Car seats in the front of a car

[TwinklyLightsForXmas]

I've been letting my 4 year old DS sit in the front of the car in his car seat, with the air bag switched off obviously. DP thinks this is really dangerous and that he should always be in the back. Any views? He's in a forward facing seat now but there's no isofix in the front. Happy to admit I'm wrong if the majority view is don't do it....this isn't about proving him wrong! Thanks x

[GummyGoddess]

It is much safer for him to be in the back. Your dp is correct.

[Lazypuppy]

I've always had my LO in the front since she was born (obviously she's rear facing and i have isofox.

I plan on always having her in the front

[Lazypuppy]

Also, although they are safer in the bavk, depends how often you would be turning around to speak to them etc. In that sense safer to have them in the front and keep you focus on the road without distractions behind you

[rosesarered9]

If he's in a forward-facing seat, the airbag doesn't need to be switched off. It is much safer to sit in the back.

[GummyGoddess]

You don't need to turn around to speak to them while driving, you use mirrors for that.

[aniawl]

Much safer in the back. In some parts of Europe it’s illegal to have kids under 12 in the front.

[Thehop]

Much much safer in the back

[Fatted]

It's safer in the back. Although DS1 sits in the front in DH car sometimes. Neither sit in the front of my car because of the side airbag.

[Idontbelieveinthemoon]

Mine just haven't ever been allowed in the front since they were born, so it's never been an issue. DS1 is 12 now, so sits in the front. When DS2 is old/tall enough I'll let him, but for the time being he's safer by far in a proper car seat on the rear passenger side - I can still see him in my mirror, we chat on our way to anywhere and I can pass him things in an emergency.

[Eeeeek2]

It's much safer in the back.

[MsHopey]

I've got a tiny convertible with a back seat that couldn't fit anything on, definitely not a car seat
I tried selling it for ages before DS was born, but because some arsehole keyed it's not worth anywhere near what I paid for it and couldn't afford to take such a massive loss with no money to buy a new one.
DS has been in the front seat since he was born, with the air bag off, obviously. And the seat pushed back as far as possible. Fingers crossed we don't have accidents anyways but I've done the safest possible thing I could.

[Stringofpearls]

It partly depends on the car seat you have, mine is supposed to be just as safe in the front as the back.

[CheeseRollingChampion]

It is statistically much, much safer in the back. Mine are always in the back. Occasionally they now sit in the front as a treat but only on a short journey. I've never put a car seat in the front seat. They've only gone in the front with boosters once they have been over 6/7.

[MrsT4]

Safest position in the car is rear facing in the front, with airbag off. Isofix isn't any safer than belted if fitted correctly.
I wouldn't have them forward facing in the front at all. Too risky.

[Gatehouse77]

Whilst safer in the back at times mine have been in the front. Either for logistics or because it was safer so I could reach them if needed (asthma/reflux type things).

I wouldn't have them in the front routinely but, like most things, the odd occasion is okay if necessary/needed.

[Stickitupthebunting]

If he were rear facing in the front, that's safer than ff in the back. Ff, I think the back is safer, the middle seat being safest from side impact.

[NoNamesLeft86]

Back is much safer.