Are narnia car seats safe?

[Igglepiggle88]

I have this car seat for my 14 months old, but since buying it I’ve heard reviews that they aren’t safe.. I assumed for any to be on sale they would have had to have passed safety tests?

www.argos.co.uk/product/5588503

Cheap and cheerful. Wouldn't be my choice of a seat, however, they do have to pass the same safety tests as a seat 5 times the price would.

They're legal but that doesn't necessarily mean safe. Car seats only have to pass a very basic test to be legal (crash at 30mph I think). All the bigger brands do far more extensive testing that the nania seats wouldn't be able to pass.

Join the Facebook group 'car seat advice for mummies and daddies' and read their file on nania seats.

In one crash test, the straps ripped out if the seat at the shoulder level.
I wouldn't be putting any of my dc in one, sorry op.

Do you think this one would be any better/safer?

www.argos.co.uk/product/4112437

No, they're all cheap car seats made in China that just pass the legal test for sale in the EU.

This rear facing would be infinitely safer:

www.argos.co.uk/product/3337732

I can't link the file from the Facebook group that explains why those seats aren't safe but I've taken screenshots.

Rest of the file

It only rear faces until 10kg so for that reason alone, I wouldn't use it.

There is also a question of if it's only for occasional use (once a week in Grannies car) then it's probably ok however if its everyday I'd try to upgrade it.

Generally speaking the narnia seats will take you into another world, complete with talking animals and marshwiggles...

It's cheap, but actually that doesn't necessarily mean less safe. In this case it does seem to be a problem. But I'd still be okay with it if it was used as an occasional or spare seat on short journeys.

Matilda It categorically is less safe than a car seat made by a reputable company who design and build their seats to a far higher standard than the legal limit. This seat has only been tested on a frontal crash at 30mph and a rear crash at 18mph, therefore it is only 'safe' up to 30mph. It has never been crash tested at 35, 40 mph etc so nobody could know what would happen in those circumstances. The seatbelts could rip out and the child could be sent through the window for all we know.

It's just not worth the risk. Car seats are expensive but ultimately, short journeys or long journeys, they're there to save your child's life. There are budget seats that are far safer such as the Joie Tilt or Steadi which rear face to 18kg.

It’s complicated stuff this car seat business! Thank you x

Op The Facebook group has changed its name to 'Car Seat Advice UK'. Honestly, join, read the posts and ask them specifically about your car, child (age and weight) and budget. It's run by experts and you'll get the best advice.

www.argos.co.uk/product/5326208

What about this?(he’s 14 months but tall for his age)

I’ll join it tea, thank you x

Joie is a far more reputable brand and they test their seats to a far higher standard. I could never recommend putting such a young child in a forward facing seat but that is your call. Forward facing seats will never protect their neck in a crash.

The joie seat definitely no doubt over the first two. but if i were getting a forward facing seat it would probably be this one

I would strongly advise against a forward facing seat until they are around 4 years old. Most seats are now rear facing until 18kg (approx. 4 years old) and some (like one I have) is rear facing until 25kg. Have a look at seats like this:
incarsafetycentre.co.uk/product/2-way-elite-cosmos-black/

incarsafetycentre.co.uk/product/izi-modular-i-size-metallic-melange/

incarsafetycentre.co.uk/product/minikid-2-0-black/

www.halfords.com/kids-zone/car-seats/child-car-seats/cybex-sirona-m2-i-size-child-car-seat?cm_mmc=Google+PLA--Car+Seats--Child+Car+Seats--441892&istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istItemId=xlitiimiiw&istBid=tzir&$ja=tsid:94971|cid:865695748|agid:43902125655|tid:pla-374328340314|crid:202397318337|nw:g|rnd:10543333405910003062|dvc:m|adp:1o1|mt:|loc:9046159&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7IaZveT12QIV4Z3tCh2h6Q4bEAQYASABEgLRQvD_BwE

I prefer him to be rear facing for safety but his little legs seem to be bent double? I also have a little 3 door car which is really hard when it’s fixed rear facing to get him in and out of 🙁

If you can afford it look a some of the rotating seats. The Britax Dual fix rotates all the way round to make it easier to put them in.

Thank you, i’ll have a look! Are they isofix though?

Yes unfortunately.
Does your car not have it?

No it’s a 2005 polo so no isofix :-(

Op Look at the Britax Two Way Elite - it's not cheap (about £185) but if you can stretch to its a really good seat and will last until he's 25kg. It's also very compact so good for small cars. Also he could go on the front seat with the airbag off if it's easier to get him in.

About his legs- it's not an issue with rear facing seats. Kids are very comfortable with their legs in all kinds of positions. For me, I'd rather mine sat with their legs up than had a broken neck. I know that sounds over the top but that's the reality of it. Watch some crash test videos comparing crashing in a forward facing seat vs crashing in a rear facing seat. They're terrifying.

The Joie tilt, steadi or stages would also be fine on the front seat. It's a very safe option.