittleLife. For anyone who’s ever wondered why they must give their child frequent movement breaks from their car seat, Rachel, a biomechanist and movement expert from Brytespark, has the answers.
Graco is also proud to announce its support of Brake, the road safety charity.
Graco’s much-loved SlimFit R129 convertible car seat has been updated to comply with the latest EU R129 standards, including rigorous side impact testing. This ensures that your child can remain rearward-facing for an extended period, providing them with the safest travel experience. The car seat features a side impact protection pod on both sides, designed to minimise impact during a collision and enhance the safety of your child’s head, neck, and spine.
As your child grows, the SlimFit R129 adapts to accommodate them, with the headrest raising and side wings expanding to maintain their comfort and safety. This convertible car seat seamlessly transitions from rearward-facing (40-105cm) to forward-facing highback booster (100-145cm), making it suitable for your child’s journey from infancy to big kid.
The parent favourite Turn2Me i-Size R129 car seat has a 360º rotating feature and complies with i-Size and R129 standards. This car seat has undergone extensive side impact testing, so your child can remain rearward facing for an extended period.
Parents can say goodbye to awkward bending, as the Turn2Me i-Size smoothly rotates 360º with just one hand, making it effortless to get your child in and out of the car, whether they’re rearward or forward-facing. The car seat features integrated ISOFIX connectors for quick and secure installation, with colour-coded indicators providing peace of mind by showing when the seat is properly secured. Additionally, the side impact protection pod, which attaches to either side of the car seat, enhances safety by reducing the impact and protecting your child’s head, neck, and spine in the event of a collision.
By law, children must use a child car seat until they are 12 years old, or 135cm (4ft 5in) tall, whichever comes first.
R129 i-Size regulations are based on centimetres rather than kilograms. This means you can decide which car seat is right for you based on your child’s height rather than their weight.
i-Size (R129) regulations state that children must be rearward-facing in their car seat from newborn to a minimum of 15 months old. This is to protect your child’s head and neck in the event of an accident.
If you’re using a 5-point harness, you should just be able to get two fingers between the child’s chest and the straps. For rear-facing seats, the harness should be level or no more than 2cms below the shoulders. For forward-facing seats, it should be level or no more than 2cms above the shoulders.
Padding in children’s coats can mean that a car seat harness is not tightened properly, so it’s important to always remember to remove coats and jackets before you strap your child in. This will help ensure they are seated correctly.
For all the support you need, take a visit to The Graco Village today.
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