Frequently Asked Questions

1. How far in advance should I make my appointment?

If you are expecting a baby, we recommend having your seat or capsule fitted 2-3 weeks before your due date.  For most parents, this will cover most eventualities.

For a regular seat fitting, booking around a week in advance will usually guarantee a reasonable choice of times.

 

2.   Do I need to bring my child along to the fitting?

This is usually not necessary, and can be pretty distracting for the parents. Next time your child is in their seat, take note of where their shoulders come to – this is the most important information we need.  However, kids are certainly very welcome, particularly at the Mona Vale showroom and workshop where there are toys, bathrooms, chairs and a change table.

The one time we would recommend bringing your child would be if you are considering changing from a seat to a booster. It may then be worthwhile for us to have a look and ensure they are big enough to make that move safely.

If you have any concerns about how your child looks in their seat, by all means bring them along and we are always happy to give advice or make any necessary adjustments.

  

3.      What does a fitting consist of?

We will inspect and adjust the restraint if necessary, and then secure it in so that it feels like a part of the car.  We will then take 10-15 minutes to show you how to use it correctly.  How tight is tight enough with the harness straps, how to avoid head control problems, how and when to adjust those straps as your baby grows, how to avoid twists, how to do it all without hurting your back and more.

This really is essential information for all parents, particularly with your first baby.

 

4. Is it a legal requirement to have seats professionally fitted?

No. You can install your own restraint as every seat comes with a very comprehensive instruction manual.  However, once installed, your seat should feel like it is part of the car.  If there is sideways movement then it is probably not fitted sufficiently tight.  Keep in mind the job you are asking it to do, and think whether you would feel secure in the car if your own seat moved around that much.

NEAR ENOUGH IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH IN THIS REGARD.

If you've fitted it yourself, you absolutely should take it to an authorised fitting station to be checked.  You will then have a RMS Inspection Certificate to show at the hospital.  Both the NRMA and RMS strongly recommend having your seats checked if you have fitted them yourself.

 

5. Will Pearce’s check my restraint if I have fitted it myself?

Yes.   Bring your vehicle to Pearce’s Child Restraints and we will check it free of charge.  If it is all correct, we can fill out a RMS Inspection slip for you and there is no charge. 

If your seat is unsafe and you would like us to refit it for you, then the standard fitting fee of $55 applies.  Every fitting includes a comprehensive lesson with practical advice specific to your restraint and age and size of your child.  Just call our office and make an appointment.

 

6. What is the safest position in the car for my baby/child?

The centre rear position was historically the safest position in the car, because you were furthest from the outside of the car in every direction.  However, modern cars have vastly improved crash protection features, and good quality seats also have a considerable amount of inbuilt side impact protection.  This means in practice there isn’t much difference between seating positions, as long as they are not sitting in the front.

As a practical matter, reaching across to get someone into the centre seat position places a lot of strain on what may be weakened back muscles.  Also, the shape of the car’s back seat means you achieve a better fit in the two ‘bucket’ type seats, rather than the ‘bump’ shaped centre seating position.

 

7. Will I be able to fit three restraints across the back seat of my car?

This often depends more on the seats that you have, than the car that you have.  At this point I would strongly recommend coming to see us, because this is where things can get really difficult.  It can depend on the layout of your car, on the ages and stages of your children, and on your existing restraints.

It is unusual for us to not be able to fit three of something across the back, but if you have two children in boosters and a rearward facing newborn, you may be in trouble in some vehicles.

Pearce’s has years of experience dealing with just this problem, and can almost always come up with a practical, workable solution.  Call us and book in for an appointment.

8. Should I hire or buy a baby capsule?

Baby capsules are a very handy way to transport your baby, hopefully without having to wake them up.  However they are expensive to buy considering they have a relatively short useful life of 6 months or less.  It makes good economic sense to hire a capsule, the main consideration being whether it will fit on your stroller. 

Pearce’s hire out the Maxi Cosi and Britax Unity carriers, which are compatible with the majority of strollers, but you would need to double check with your baby store first. 

Every capsule hired out from us is thoroughly sanitised and checked, and all necessary parts are supplied with the capsule rental. 

Capsule hire includes us fitting it into your car, and a comprehensive lesson in how to use it.

 

9. How long will I need to use a capsule for?

Most babies can use a capsule for around four to six months, in terms of their size.  The capsule will have a shoulder height marker to tell you when they have physically outgrown it.  However, we often find the weight of the baby and capsule together becomes unmanageable for many mums, sometimes well before the six month mark. If you are removing the baby from the capsule while the capsule itself stays in the car, then you may as well change to a seat.  There is more padding and more space in a seat, and a big baby who is getting a bit squashed inside a capsule may become a happier traveller once they are out of it.

 

10. Is a baby capsule better or safer than a convertible seat?

Convertible seats and baby capsules are tested to the same high Australian Standard.  There is no difference in terms of safety, so the main advantage of a capsule is that it allows you to move the baby in and out of the car hopefully without the baby being disturbed.  This gives parents the flexibility to be out and about when it suits you, rather than being tied to baby’s sleep times.

There is no law or recommendation that says you must start out with a capsule, it is a decision entirely up to parents.  In our experience, it is approximately half of parents use a capsule, and half go straight to a convertible seat.

 

11. What should I dress my baby in when in their restraint?

Your baby must be unwrapped, as the five point harness buckle comes up between their legs.  It is better to have them a little underdressed, because that way you can achieve a nice snug fit with the harness straps, and then place a blanket over them if you think necessary.  Remember, it is not usually cold inside the car itself, and the lack of moving air means they can quickly overheat.

Take a bit of extra care if your child is in a hoodie, because the extra layers of fabric around their neck mean it can be difficult to get the harness straps nice and close to their neck.  Ideally, the harness straps on their chest want to look more like this ( l l ) than this ( V ).

 

12. My baby has outgrown the capsule, what is the next step?

Most babies will outgrow a capsule around the 4-6 month mark, although the Britax Unity is rated to last until 12 months.  There are seats available which go from 6 months to 7-8 years, and while this would seem to be the perfect solution, we would never recommend this.  The seats that say 6 months+ are really only indicating that they are a forward facing seat only –  they are NOT suggesting that you put a 6 month old baby in that forward facing seat. 

We would strongly recommend buying an infant seat, most of which are capable of rearward facing for at least two years.  Then if further down the track another baby comes, you can turn the infant seat back around for the baby, and then buy a 6m to 7-8 years seat for the older child.  This way you have done the best possible thing in terms of safety, and you also have a logical progression of seats.

 

 

13. What are the laws around child restraints?

There are three parts to the child restraint laws, which were federalised in 2010. 

• Firstly, your baby must travel rearward facing for at least the first six months.
• Secondly, your child must be in a seat with an inbuilt harness at least until they turn 4. 
• Finally, your child must be boosted or appropriately restrained at least until they turn 7.

However, the recommendations are now significantly different due to advances in child restraint design.

It is now strongly recommended to keep your child rearward facing for two years or more.  This can only be done in seats that are built for it, so check your instructions or the shoulder markers inside your child’s seat to ensure that extended rearward facing is possible.  This is indicated by three height markers instead just a top and bottom marker.

Once your child is forward facing, they must stay in a harnessed seat until at least 4, although it is possible to be in a harnessed seat until the age of 7 or 8.  If you have a 0-4 seat, then wait until your child has physically grown out of it before progressing them to a booster.

While your child legally can come out of their seat or booster at age 7, it is strongly recommended by safety bodies such as the NRMA, RMS and Kidsafe, that they be boosted to a height of 145cms.  For most kids, this is most of the way through primary school.  This is to ensure that when they are no longer using a restraint, they are tall enough to be correctly using the cars’ own safety system – the seatbelt and airbags.  Keep in mind, cars are built to fit adult sized bodies.

Having an unrestrained or incorrectly restrained child in your car can result in a large fine and 3 points off your licence, PER CHILD. This becomes 6 points PER CHILD in double demerit periods.

 

14. What about child restraints in taxis or Uber?

Taxis and Uber are treated differently when it comes to child restraints.  UberX is considered to be the same as a taxi, and has the following regulations.

The law requires you to have a child between 0-6mths in a properly fastened and adjusted rearward facing restraint in any vehicle. 

From 6mths - 12mths they must be in a properly fastened and adjusted restraint, but it can be either rearward or forward facing and must have an in-built harness (not be a booster seat).

Beyond one year of age, they are only required to have a dedicated seatbelt (not be on your lap or sharing a seatbelt).  They may use a booster seat if the vehicle provides one.

Children under four years must not sit in the front.

Children aged between 4 and 7 years can sit in the front provided all rear seats are taken by children under 7 years.

Regular Uber vehicles are required to follow the exact same child restraint laws that any normal vehicle is subject to (see Q.13 above).

Buses are not required to provide restraints of any sort, but you can certainly take a capsule on the bus.  Beyond capsule size, you would just carry the baby in your arms.

 

15. Is there any problem using a seat brought in from overseas?

It is not legal to use restraints here that have been brought in from overseas as they do not meet the Australian Standard.  Most will not have the top tether strap or rebound/stabilising bar which are required on seats here, and they may not have been crash tested for rear and side impacts, nor for rollovers as restraints are required to be here. Foreign capsules often don't have a base part, or even a harness that is required to go around the child's waist.

All seats and boosters used here must have the AUS/NZ Standard sticker on them, usually found on the back of or underneath the frame.

In the event of an accident, the Police will determine that your seat is not legal, and the consequences will include a fine and points off your licence. 

 

16. Do I need to wear a seat belt when pregnant?

Absolutely.  No matter what stage of your pregnancy, it is vital that you always wear a seat belt.  By wearing a seatbelt you are protecting yourself and your unborn baby in the event of a crash.  It is illegal to not wear a seatbelt unless you have a medical exemption. 

Wear your seatbelt with the lap part low across the top of your thighs rather than around the bulge of your tummy.  The sash part of the belt should cross between your breasts – you can adjust the angle of the seat belt by using height adjustor which is found at the point where the seatbelt comes out of the frame of the car.

 

 

17. Why does my baby have to travel rearward facing?

The highest impact accidents most commonly happen at the front of the car.  This means that a rearward facing restraint will allow the forces of any impact to be spread more widely and the baby’s spine, neck and head are all fully supported by the structure of the seat or capsule.  Keep in mind that a babies’ head may account for more than 30% of their body weight, and that it is supported by a relatively undeveloped frame.  By comparison, an adult’s head is usually 8% or less of our body weight and on a fully developed frame. 

Once the child is sitting forward facing, they are relying on the harness straps to hold them in, rather than the full frame of the seat.  They then look a bit like a racing car driver, securely held in their seat with a 6 point harness.  

 

18. How long can I keep my child rearward facing?

It is now strongly recommended to keep your child rearward facing for two years or more.  This can only be done in seats that are built for it, so check your instructions or the shoulder markers inside your child’s seat to ensure that extended rearward facing is possible.  This is indicated by three height markers instead of just a top and bottom marker.

The bottom marker says you MUST rearward face until the child’s shoulders reach here, and the top marker says when your shoulders reach here you are too big for this seat altogether.  A seat that allows extended rearward facing will have a third shoulder height marker that is usually about 4cms above the bottom one.  It will say you MAY rearward face up until this marker, and beyond that you must turn your seat forward facing.  For most children this is somewhere between 2 and 3 years of age.

From a safety perspective, the longer you can keep your child rearward facing the better.

 

19. What if my child doesn’t like rearward facing?

Your child simply doesn’t know any different.  They are not sitting there wishing they were facing forwards, unless they have spent time in another car in which they were forward facing.  If you wish to keep your child rearward facing as long as possible, then everybody must be singing from the same song sheet in this respect. 

If your child is comfortable in their seat and with the height of their harness straps, and you removed the newborn insert when it looked like things were becoming crowded, then there is no real reason for them to not enjoy their seat.

We do recommend using a mirror so that baby and driver can see each other.  Your baby can hear and smell you, but can sometimes become distressed if they can’t see you.  We sell the best mirrors on the market – the Britax mirror is adjustable through 360 degrees, and has a large, crystal clear face so you get an excellent view of each other.

 

20. What if my child gets car sick rearward facing?

This is an issue that can come up whether you are rearward or forward facing.  Motion sickness can come on regardless of the direction of travel.  Frequently we see seats that are poorly fitted and this allows excess movement in the seat when cornering.  This would certainly add to the problem of carsickness.  Your child’s seat should feel completely secure in the car. 

The only other recommendation for rearward facing babies would be to have a good mirror, so that you can keep an eye on them if it sounds like they are going to be sick, and allow plenty of fresh air to circulate around them.

 

21. When is my child too big for the restraint I am using?

Most current car seats have a height marker on the fabric of the inside of the restraint, right next to where the child’s shoulder is.  The top height marker tells you that when their shoulder is in line with the marker, they have physically outgrown their seat. 

Alternatively, once your child's shoulders have grown past the top harness setting so that the straps are having to come up and over their shoulders, it's time to move on.

Ideally, a child stays in each restraint until they no longer physically fit it.  There is absolutely no advantage in progressing to the next stage before you absolutely have to.

If you are unsure about your child in their restraint, we are always happy to take a look and advise you.

 

22. Is it safe to use a second hand restraint?

The NRMA does not recommend the use of second hand restraints unless the full history of the restraint is known.  There is no real way of knowing if a seat has been involved in an accident, so it is best to only use seats that have come from someone you trust.

Also, seats have a 10 year useful life.  They are essentially made of plastic, which does eventually degrade and become brittle over time, regardless of whether it has been used much nor not.  All seats will have a date of manufacture on them somewhere, either a sticker or a date stamp on the plastic at the back or underneath.  Keep in mind too that you will be needing to use that seat for a few years yourself, so you may not want a seat that is more than five or six years old.

It is not legal to use restraints here that have been brought in from overseas as they do not meet the Australian Standard.  Most will not have the top tether strap or rebound/stabilising bar which are a requirement on seats here, and they may not have been crash tested for rear and side impacts, nor for rollovers as they are here.  All capsules, seats and boosters used here must have the AUS/NZ Standard sticker on them, usually found on the back of or underneath the frame.

 

23. Can I still use my child restraint if our car has been in an accident?

Mostly no, but maybe yes.  Essentially a seat is designed for one impact only, most particularly if the child was in the seat at the time of the crash.  However, a low impact accident where the child was not in the seat should be ok.

The problem is that there is no real way to tell what stresses the seat has undergone, and that is why most insurance companies will err on the side of replacing child restraints.  At Pearce’s we have  considerable experience dealing with insurance companies, and are happy to provide you with advice or a quote for replacement seats that you can send to your insurer.  This usually speeds up the admin process for you a fair bit.

 

24. How much should I spend on a child restraint?

The ideal child restraint is one that balances safety, practicality and budget.  You want to have the best possible safety features, but it has to fit in your car (and with any future additions to the family), and it needs to be as affordable as possible.  This is where Pearce’s stands out – we are happy to explain the benefits and drawbacks of all our seats, and come up with the one that suits you best.  It is quite an individual thing, and we will always tailor our advice to your specific needs.

Remember that this is one purchase that may be called on to save their life.

It can be quite a confusing area, and it is much better to get the right advice before you buy a seat which you may not be able to return.  We have fitted  100,000+ seats over 17 years, so you simply will not get better advice anywhere.

 

25. Is there much difference between restraints?

Yes.  There is a great deal of difference between makes and models.  The most expensive seats have fabulous safety features but tend to be very big, and in many cars, are not a practical purchase. The least expensive seats tend to require manual re-threading of harness straps and often cannot rearward face for as long as other seats.

Ease of use is something that absolutely should be considered, because you will be taking your children in and out of these seats every single day for years to come. Experience shows that if seats are hard to use or adjust, they are generally not going to be used properly and the level of safety they provide drops away.  Again, good advice can save you years of frustration and ensure that you and your child have the best possible safety outcome.

 

26. Can I still use my backless booster (booster cushion)?

No.  While they can be found online, anything purchased from overseas will not be legal here.  Any booster or seat must have an Aus/NZ standards sticker on it.

Booster cushions are no longer manufactured because they offer zero side impact protection.  Current safety regulations are all about side impact protection, to minimise injuries to the spine, neck and head caused by accidents that happen to the side of the car.

27. When should I put my child in a booster?

Booster seats are theoretically suitable for children over the age of 4 years.  It is recommended to keep your child in their infant seat until they no longer physically fit it.  For most children, this would be closer to four and a half or five.

There are now seats on the market which allow children to be in a harnessed seat to the age of 7 or 8, and this would have to be considered a safer option.  We find many parents nowadays keep their kids harnessed to around 6 or 7, and then boosted for the last few years.

A booster is designed to “boost” a child up to be in the correct position to use the adult seatbelt.  A good quality booster will be adjustable, have plenty of side impact protection, and preferably have the Slideguard clip that comes between their legs and sits over the lap belt.  This prevents submarining, which refers to sliding under your seatbelt in the event of sudden braking.  Submarining can cause major abdominal injuries and is something to avoid at all costs.

 

28. When can my child come out of their booster?

All the safety bodies such as the NRMA, RMS and Kidsafe recommend boosting your child to a height, rather than the legislated minimum of 7 years.  The recommended height is 145 cms.  For most kids, this is most of the way through primary school.  This is because cars are built to suit adult sized frames, and an average seven year old is a long way from being adult sized.

A good way to see whether your child fits the car is to sit them on the back seat without a booster, sitting up nice and straight with their back against the back of the seat.  If their knees can bend at the end of the seat, and their feet touch the floor, then they fit the car.  If not, then they will slump down to bend their legs, and the lap belt is then not across their bony hips but across the soft part of their tummy.  Also, the top part of their seatbelt won’t be centred across their chest and shoulders, it will be up under their chin.  This is both unsafe and uncomfortable, and often means they will tuck the seatbelt under their arm, with predictably disastrous results.

While most boosters are built around the legislation which requires you to boost your child until the age of 7 years, there is one booster on the market which will take your child all the way through to the recommended height.  Feel free to call and we can explain all the advantages of keeping your child boosted for longer. 

 

29. Can I use an after-market harness to make my booster safer?

The NRMA and RMS do not recommend the use of an additional harness when using a booster seat.  This is because they are a difficult and time consuming thing to use each and every time your child gets in and out of the car.  Because they are difficult, they are very often used incorrectly, and can subsequently result in a worse safety outcome in the event of a crash than a stand-alone booster.

If you feel uncomfortable with your child in a booster seat, there is the option to stay in a harnessed seat to the age of 7-8 before transitioning to a booster seat.  Feel free to call for advice in this area.

 

 

30. What is ISOFIX and do I need it?

ISOFIX is a method of connecting your child restraint to the car.  It can replace the use of the car’s own seatbelt, which was the traditional method of installing a seat or capsule. 

As a general rule, ISOFIX is only available on the more expensive seats, and is only useful if your car comes with its own ISOFIX connection points.  Most European cars have ISOFIX, and many Japanese, Korean, American and Australian cars do too.  Check your car’s manual, or physically inspect the car itself and you should be able to figure out if your car has ISOFIX.

Using ISOFIX allows for easier removal and installation of your child restraint, so if you will be regularly taking it in and out, then ISOFIX would be useful for you.  If you think the seat will just go in and stay in, then you may decide it is not worth the added expense.

ISOFIX is only available on infant seats.  There is no ISOFIX for children beyond 4 years of age in Australia.  As a general rule, most cars have only two ISOFIX positions.  

31. Is ISOFIX safer than a regular seat?

Not necessarily.  ISOFIX is more an improvement in ease of use, if you intend to take your seat in and out of the car.  It is certainly still possible to fit your seat too loosely with ISOFIX.  The fact that Australian seats and capsules use a top tether strap means that ISOFIX is not the jump in safety here that it was when originally introduced in Europe.  Recent studies in the U.S. show that around 40% of parents were not able to correctly secure their child restraint into the car using ISOFIX (called LATCH in the U.S.).

There is simply no substitute for correct fitting.  At Pearce’s, every fitting we do includes a lesson in using your restraint.  Once you know better, you do better and there is little point having a restraint if you are using it incorrectly.

 

32. Can I install aftermarket ISOFIX connectors in my car?

Yes, although this is something that is definitely not recommended by the RMS.  You would need to contact your mechanic or an engineer for advice before proceeding here.

33. Can I convert my normal seat into an ISOFIX seat?

No.  While there are aftermarket ISOFIX kits for seats available on eBay etc., these are not legal in this country and should not be used.

 

 

34. Does my car have anchor points?

The best way to check if your car has anchor points for a child restraint is to check the car owner’s manual.  The index will list child car restraints and you can then check where the anchorage points are in your vehicle.  All passenger cars (since 1977) and 4WD’s (since 1990), most dual cabs and utes, and some late model commercial vehicles will have anchor points fitted, or at least have provision for them to be easily attached.

 

35. Can I fit an anchor point myself?

Yes.  We would strongly advise checking your cars’ manual to make sure you are using the correct location.  Usually there is some indication such as a removable plug, or access way cut into the carpet or plastic overlay to tell you that you are on the right track.  DO NOT DRILL ANY HOLES OR DOUBLE UP EXISTING ANCHOR POINTS.  This is illegal and unsafe. 

The correct anchor point location will be a spot that is sufficiently reinforced to cope with the stress of an accident.  Be wary of luggage tie down points, because they can look like anchor points but are nowhere near as strong.  If we are going to fit a seat for you, then location and installation of a regular anchor point would always be an included part of the job.  Dual cabs or commercial vehicles requiring extra parts not included.

 

36. Can I have extra anchor points installed in my vehicle?

Sometimes.  We generally need to have a look at the vehicle to make sure there is access and that it is structurally suitable.  The price depends on what exactly is required, but $500 would be standard.

 

 

37. When can my child sit in the front seat?

Car manufacturers without exception recommend staying in the rear seats until your child is AT LEAST 12 years old.  The NRMA would recommend that no child under the age of 12 ride in the front if there are rear seating positions with a seatbelt available.

According to Australian child restraint regulations, children aged 7 and under MUST sit in the rear seats and be restrained in a harnessed seat or booster.

It is legal to put a child above the age of 4 in the front ONLY when all the rear seat restraints are taken up with younger children. 

A child under 7 in the front MUST be restrained in an untethered booster seat.  You cannot put a regular booster that requires an anchor point in the front seat because there are no anchor points to attach it to.

It is not legal to put a child under four in the front seat if there are rear seats in the car.  There is no such thing as an untethered infant seat.  All infant seats have a top tether strap that must be connected to an anchor point.

 

38. Can I fit a child restraint in the front seat if there are no rear seats?

If the car has only one row of seats (for example a single cab ute or sports car with a front anchorage point) then a child of any age can sit in the front seat provided they are properly restrained.  However, it is strongly recommended that you never put a rearward facing restraint in front of an airbag. 

Ideally you wouldn’t put a child in front of an airbag unless you had absolutely no other alternative.  If you must however, we would recommend sliding the car seat as far back as it can go to minimise the impact of the airbag.

 

39. What is the problem with airbags and children?

Where a forward mounted airbag is present, placing a child in front of it who is 12 years or under is highly dangerous.  The airbag is designed to deploy at the height of the chest of an adult male, and with the mass of an adult body in mind.  If a child is seated in front of that airbag, it will deploy at the height of their neck and head, with possibly disastrous results.

Side or curtain airbags in the rear seating area are not a problem, as modern seats have sufficient side impact protection to prevent contact between the child’s head and the airbag.  However, if your child is old enough to be out of a restraint, try to ensure that they don’t fall asleep with their head against the side of the car.

 

 

40. What is the point in hiring a mobile bassinet?

The people that have them find them incredibly helpful in easing the transition from hospital to home.  They are exactly the same as the ones in hospitals, with a stainless steel frame, perspex crib, waterproof mattress and a pair of plastic trays that hold your nappies etc. 

They can be wheeled from room to room, helping to avoid the strain of carrying your baby, particularly useful after a caesarean.  The wheels are lockable and completely silent, and also have large rubber bumpers to protect doorways.  Your baby can fall asleep alongside you and then be wheeled to their own room or just to somewhere quiet in the daytime.

The bassinet can double as a baby bath, and is also able to be set in a slightly elevated position to help ease reflux.

We recommend you call and book your bassinet well ahead of your due date to avoid disappointment.

 

41. What areas do you deliver bassinets to?

We deliver free to most areas of the northern beaches and north shore.  Call our office to find out what days of the week we deliver to your area.

 

42. Will a mobile bassinet fit in the boot of my car?

The mobile bassinets are not huge, but they don’t fold down in any way.  They will generally only fit in the boot of a large 4WD, or an SUV or hatch where you are able to fold seats down.  It is fairly unlikely that one will fit into a sedan.

 

43. What linen should I use on the bassinet?

A standard size pillow case will fit over the mattress, then a cot sheet folded in half or baby blanket over the top.  There is no need to have a new mattress, because they are waterproof and washable, and also because you will be putting your own linen over the mattress itself.

 

44. What is the length of warranty on my Safe-n-Sound restraint?

All Britax seats have a warranty of 5 years on the frame and either 1 or 2 years on the fabric cover.  However, if you go online to the Britax website, you can register your purchase and this doubles the warranty to 10 years on the frame and 5 years on the fabric (if your seat has the Thermo5 bamboo fabric).

This is effectively a lifetime warranty as seats are only recommended to be used up to 10 years from the date of manufacture.

 

45. Who do I speak to regarding my warranty with Britax seats?

You can simply call us on 9997 4602.  You will need to bring the restraint to us for inspection, and we can then deal with Briotax on your behalf.  In our experience they are very accommodating in terms of warranty, probably because issues happen so rarely.

 

46. What is the Crash Exchange program?

If your Britax child restraint is involved in a severe crash and is not replaced by your insurance company, it may be considered eligible for replacement with a Britax restraint of the same or similar design and features.

Visit www.britax.com.au and read the full terms and conditions before proceeding with an application.

 

47. Can I get a replacement instruction manual for my Britax seat?

There is a comprehensive list of manuals available online at britax.com.au.  For an actual replacement booklet, call Britax Childcare on 1300 303 330.