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Original poster

Car seat for Ukrainian refugees

57 replies

Tulipomania · 23/04/2022 08:03

We are getting ready to welcome a Ukrainian family and I need to get car booster seats. As my own kids are now well into adulthood I would appreciate some advice on what's currently required and what Mumsnetters recommend.
The children are 4 and 10 years old. Does the 10-year old need a booster seat as well?

OP posts:
JurasicPerks · 23/04/2022 08:33

You need to check the height of the oldest. Over 135cm doesn't need anything, but might find one more comfortable. The 5 step test is useful to see if they fit the adult seat properly. I'd probably go for a backless booster for them - mine were out of a high backed booster by that age but did still need a booster cushion.

Depending on the size of the 4 year old, they are also at a transition point. There are weight based seats, that have a 5 point harness upto 18kg, and high backed boosters that go from 15kg. There are also height based seats (I size) that do 5 point harness upto105cm, and high backed boosters from 100cm.
It's basically a big unknown until you see the kids.

timestheyarechanging · 23/04/2022 08:35

Take the children to Halfords and they will advise you, according to age and height.
Hope all goes well with your guests and thank you for helping and hosting them 💐x

TheChurchOfEli · 23/04/2022 08:36

@Tulipomania the 4 year old will likely need a proper seat, even better if it rear faces still. Please do not buy just any old seat from Halfords, they sell seats that, while have passed our basic legal tests, basically crumble during crashes. If you can afford to buy decent seats new I recommend joining “Rear Facing Car Seat Safety” group on Facebook. The admin are incredibly knowledgeable and if you can provide the children’s measurements and your budgets will recommend very safe seats for you.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

10 year olds Families
BewareTheBeardedDragon · 23/04/2022 08:36

I wouldn't buy a backless booster for the 4yo because it's unlikely that they'll be over 22kg or 125cm. Under those heights and weights backless is illegal because it's not safe. None of mine were over 125cm at that age and they've always been tall for their ages.

JurasicPerks · 23/04/2022 08:36

That linked seat you've given is very unlikely to be suitable for the 4 year old. Its what you might need for the 10yr old.

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 23/04/2022 08:36

The 4 yr old will definitely need a car seat, a high backed booster unless they're very small.

The 10 yr old is borderline depending on height. They need a high backed booster till 125cm, they need a booster till 135cm. My 7 yr old is 132cm but she is tall and sturdy for her age about a head taller than the other kids in her class and much more solid.

TheChurchOfEli · 23/04/2022 08:37

Also, don’t just expect Halfords staff to be in ANY way knowledgeable about proper car seat safety.

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 23/04/2022 08:38

Honestly - do a free trial with which. Much better than Halfords - or any shop that wants to sell you stuff.

northstarisnorth · 23/04/2022 08:41

I also agree not to trust Halford's advice, they're not experts, just salespeople.

This lot, on the other hand, are the bee's knees when it comes to advice for car seats.

Give them a bell, they'll talk it through with you on the phone, and they can do delivery.

incarsafetycentre.co.uk/

doggiescats · 23/04/2022 08:41

Oh bless you …buying car seats are a minefield in comparison when my children were little and also there were actual shops you could walk in too and get advice!
I hope all goes well for this poor family and good on you for offering your home 💐

Original poster
Tulipomania · 23/04/2022 08:42

Thanks for the advice, it seems the 2 year old needs a Type 2 seat & the older child does not need one at all. Does this one look OK? Will only be doing short journeys, other than picking up from airport.

www.halfords.com/baby-and-child/car-seats/toddler-car-seats/halfords-essentials-group-2%2F3-high-back-booster-484606.html

OP posts:
mummymummymummummum · 23/04/2022 08:44

I'd recommend making contact with the In Car Safety Centre once you have height/weights of both children. The have a couple of stores, or will advise by phone. They'll take into account car model(s), budget etc as well.

Halfords aren't well regarded for their car seat 'advise'.

TrippinEdBalls · 23/04/2022 08:45

TheChurchOfEli · 23/04/2022 08:36

@Tulipomania the 4 year old will likely need a proper seat, even better if it rear faces still. Please do not buy just any old seat from Halfords, they sell seats that, while have passed our basic legal tests, basically crumble during crashes. If you can afford to buy decent seats new I recommend joining “Rear Facing Car Seat Safety” group on Facebook. The admin are incredibly knowledgeable and if you can provide the children’s measurements and your budgets will recommend very safe seats for you.

Buying an extended rear facing seat in advance for a four year old guest who is staying for an indeterminate length of time is absolutely mad. I know people get completely evangelical about rear facing but surely you can see how this is a crazy thing to expect OP to do? Those seats cost hundreds of pounds.

Original poster
Tulipomania · 23/04/2022 08:45

I need to buy the seat before the family arrives as we will be picking them up from the airport. Thanks to everyone who has provided advice on here. It is quite confusing!

OP posts:
eurochick · 23/04/2022 08:46

Depending on weight it might be legal for the 4 year old but I wouldn't put my child in it.

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 23/04/2022 08:47

Having read the test results from which when I was looking (over years - I have 4dc), I would not buy a Halfords own brand and unfortunately I very much doubt you will get a good safe seat for under £90.
Even in a short journey a car crash could kill or injure a small child. Personally, I wouldn't want to take that risk.

Original poster
Tulipomania · 23/04/2022 08:48

Also the younger child currently just has a booster seat back home where the rules are different. There will be a huge amount of change for them to get used to when they get here and I want to minimise the differences as far as possible to make it easier to adjust.

OP posts:
mummymummymummummum · 23/04/2022 08:48

Tulipomania · 23/04/2022 08:42

Thanks for the advice, it seems the 2 year old needs a Type 2 seat & the older child does not need one at all. Does this one look OK? Will only be doing short journeys, other than picking up from airport.

www.halfords.com/baby-and-child/car-seats/toddler-car-seats/halfords-essentials-group-2%2F3-high-back-booster-484606.html

Halford seats are only impact tested to 30mph and don't perform well in independent tests. In other words they just don't perform well in the event if an accident.

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 23/04/2022 08:49

A cheap booster cushion for the 10yo may well be ok, because at that point all it's offering is extra height so that the seat belt can do its job, but the 4yo really does need a proper hood seat. A high backed booster is fine imo, as long as you get a safe one.

Moochio · 23/04/2022 08:49

Tulipomania · 23/04/2022 08:48

Also the younger child currently just has a booster seat back home where the rules are different. There will be a huge amount of change for them to get used to when they get here and I want to minimise the differences as far as possible to make it easier to adjust.

That doesn't matter though. It has to be legal here and safe. There's no point going for something that's unsuitable just becuase it's what they use at home.

Original poster
Tulipomania · 23/04/2022 08:50

Thanks for the advice about Halfords, I'll take a look at John Lewis & Which - DH has a subscription.

OP posts:
underneathleaf · 23/04/2022 08:50

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 23/04/2022 08:47

Having read the test results from which when I was looking (over years - I have 4dc), I would not buy a Halfords own brand and unfortunately I very much doubt you will get a good safe seat for under £90.
Even in a short journey a car crash could kill or injure a small child. Personally, I wouldn't want to take that risk.

Joie tilt used to be about £60 and is a decent seat.

OP I have a 4 year old and all his friends are in a high backed booster, not dissimilar to your second link. None are tall enough for a booster seat alone. I also teach 10 year olds and I don't think any is short enough to need a seat. I'd definitely wait until you meet the 10 year old.

Moochio · 23/04/2022 08:50

Tulipomania · 23/04/2022 08:42

Thanks for the advice, it seems the 2 year old needs a Type 2 seat & the older child does not need one at all. Does this one look OK? Will only be doing short journeys, other than picking up from airport.

www.halfords.com/baby-and-child/car-seats/toddler-car-seats/halfords-essentials-group-2%2F3-high-back-booster-484606.html

You can crash on any length of journey though

Original poster
Tulipomania · 23/04/2022 08:50

It has to be legal here and safe.

I'm well aware of that, thank you, and will ensure that it is.

OP posts:
BewareTheBeardedDragon · 23/04/2022 08:50

You, as the driver, are responsible in uk law for ensuring your passengers are in a correct legal seat for their size. You cannot put the 4yo in a backless booster cushion because that's what their used to I'm afraid unless you want to risk criminal charges if you were ever pulled over for any reason, or if god forbid the worst happened and there was a serious car crash.