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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask everyone with belted child seats to make sure the seat is secured ^even when they aren't in it?^

42 replies

RatOnnaStick · 21/01/2018 10:25

I crashed my car on Friday. Ds1 was in his seat in the back (off school with a virus), when I lost control on a small country lane on black ice. We ended up in a ditch on the roof. His seat and the seatbelt held him tight and we had no injuries at all beyond being stuck but ds2's empty seat hadn't been buckled up after I dropped him off at school earlier and it swept sideways when we rolled and was only kept off ds because of the side impact protection on his seat.

We are fine. I just feel a bit sick that a different angle would have meant he got hit in the face or stomach all because I didn't take the time to buckle the damn seat up before setting off.

It turns out the amount of people I know who never think about it is really high so I imagine that there must be some on here who also never remember to check is also substantial . Just please will you all take a minute to check everything is all secure won't you?

OP posts:
Owletterocks · 21/01/2018 10:30

That sounds awful op, glad you are both ok. Do you mean the high back booster type? I never buckle ds’s in when he isn’t in it! It never crossed my mind. Thanks for this post, I will make sure I do from now on.

specialsubject · 21/01/2018 10:32

Yes. Any seat can be a missile if left loose and can ( more importantly) hit the driver too.

pizzaeatingmonkey · 21/01/2018 10:36

I wonder if you drive a little red car, as I might live near you.
I had a very similar accident just before Christmas, with just the one empty car seat in the back. It had never crossed my mind about the belts of the seats being a hazard! Thank you for the warning.

weechops · 21/01/2018 10:40

I’ve honestly never thought of this before! I have 2 high backed boosters in mine. I’ll make sure they’re strapped from now on. Glad you and your son are ok.

RandomUsernameHere · 21/01/2018 10:45

Poor you OP, that sounds absolutely horrible but glad you're both ok. Thanks for the warning, I hadn't thought of this. We are about to switch to HBB so I might get the one with isofix as this would keep it in place if not in use.

citybzg · 21/01/2018 10:46

Glad you are ok. It's really common for people not to belt high back boosters in once the DC gets out. It's a faff but well worth doing. DD's highback fits in with the isofix system fortunately. I'm glad you and your boy are ok.

Spartaca · 21/01/2018 10:48

How scary, thanks for the reminder. Our son's high backed booster needs to be belted, so while it is rare he isn't in it I'll remember from now on. Our daughter's hbb is isofix, so should be ok.

BendydickCuminsnatch · 21/01/2018 10:52

Pizza I think she means the whole seat was loose and hit DS's seat, not just the strap/buckle whipping around?

In any case, good point OP and glad you are all OK!

Original poster
RatOnnaStick · 21/01/2018 10:53

High back booster yes. We do (did) drive a red car actually, a Focus.

Ds1 was really calm actually. He told me to stop screaming and call 999. And that's another thing. I was so glad the phone was in a reachable pocket and not loose on the seat or in my bag as it would have ended up too far away for me to do anything.

OP posts:
seething1234 · 21/01/2018 10:54

I never would have thought of this. One out of three of mine can be loose when empty (the seat actually has isofix clips as extra but I don't use as its fiddly to get them in- well I will from now on (I'm now thinking the clips are actually for this exact scenario as they don't to my knowledge add any extra safety features as it's an oldest child's seat) )

Original poster
RatOnnaStick · 21/01/2018 10:57

Yes I mean that the whole seat was unsecured, the seatbelt itself was retracted in the unused position.

OP posts:
britnay · 21/01/2018 11:04

Also, don't have anything else loose in the car if possible - a can of de-icer to the head would probably hurt

HereWeGoRoundAgain · 21/01/2018 11:05

We've always buckled them in even when empty, it's on all the safety websites and instructions.

Spartaca · 21/01/2018 11:08

Then the thread isn't of any interest to you then eh Here?

user1471451866 · 21/01/2018 11:17

With us a camera flew forwards when we were hit from behind. Fortunately no-one hurt.

user1471451866 · 21/01/2018 11:18

And glad you're ok op

mum11970 · 21/01/2018 11:18

There should be nothing of any weight left unsecured in your car. Anything that cannot be secured should be in the boot. If you flip your car everything flies everywhere and even light objects such as a cd case can cause injury, never mind a folded buggy in the footwell. Saying that my car resembles a skip on wheels at times and I have a missing boot cover in my estate so anything in the boot could end up anywhere.

endofthelinefinally · 21/01/2018 11:21

The number of people who put loose heavy items on the back window shelf is really worrying.
I mentioned this (as tactfully as possible) to a lady who had a big first aid box on there. She was a childminder!

Original poster
RatOnnaStick · 21/01/2018 11:25

My sunglasses flew off and disappeared and my other glasses were stuck in a corner with the tissues and a cd box and some other crap. We had to climb out of the boot through a surprising amount of shit that was just lying around in there.

Secure everything.

OP posts:
irretating · 21/01/2018 11:26

I've never thought about this but I'll make sure to check from now on!

Glad you and your son are ok, OP.

Allthewaves · 21/01/2018 11:27

some of the more expensive seats have clips at the back you can fasten to iso points

Allthewaves · 21/01/2018 11:30

i1.adis.ws/i/washford/181317b?w=637&h=403

VimFuego101 · 21/01/2018 11:30

I took a smack to the back of the head when a car pulled out in front of me and I had to brake suddenly, and DS's booster seat launched itself at me. Hadn't even occurred to me till that point that it should be secured. Hope you're OK, OP.

Allthewaves · 21/01/2018 11:33

that's a joie trillo seat

thepatchworkcat · 21/01/2018 11:38

I’ve never even thought of this! Shock And I drive around with DS’ empty seat in the back every day! Thanks OP.