Now confused about ERF....

[Whyisitalwayscloudyabove]

I currently have my 2 yr old in a besafe izi combi isofix seat . I still regularly research ERF as im due another baby and find it an interesting subject . However, I'm now confused about a few things .....

One of the threads on here mentions a website for an Essex car safety site with info from experts as to whether rear facing is safer ... I read this article and im now questioning if rear facing is actually safer in a rear end or side impact collision... Can anyone clarify?

In a rear facing seat, where are the straps supposed to sit? The manufacturer instructions say shoulder height, but a few people mention the straps should be just below the shoulders ? I thought it was unsafe to have the straps coming up from lower than the shoulder?

There seems to be some confusion as to whether the passenger seat in front should be touching the rear facing seat ... The instructions say to have the izi braced against the passenger seat - the same for my two way elite . Can anyone advise how theirs is fitted?

Thanks .

[nicm]

hi, if it's this site www.carseatinfo.co.uk/index.cfm?sid=19086&pid=292368&item=29819 it isn't the essex car safety centre website! this is the correct/official one, www.childcarsafetyseats.co.uk/index.html.

there is loads of info on here about rf and if you have any questions about rf email this site and he will get back to you. i have emailed with questions in the past and have got quick replies. also the essex carsafety team, vicki or cathy are very helpful, even if you don't live in essex. or simon at the in car safety centre knows his stuff and is very helpful!

i have a twe and hi-way 2 and the straps are in the closest slot to their shoulders. i was reading the hi-way instructions and it said when the straps are in the top slot the child can continue to wear the harness until their eyeline is above the seat shell. not sure how above but will find out when the time comes.

the twe should be braced against the front of seat, the hi-way should have at least 1cm gap. all seats are different, so either check where you got it or check the instructions. sorry don't know about the besafe.

the side impact info from what i remember is that most people break before collision so the child is pushed into the rf seat as opposed to thrown forwards before impact iykwim.

there is info on rear shunts too, but can't find it atm...maybe the rf website and look through the links.

:)

[justforinfo]

Rear facing is definately safer as it protects against the most dangerous and high force collisions, which are frontal/frontal offset collisions (as you prob know :) )
When it comes to side impacts, they are generally at pretty low speeds but from what I can find out it doesn't make a difference what way the child faces (i'm thinking - car going into the side of another car... well the child will go sideways??!!)
With rear impacts - they are again statistically at very low speeds and forces, also if you are stationary and someone smacks you from behind the car gets shunted forward - so the child will be cushioned by the seat back.

Also.. the seat you have is one of only a few that have passed the Swedish pass plus - which is THE most vigorous crash test about :)

As for the straps - ideally sitting level with the child's shoulder, dipping no more than an inch at the absolute most

Fitting - each seat requires different bracing so it is best to check your manual :)