choosing your car seat
find the perfect car seat for you
Choosing your car seat is one of the most important safety decisions you will make for your child – and we know that this can be a little daunting. You can rest assured that all car seats available here in the UK are tested, approved and certified, but which seat is the best one for your child?
Here at Apramo we believe in making safety simple. We’ve taken our expertise, real world know-how, and the experiences of parents to create this guide to help you choose the right car seat you and your family.
In this guide, we’ve included some key things to think about, the need- to-knows, and the information you will need to help you navigate the regulations and recommendations.
Wherever your heading, start your journey of exploration here…
first things first...
car seat safety
certification explained
In the UK and EU, car seats are tested and approved to one of the two standards:
ECE R44 uses child weight as the
classification guide
ECE R129/i-Size uses child height as the
classification guide
ECE R44/04
This is the European and UK standard for car seat testing. All car seats must, by law, comply with this standard.
ECE R44 car seats are divided into three groups and it is essential that you choose the right seat that fits your child’s size.
R44 seats can be installed using either the ISOFIX system or the vehicles seat belts.
ECE R129 (i-Size)
This is the latest EU standard and aims to make travelling in a vehicle even safer for
babies. It introduces more stringent testing, more accurate test simulations and more
detailed product specifications.
It is predicted that i-Size will gradually overtake and replace ECE R44, but it is a
certification - not a legal requirement.
The benefit of i-Size
height not weight
Child classification is based on height, not weight This makes it much easier for parents to choose the car seat that best fits their child. A car seat with the optimum child fit will provide the most protection and the best safety performance – and it will be more comfortable too.
side impact protection
Increased side impact protection i-Size testing requires increased levels of side impact performance and improves child head containment within the car seat.
rearward facing travel
Rearward facing travel for longer i-Size regulations extend the period children travel in a rearward facing position, making it mandatory for children up to 76cm high (approx 15 months old).
safer installation
ISOFIX for safer installation. All i-Size seats are ISOIFX compatible, making installation easier and safer. Incorrect installation of a car seat vastly reduces it’s safety performance.
What is ISOFIX?
Car seat shapes and seat belt designs vary dramatically between cars - this can make it tricky to fit a child car seat correctly.
ISOFIX provides an alternative method of installing your child car seat, removing the need to use the car's seat belts to secure it. In short, ISOFIX is an easier, and more secure,way of attaching child seats into vehicles.
The ISOFIX system has fixing points that are built into both the car and the child car seat. ISOFIX seats simply 'plug in' to the corresponding points in the car. An additional top tether or support leg is used to prevent the child seat rotating in the event of an impact.
To find out if your car has ISOFIX, look for labels in the back of your car, or check with the manufacturer.
6 things to think about when choosing your car seat
1. car seat classification is based on a child’s height or weight – not age
Choosing the best fitting car seat for your child crucial to it’s safety performance. Children grow at different rates, and as no one size fits all, using height or
weight as the measurement provides a much more accurate scale.
In the UK and the EU, car seats are approved to one of two regulations:
→ ECE R44 uses child weight as the classification guide
→ ECE R129 / i-Size uses child height as the classification guide
2. will the seat adapt to the needs of your growing child?
We all know that children grow quickly. As they develop and grow, they will need a car seat that matches their changing needs.
Many car seats offer the ability to adapt with the physical development of your child - offering you greater flexibility. Features that provide some room to grow will increase the longevity of use of your car seat, like removable infant inserts, adjustable headrests and larger seat capacities.
3. rearward facing is the safest way to travel?
Extensive testing has proven that a rearward facing position is the safest way to
travel.
In the unfortunate event of a road traffic accident, younger babies are especially
vulnerable to the forces of impact. Rearward facing car seats dissipate the force of
impact over a larger area, and provide better protection for the head and neck.
Research has shown rear facing to be 500% safer up to two years of age.
(Source: Carseat.se)
The risk of serious injury in a high-impact collision is reduced to 8% in a rear facing
seat, compared to 40% in a forward facing seat . (Source: Carseat.se)
4. side impact protection is important too
Side impact collisions make up around 30% of road traffic accidents.
(Source: carseat.se)
Although less common than rear or frontal , side impact collisions can be
equally as dangerous and are nearly twice as likely to result in a child fatality
compared to a frontal impact. This is due to vehicle design. Vehicle sides have
less crumple zone that the vehicle front or rear, and therefore provide less
innate protection.
5. will the seat provide child comfort as well as child safety?
Safety should be the primary consideration when choosing your car seat, but there
are some other things to think about too.
A comfortable child is a happier child – and that’s something to plan ahead for on the
many car journeys you are going to make with your little one.
From the daily trips to the longer adventures, look out for added comfort features like
seat recline positions, ergonomic design, seat contouring, deep padding and soft
fabrics.
6. will the car seat be simple and convenient to use? Day in, day out
It’s the little things that can make a big difference. A car seat that is easy to install,
easy to adjust and easy to use can make parents’ lives a whole lot easier. Clever design
features help to make the journey smoother too, like a rotating base for easy loading
and access to your child, and fixed bases that remain permanently installed.
It should be noted that incorrect installation of a car seat vastly reduces it’s safety
performance and the protection provided for your child. Unfortunately, surveys
consistently find that a high proportion of child car seats are fitted incorrectly.
Check if your vehicle is fitted with ISOFIX connections. ISOFIX is a simple system that
provides an easy and correct installation of a car seat on every journey - for extra
peace of mind.
Here at Apramo, we want make safety simple.
We want to simplify the products we make and simplify how people use them in the real world. All of our car seats are carefully conceived. We work our socks off to make every moment safer… and safe in more ways than one. Safety isn’t just about performance, safety is about ease of use, the materials we use and the care we take in how we put things together. Clever design for safe and happy babies.
compare products by specification
choosing your car seat
find the perfect car seat for you
Choosing your car seat is one of the most important safety decisions you will make for your child – and we know that this can be a little daunting. You can rest assured that all car seats available here in the UK are tested, approved and certified, but which seat is the best one for your child?
Here at Apramo we believe in making safety simple. We’ve taken our expertise, real world know-how, and the experiences of parents to create this guide to help you choose the right car seat you and your family.
In this guide, we’ve included some key things to think about, the need- to-knows, and the information you will need to help you navigate the regulations and recommendations.
Wherever your heading, start your journey of exploration here…
first things first...
car seat safety
certification explained
In the UK and EU, car seats are tested and approved to one of the two standards:
ECE R44 uses child weight as the
classification guide
ECE R129/i-Size uses child height as the
classification guide
ECE R44/04
This is the European and UK standard for car seat testing. All car seats must, by law, comply with this standard.
ECE R44 car seats are divided into three groups and it is essential that you choose the right seat that fits your child’s size.
R44 seats can be installed using either the ISOFIX system or the vehicles seat belts.
ECE R129 (i-Size)
This is the latest EU standard and aims to make travelling in a vehicle even safer for
babies. It introduces more stringent testing, more accurate test simulations and more
detailed product specifications.
It is predicted that i-Size will gradually overtake and replace ECE R44, but it is a
certification - not a legal requirement.
The benefit of i-Size
height not weight
Child classification is based on height, not weight This makes it much easier for parents to choose the car seat that best fits their child. A car seat with the optimum child fit will provide the most protection and the best safety performance – and it will be more comfortable too.
side impact protection
Increased side impact protection i-Size testing requires increased levels of side impact performance and improves child head containment within the car seat.
rearward facing travel
Rearward facing travel for longer i-Size regulations extend the period children travel in a rearward facing position, making it mandatory for children up to 76cm high (approx 15 months old).
safer installation
ISOFIX for safer installation. All i-Size seats are ISOIFX compatible, making installation easier and safer. Incorrect installation of a car seat vastly reduces it’s safety performance.
What is ISOFIX?
Car seat shapes and seat belt designs vary dramatically between cars - this can make it tricky to fit a child car seat correctly.
ISOFIX provides an alternative method of installing your child car seat, removing the need to use the car's seat belts to secure it. In short, ISOFIX is an easier, and more secure,way of attaching child seats into vehicles.
The ISOFIX system has fixing points that are built into both the car and the child car seat. ISOFIX seats simply 'plug in' to the corresponding points in the car. An additional top tether or support leg is used to prevent the child seat rotating in the event of an impact.
To find out if your car has ISOFIX, look for labels in the back of your car, or check with the manufacturer.
6 things to think about when choosing your car seat
1. car seat classification is based on a child’s height or weight – not age
Choosing the best fitting car seat for your child crucial to it’s safety performance. Children grow at different rates, and as no one size fits all, using height or
weight as the measurement provides a much more accurate scale.
In the UK and the EU, car seats are approved to one of two regulations:
→ ECE R44 uses child weight as the classification guide
→ ECE R129 / i-Size uses child height as the classification guide
2. will the seat adapt to the needs of your growing child?
We all know that children grow quickly. As they develop and grow, they will need a car seat that matches their changing needs.
Many car seats offer the ability to adapt with the physical development of your child - offering you greater flexibility. Features that provide some room to grow will increase the longevity of use of your car seat, like removable infant inserts, adjustable headrests and larger seat capacities.
3. rearward facing is the safest way to travel?
Extensive testing has proven that a rearward facing position is the safest way to
travel.
In the unfortunate event of a road traffic accident, younger babies are especially
vulnerable to the forces of impact. Rearward facing car seats dissipate the force of
impact over a larger area, and provide better protection for the head and neck.
Research has shown rear facing to be 500% safer up to two years of age.
(Source: Carseat.se)
The risk of serious injury in a high-impact collision is reduced to 8% in a rear facing
seat, compared to 40% in a forward facing seat . (Source: Carseat.se)
4. side impact protection is important too
Side impact collisions make up around 30% of road traffic accidents.
(Source: carseat.se)
Although less common than rear or frontal , side impact collisions can be
equally as dangerous and are nearly twice as likely to result in a child fatality
compared to a frontal impact. This is due to vehicle design. Vehicle sides have
less crumple zone that the vehicle front or rear, and therefore provide less
innate protection.
5. will the seat provide child comfort as well as child safety?
Safety should be the primary consideration when choosing your car seat, but there
are some other things to think about too.
A comfortable child is a happier child – and that’s something to plan ahead for on the
many car journeys you are going to make with your little one.
From the daily trips to the longer adventures, look out for added comfort features like
seat recline positions, ergonomic design, seat contouring, deep padding and soft
fabrics.
6. will the car seat be simple and convenient to use? Day in, day out
It’s the little things that can make a big difference. A car seat that is easy to install,
easy to adjust and easy to use can make parents’ lives a whole lot easier. Clever design
features help to make the journey smoother too, like a rotating base for easy loading
and access to your child, and fixed bases that remain permanently installed.
It should be noted that incorrect installation of a car seat vastly reduces it’s safety
performance and the protection provided for your child. Unfortunately, surveys
consistently find that a high proportion of child car seats are fitted incorrectly.
Check if your vehicle is fitted with ISOFIX connections. ISOFIX is a simple system that
provides an easy and correct installation of a car seat on every journey - for extra
peace of mind.
Here at Apramo, we want make safety simple.
We want to simplify the products we make and simplify how people use them in the real world. All of our car seats are carefully conceived. We work our socks off to make every moment safer… and safe in more ways than one. Safety isn’t just about performance, safety is about ease of use, the materials we use and the care we take in how we put things together. Clever design for safe and happy babies.
compare products by specification
