Changes to UK's Baby Car Seat Law Are Set

The changes to the law are set to come into force by 1st March 2017.

It's the law to have a properly-fitted car seat for babies and infants, but new research claims that a third of child car seats are incorrectly installed. If you have young children, here's what you need to know:

Children have to sit in a car seat until they're 12 years old or 4'5", which ever comes first.

Babies up to 15 months old must travel in a rear-facing seat, the seat can be rear or front facing if they are older.

Car seats should be replaced once the top of their head is level with the top of the seat.

If your baby weighs less than 9 kg, they should travel in a carrier rather than a child seat.

Once your child weighs around 15 kg, you can sit them in a backless booster seat.

The law is changing on new backless booster seats entering the market after March 1st. They're going to be banned for children under 4'1" and weighing less than 22 kg because experts believe they're not as safe as seats with backs.

When choosing a seat, look for one with a diagonal strap, one that is designed to be used with a lap seat belt, or one with ISOFIX anchor points which will keep the chair attached to the seat of the car.