These seats are adjustable to cover a wider range of weights and heights and so can last for several years. Most are group 2 and 3, or groups 1, 2 and 3 Groups 2 & 3: for children weighing 15 - 36 kg (33 - 79 lbs), roughly 4 to 11 years Group 2: for children weighing 15 - 25 kgs (33 - 55 lbs), roughly 4 to 6 yearsīooster seats that only fit into Group 2 are less common. Only move your child to using the seat belt on its own once they have exceeded the maximum weight or height depending on the booster seat, or when the manufacturer's advice recommends that they are too tall for the seat (usually this will be when the top of the head extends above the back of the seat, but this can depend on the model of seat). It is safest to keep children in this type of seat until they have outgrown it. Some have an adjustable back or adjustable head rest, which can be raised or lowered to suit the height of the child using it.īooster seats can be used in the front or rear of the car, but it is safer to put them in the rear, especially if there is a passenger airbag in the front. High-backed booster seats also have side wings that help to protect the child's head in an impact.

the diagonal strap should rest over the shoulder, not the neck.

The lap belt should go over the pelvic region, not the stomach.

The belt should be worn as tight as possible.

The seat belt should go across the child's pelvis, chest and shoulder: There is usually one at shoulder height to position the diagonal part of the seat belt and ones at waist height, often under the booster seat's armrests, to help position the lap part of the seat belt. They have red indicators or slots to show where the seat belt should go.

The booster seat raises the child's seating position so that the car's seat belt fits them properly. Instead, the car's seat belt goes around the child and the seat (except groups 1, 2 & 3 booster seats which have an integral harness which the child uses until they reach 18 kg in weight, when they should swap to using the car's seat belt with the booster seat). High-backed booster seats do not have an integral harness to hold the child in place. Children using these seats are much less likely to be injured in a crash than children who are using seat belts on their own, or even worse, are completely unrestrained. Once children have outgrown a group 1 forward-facing seat, the best option is to use a group 2 or group 2/3 high-backed booster seat.

Booster seat