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Holidays

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Original poster

Car Seats when on holiday?

20 replies

Nip · 08/01/2007 15:44

I have a dilema and i'm worried now even though i have 6 months to go! My DS will be 15 months when we go on holiday and will obviously need a car seat.
However MIL (and FIL) both said "oh just hold him on your lap!!!" - now i'm really not comfortable with this.
I know i could take his car seat and check it in as luggage but what happens if we want to go out in a taxi? We get there and then have to carry the car seat around?
I'm really worried about this and my DH seems to also think that holding him on his lap will do!
Has anyone else ever had this dilema?

OP posts:

2boysmacca · 08/01/2007 19:01

Depending on where you are going, I think you'll probably find it is illegal not to restrain them as the case in the UK. Even if it wasn't illegal, do you really want to risk it? We had a very bad car accident whilst in France - a lorry hit us as we were joining a dual carriageway. The car was a total right off and my 20 month son....the lorry hit his side of the car BUT he was as safe as houses in his car seat. Is it REALLY worth the risk?????

funnypeculiar · 08/01/2007 19:08

Will you be in taxis or hire cars most of the time?
Depending on where you're going, some countries you may be able to get carseats locally - others (eg Greece) they're a nightmare. BTW, most airlines check carseats in as extra luggage - ie in addition to your stadard luggage allowance...
I wouldn't risk it, personally...have always taken my own...

O2BMe · 08/01/2007 22:31

Nip, where are you going? As mentioned below, in some countries it is illegal to hold a child on your lap. If this is the case, taxis may refuse to take you without a child seat.

Again, depending on the country your going to you may be able to hire a car seat if you don't want to take your own. Or it may be easier to hire a car from a reputable car hire company, like Hertz or Avis and they can provide a child seat for you if advised ahead of time.

The choice is yours at the end of the day. If you really feel uncomfortable about it organise a child seat - if there is an accident you may never forgive yourself.

Call the tourist information office of the country you're visiting for more information or anyone you know that lives there.

Original poster

Nip · 09/01/2007 08:21

We are going to Mallorca and usually get taxi's (To be honest we dont leave the apartment much but we often treat ourselves to few nice meals out).
I think i may just take the car seat and not go out, or hire a car.

I am definitely NOT wanting to hold him on my lap, i am actually surprised that my PIL and DH think its ok!

I just wondered what everyone else did as i thought perhaps it was me being OTT because of the opinions of family members but i think i'll stick to my guns and lug round the car seat (and if i have to pay extra at the airport then so be it).

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LIZS · 09/01/2007 10:13

We had a taxi transfer from Palma Airport pre booked with these people and they provided car seats of a good standard in a small minibus.

NotQuiteCockney · 09/01/2007 10:16

It depends what you're doing on holiday. We have a flight vest thing we use for short trips etc (minibuses and taxis) when travelling. If we'll be in cars more than just a transfer, then we bring our car seats.

You can check them in as extra luggage, but I worry about them getting bashed about too much. On the last trip, we managed to fit them into our regular bags. Yes, it was a hassle, squeezing them into the bags at the airport after using them in the taxi on the way to the airport, but it's less stressful that way, I think.

fortyplus · 09/01/2007 10:18

Is it practical to take your own car seat? If not maybe you can hire one at your destination. Otherwise - a possible (though rather unsatisfactory imo) compromise - what about a booster seat? Not as safe as a car seat but much smaller and lighter. Definite NO to holding him on your lap - that's crazy.

Original poster

Nip · 09/01/2007 10:42

This is the car seat we currently have and i'm wondering if this is going to be too huge to take away?

car seat

(I hope this works - never done it before)

OP posts:

lornaloo · 09/01/2007 10:47

Thats too big to take with you. It would be a nightmare. Just hire a car with a car seat included.

2boysmacca · 09/01/2007 10:53

If he's 15 months he'll be too small to go in a booster seat - you have to be at least 15kg to safely use a booster seat. The effect a seatbelt would have on the child would cause him severe damage.

Nip, it will have to be checked in as excess luggage but surely safety is paramount? If you don't take the risk in the UK why the hell take the risk in another country?

lornaloo · 09/01/2007 10:58

I have that car seat myself for ds who is also 15 months old. Its massive and very weighty. I would hate to have to lug it around.
When we went to australia to visit dps mum we gave the car seat to the cab man and booked him to come pick us up with the car seat. It worked out really well. When we were over there in oz we highered a car seat.

lornaloo · 09/01/2007 10:59

Hired

NotQuiteCockney · 09/01/2007 11:00

We've had rental car seat in Canada one time, no idea where my parents got it from, but it was ok.

To be fair, there is a difference in risk between whatever car arrangements you have for driving every day, and a one-off holiday thing.

And if you have a big fancy car seat, and you put it in checked luggage on its own, how will you know it hasn't been horribly dropped and crushed, ruining the internal bits that make it stay in one piece in a crash?

2boysmacca · 09/01/2007 11:02

Sorry, but why is there a difference?

NotQuiteCockney · 09/01/2007 11:04

Because whatever car arrangements you have day to day are for say 30 minutes a day x 300 days per year, say, so 150 hours of driving. On holiday, you're talking about a couple of hours in a car, if that - less if it's just transfers. The risk is just lower.

Obviously, everyone wants to do what's best for their kids, and take every precaution. If you spend much time in the car, it makes sense to try to have the absolute best car seat. But it might not make sense to take that car seat away with you, when a smaller lighter one might be ok.

2boysmacca · 09/01/2007 11:07

If I'd have used that reckoning, and if If I'd have compromised I wouldn't have had a son anymore!

mylittlestar · 09/01/2007 11:22

When we go away to spain we pre-book taxis who can provide car seats so that we don't have to carry our with us. Might take a bit of research, ask at your hotel or look on internet, then may have to pre-book the taxi as opposed to just calling one whenever you feel like.

But at least that way you get the safety of the seat without the hassle of carrying one around.

Last time we went we used the same taxi driver for the whole holiday, he gave us his card, then we just called him each time we needed him and he turned up with the seat.
(We found the driver by recommendation from one of the locals who lived near to our apartment - just asked around when we were in the local cafe - if that helps!)

O2BMe · 09/01/2007 11:29

No you can't predict what may or may not happen on holidays but again is it worth the risk. I guess it is an individual thing just like whether you take out travel insurance or not. If we all had a crystal ball wouldn't it be wonderful.

Just remember when it comes to car accidents, you can be the safest driver on the road but you can't control the others (OMG I think I'm starting to sound like my Mum ).

Nip, go with what your conscience will rest easy with. It's your holiday too so why make it stressful by regretting your actions.

lornaloo · 09/01/2007 11:33

Nip I think defo sort some sort of car seat out. Whether you bring your own, hire a car with one or do what mylittlestar does (which sounds great btw). You will feel better if you know he's safe.

Original poster

Nip · 09/01/2007 11:45

Thanks everyone - i'm definitly NOT going to go without.

Mylittlestar - i'm going to check out a taxi witha car seat i think - its my FIL private apartment therefore i'm sure he can ask the locals for me and find someone.

Thanks again - i knew there would be an answer on here.

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