The debate over using rear facing car seats has become a common one, while some mothers shout about the need; others are oblivious to the dangers and recommendations.
The advice of the Government is that if you turn your child forward facing when your baby is 9 months old you are putting their life at risk. In other European countries, children stay rear facing until they are 4 years old, and the new US recommendation is 2 years old.
Are you using the correct car seat to keep your baby safe?
Group 1 car seats that are rear facing are 5 times safer in a frontal collision.
It has been recognised by a range of accredited experts, including the British Medical Journal and ANEC, that rear facing car seats are up to five times safer for children
• Many experts recommend that children should be kept in Group 1 rear facing car seats until the age of four
• It is the legal guideline in the Nordics for children to be rear facing until the age of four
• The fatality figures for children under six years of age during a car collision are twice as high in the UK compared to Sweden
• However, 70% of UK’s parents are unaware that Group 1 rear facing car seats exist
• They can only currently be purchased from two high street retailers
• Many car seats manufacturers do not supply Group 1 rear facing car seats to the UK, whilst they are supplied to the rest of Europe
Facts – With thanks to Rear Facing Motors
What are your views when it comes to rear facing car seats?