Child Booster Seat

superbiatch · 10-12-2009, 21:44

I've been asked to pick up Mum's foster daughter from school tomorrow and look after her for a few hours, she's 5 (and ever so cute!).

Anyhows, I've got a booster seat for her but can I put this in the passenger seat, or does it have to be the rear? This is all new to me

I think I may even take advantage and go park in the 'parent and child' parking spaces close to the local supermarket

Thanks for any help

Fingy · 10-12-2009, 21:57

Rear, big time!

Think the child is meant to be under 5 to take advantage of the parking spaces but noone else seems to care so why not.

It bugs the life out of me seeing people with 9/10 year olds using it then people with kids who you need a child trolly for have to park somewhere else.

Hom3r · 10-12-2009, 22:06

I would put them in the rear, The only time I have had a child in the front was when there was three of them and the seats wouldn't go in the back

xpod · 10-12-2009, 22:12

VIP`s always travel in the back.

superbiatch · 10-12-2009, 22:13

So I'm assuming its more a safety thing to put it in the back then guys?

@ Fingy, don't spoil my fun - I've waited years for this

Besides, in the Tesco by me they don't even bother taking the kids - they think the child seat warrants the parent/child space

Pia · 10-12-2009, 23:01

My 6 yr old always sits in the front with me

Never been told it's more risky or anything at that age.

webcrawler2050 · 10-12-2009, 23:03

I think "officially" you are suppost to put them with a booster seat in the back and if they don't need a booster, then they can be in the front. I would go for the back. Always.

Pia · 10-12-2009, 23:11

Ah well, i suppose it's up to your own judgement but i'll keep him in the front with me, i don't have a passenger airbag anyway

Quote:

Booster seats and booster cushions 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.

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/types/index.htm

LondonRoad · 11-12-2009, 00:04

Used to be that it had it be in the rear and it is safer. I think the parent and child parking is really intended for Parents with children of a pram utilising age.

but I've seen parents parking with kids and they're going into the shops to buy the "kid" razor blades... so what do I know.

I prefer my kids in the back because I find it less distracting.

I've got this crazy thing about it being important to be able to concentrate on the road when you're in charge of a lethal weapon.

It depends on your own persona. Some people seem quite happy to have their kids twiddling knobs, playing with controls, throwing your treasured CD at you while your reverse parking...etc. I'm not one of those people....

TENSE ain't the word for it!

Flyboy · 11-12-2009, 01:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pia

Ah well, i suppose it's up to your own judgement but i'll keep him in the front with me, i don't have a passenger airbag anyway

Quote:

Booster seats and booster cushions 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

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/types/index.htm

Not something to be ignored.

Having spent a good proportion of my working life in the motor trade, I have seen some rather gruesome outcomes of children being in the front seats of cars involved in RTCs, airbag or not.

What I have always failed to understand is, why any parent would even consider allowing their child to travel in a car without even a seatbelt.

Charlie_Bubble · 11-12-2009, 04:00

Don't put a small child in the front of a car with an airbag in the passenger side. The airbag could do more damage to a child than any minor collision.

Paul · 11-12-2009, 07:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie_Bubble

Don't put a small child in the front of a car with an airbag in the passenger side. The airbag could do more damage to a child than any minor collision.

Definitely, if you have an air bag then the back seats are the best place for any children. If you can't get them in the back then make sure the passenger seat is as far back as possible. If you need more advice most local borough / councils have road safety departments whose main role is advising on these things.

superbiatch · 11-12-2009, 08:39

Decision made - thanks for your assistance guys

She's going in the back, I'm really not that bothered where she sits - I just remember being her age and wanting to see the world from mum's seat

but i do have passenger airbags so going with the majority here in regards to safety.

D_Skids · 11-12-2009, 09:01

If you or anyone else had to use the passenger seat I believe most modern cars have an option to turn off the passenger airbag. In my car there is a key slot in the passenger door (you can only see it when the door is open) that you have to turn off with the ignition key. Remember to turn it back on when you don't have a child in the front, although I am fairly certain the car will beep at you or something to remind you that it is off. In fact I am going to test that theory out on my car as I have never turned the passenger airbag off.

**Kymmy** · 11-12-2009, 09:16

Another page from the excellent site that Pia posted details the full law

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/law/index.htm