Anyone from Warrington? Where to get a new car seat fitted?

[HurdyGurdy19]

My son had an accident in his car yesterday. His child's seat was in the car, so as we understand it, even though the child wasn't in the seat, it needs to be replaced following an accident.

The issue is that his son lives in Warrington (we are about 200 miles away) and my son is going to visit on Sunday, stay a few days, and take his son out each day. The child's mother doesn't drive, so hasn't got a seat that he can use, so he will need to go and get a replacement.

He is aware of Smyths toy shop which sells car seats, but is there anywhere else that could be recommended to try?

Halfords

We bought a lot of our baby stuff from Winstanleys Pramworld in Wigan and were impressed. Iirc they had a good range of car seats. They're not far from Warrington if he wanted to give them a try.

Thank you - will pass those on 😊

Do not go to Smyths or Halfords. They give terrible advice. There used to be a super retailer called Cheshire ERF. Worth having a look to see if she is still around? I've bought cots and buggy accessories from Winstanleys online and always had a good service.

Agree with Winstanley's and Cheshire ERF.

If he must go to a chain, John Lewis and Mamas and Papas tend to be OK - the advice and models available at Halfords and Smyths are often poor.

If he has to go to Smyths or Halfords, would recommend sticking with the brands Joie or Graco.

How old is the child? If you are just replacing like for like, the best thing would be to just order the same seat online.

Also, keep the receipt of any new car seat purchased as his car insurance should reimburse him.

I think the problem is they need it for tomorrow.

Winstanleys pramworld is good but doesn’t always have the seat in stock so worth getting in touch with them first.

Another vote for winstanleys but Halfords will fit it for you there and then too

He's 13, but he wears age 7-8 clothes. He's tiny (autistic and globally delayed).

My daughter used to fit car seats and she checked that her daughter's old seat fitted him, but it is quite old, so I don't even know if it is still available.

The other potential issue is that following the accident his insurance company has provided him with a hire car, which is different to his own car, so even if he gets one fitted in the Citroen C4 (the hire car) it might not necessarily be a good fit for his own car (Vauxhall Corsa).

Sigh - this couldn't have happened at a worse time! There is also the issue of getting his son to the car fitting place - on a Sunday, when public transport won't necessarily be the best.

Could his son sit on the back seat without a seat or booster, if his mum went with them, and sat in the back with him?

At 13 he doesn't legally need to use a car seat at all but it would be safer if he did have a booster, if the seatbelt crosses on his tummy or bothers his neck.

If he's the size of a 7-8 year old I would probably just get a backless booster - brand doesn't matter. Your son can buy one anywhere but I would try it in the car to check the seatbelt buckle isn't blocked because that is a pain.

Does he need postural support or behavioural support with keeping the seatbelt on? If so it would probably be worth looking into a special needs restraint long term.