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Original poster

Strapping my children into the car - what's safest?

18 replies

tortoiseSHELL · 30/05/2007 11:18

I've got a courtesy car atm as ours is in being mended. They only had 3 door Fiestas and I've got 3 children. The front airbag won't switch off. What is the safest way of getting them all in? Either to put ds1 (age 5.11) in the front with carseat, but also with airbag, or in the back (but not in the middle), with no car seat, but with seat belt. The belt seems to go over his shoulder ok, so this is the option I've gone with, especially as that then means dh can get in as well. There is just NO way of getting a third carseat in the back!

What do you think? What would you do?

OP posts:

ChipButty · 30/05/2007 11:20

YOur solution seems safest option.

Original poster

tortoiseSHELL · 30/05/2007 11:51

THanks ChipButty - any other thoughts?

OP posts:

Original poster

tortoiseSHELL · 30/05/2007 12:47

OP posts:

nally · 30/05/2007 12:52

hi tortoise. sorry, i have forgotten what combination of children you have got! definitely can't squeeze a booster seat in? i know you have probably tried. i only ask because my mum managed to get 2 booster seats and a baby seat in the back of her 3 door corsa. or have you got 2 big car seats (twins?) in the back?

bran · 30/05/2007 12:52

Do you have a booster seat, or could you buy a cheap one? It would give your ds1 a better postion in the seat and a better seat belt fit, but it shouldn't take up as much room as a car seat.

Original poster

tortoiseSHELL · 30/05/2007 13:12

Sorry, should have said ages of children - dd is 3, nearly 4 and she is in a Britax Freeway, as is ds2 who is 1. There really isn't room for even a booster seat - I did look at that, but there's only really room for ds1!

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nally · 30/05/2007 13:22

if it won't fit in i can't see any other way. surely the garage could have got a car from somewhere? are they even allowed to give you a courtesy car that does not fit safety requirements?
have you got a big cushion you can put under ds1???

Original poster

tortoiseSHELL · 30/05/2007 13:33

They only have these. I think I'm just going to go with it tbh, just avoid doing any journeys that are long - we're only doing 'run-arounds' this week anyway. I'm sure it will be fine - thinking about it, in times past, ds1 would be way beyond a seat anyway! Thanks for your replies though.

OP posts:

Ceolas · 30/05/2007 13:37

I am sure the garage could find you another car. Not judging you, but they are forcing you to carry your son illegally.

TheOriginalXENA · 30/05/2007 13:38

Nally its stated in the new law that an exception is made should you have 3 children or more and be unable to fit 3 car seats. Obv most parents would try to buy a bigger car.

Original poster

tortoiseSHELL · 30/05/2007 13:39

It's not technically illegal, because I really can't fit a third carseat in the back, in which case you are allowed to carry them without a carseat UNLESS it would be safer to put them in the front with a carseat, which I don't think it would be in this case, on account of the air bag.

OP posts:

Ceolas · 30/05/2007 14:01

Sorry, you're right. I'd still press the issue.

Definitely wouldn't put him in the front.

Chopster · 30/05/2007 14:07

I'd put ds1 in the front with the carseat, and make sure the seat is as far back as you can get it, away from the airbag. I had this nightmare when I got given a bloody smart car, with four kids. Had the oldest in between the twins without a carseat and the middle child in a seat in the front. Garages won't help unless you want to pay the extra to hire a bigger car.

Original poster

tortoiseSHELL · 30/05/2007 14:55

I don't think there would be an option to have a different car - this garage ONLY have these cars, and I have to use this garage because of insurance (unless we had a huge palaver involving quotes and engineers etc!). Chopster - I did think of that, but still not sure about whether that's safer than in the back without an airbag, partly because of the possiblity of the airbag going off accidentally.

OP posts:

3sEnough · 30/05/2007 15:03

We had the same problem - 3 children with a 3 door yaris. We bought an additional seat belt adjuster (you can get them on ebay cheaply or they are apporx £10 in halfords or such) They bring the seat belt down so as to not sit on the child's neck. We ended up having our 2 yr old in the 'proper' car seat and the 4 and 6 yr olds in adjusters, all in the back.

3sEnough · 30/05/2007 15:04

Alternatively you can hire a car...

Original poster

tortoiseSHELL · 30/05/2007 15:09

That sounds a good idea, I'll look in Halfords! Thanks!

OP posts:

archiesmummy · 31/05/2007 22:03

tortoiseSHELL, just wanna agree with Ceolas.
I work in a garage (we also only have small vehicles, Fiesta and Ka) and I know that if someone complaines loud enough then one of the sales people (drive Mondeo and Focus) will lend the customer their car.

So ring them up and make a fuss.

I know it's not illegal to do what you are suggesting, but it is very, very dangerous to secure such a small child with just an adult belt.

Good Luck!!

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