car seat safety report

[Inky]

Sometime in May there was a report published re the safety of car seat. Some popular ones didn't do that well from what I remember, esp in collisions side-on. Does anyone know where I can read a copy of this report? Or how I can be sure that I am buying the best/safest one? I know there is a mumsnet review, which of course I'll look at.

Some 2nd stage ones go from 9 months to 4 years. Others seem to go all the way up to 12 years. Does anyone know if these types that adjust & 'grow' with your child are any good - do you have one? Does someone you know have one & moan /sing it's praises all the time? I would like to avoid making a mistake which I seem to have done with most other baby expenditures thus far!

I can certainly vouch for the Renaissance. I don't know whether this was borne out in the research (you would have to go to a public library to read the full report, it is not available on the Consumers' Association website), but I instinctively felt that the ones which go up to 12 were not so good for smaller children. We could also not find one which reclines, which I think you really need until the age of at least 3, especially for night time drives.
The Renaissance is sturdy and comfortable. By the time our son outgrows it he will have had 3 years of use, so we feel that although expensive it was a good investment. It has a clip-on tray which he can use for toys and snacks.
Don't be too hard on yourself Inky, we've all got mistakes hiding in the loft...I think the manufacturers see us first time parents coming.
Pamina is right to highlight M & S range of baby equipment. We got a Graco travel cot in their own fabric (denim last year Pamina, mmm) for much less than the brand price.

Test Message, Don't read.

star, I would say never. the bags are tested for safety with adult-sized dummies. I met a researcher in the States who'd analysed hospital records of terrible results of children/babies being put in front seats of cars with airbags. Her words really haunt me.

Very tall son aged 2.5 has now moved on to a booster seat, ancient car without airbags, so has always sat in front seat where lower risk of being thrown forward in accident. Now, it has become a problem that he tries to undo or wriggle out of seatbelt when bored/ angry during long car journeys. We only use the car for weekly supermarket run and for long motorway journeys. I get really scared, as typically I am overtaking and out of the corner of my eye seeing him taking off the seatbelt and shrieking at him because I can't take my hand off the steering wheel. I have seen safety catches advertised, but he is so dextrous, I am sure he will just learn how to open it. Any brainwaves? Any kind and lawful way to tie up his hands?!?!

I'd definitely recommend the Britax Supercruiser (new version) to stop them wriggling about and fares well in crash test results. It's made of polystyrene so easy to move about. The car seat belt has a restrainer which means the child is more secure than the Mothercare one below.

Also the Mothercare MX (also polystyrene) did well in the crash reports, I've just bought one for DD but she can move about in it more than in the Britax which isn't such a good idea. It also converts to a booster seat when she is old enough.
I wouldn't use it for a child under 3.5 though as they can get out of the belt.

Mothercare are offering 10% off if you take in your old car seat.