WARNING ABOUT CAR SEATS!!!

[loopyredangel]

I don't care if I am naming this store, but parents need to be warned about what could happen.
DO NOT BUY A CAR SEAT FROM HALFORDS!
We were misinformed from Halfords regarding a car seat for my DS. WE went to Mothercare for some reassurance that it was okay, after the sales team at Halfords seemed to think the seat they advised would be okay.
Mothercare were lovely, got the scales out and weighed DS. They told us as 2 he still needed a five point harness! We couldn't believe it my mother-in-law had driven with my DS in the car seat, it's frightening to think what could have happended, could do without the stress and shock, only got 2 weeks to go to the birth of my second DS!!!!

Which seat did they sell you?

Did you tell them how much your DC weighed? Did you tell them what type of seat you wanted or just say I need a new seat?

I bought a car seat in Halfords recently and they were far more thorough than Mothercare, where I had brought my previous seat (and M&S where I bought the one before that).

I'm sure I'm going to be unpopular but, it is actually your responsibility to ensure you get the correct car seat for your child. I don't even think that outlets have to check it fits in your car. There is so much information available it can be confusing, but on the other hand there is so much info available you should be able to easily discover what type of seat your child should have.

? Group 0 and Group 0+. These are infant carriers - rear-facing and for children up to 10kg and up to 13kg respectively (approx age birth to 9-12 months);
? Group I. Child seats - forward facing and for children 9kg to 18kg (approx 9 months to 4 years);
? Group II. Booster seats - for children from 15kg to 25kg (approx 4 to 6 years), or 15kg up to 36 kg);
? Group III. Booster cushions - for children from 22kg and up to 36kg (from approx 6 years).

So my 15kg 3 yr old DS could LEGALLY go in a Group II with an adult seatbelt, which would be completely inappropriate for him BUT perfectly legal.

When I bought mine at Halfords I had to sign to say that I had been shown how to fit it and been given AND read the leaflet they have on the Law and safety guidelines. So perhaps you were unlucky.

IME Halfords are fantastic and Mothercare are crap. All depends on who you get.

A different branch of Halfords checked my seat, it was wrong (our mistake as couldn't be rear facing in that car) sold me a seat to get my child safely home and them refunded my money the next day. Way beyond what they are allowed to do.

Please don't rant about a particular firm when it is the staff who were wrong and you still bought their seat even though you had doubts.

Yes I told them his weight on numerous occasions, and yes I agree it was the sales person who recommended it, but it makes me wonder exactly what training he has received from the company. My mother in law didn't need to sign a thing in Halfords.
Yes I agree it's my responsibility to get the correct car seat, but considering I am not trained to fit them that is why we go to these stores for their advice and guidance!!!! I explained he was only 2 and weighed under 14kgs!!!!
I think there needs to be a shake up on staff training no matter where you go. After all the guy who sold it to us said he was trained when we returned it, so it is down to the company to give the correct information.
Crocky they sold a seat with just a lap seat belt for support across the child.

bugger, i have my 2 yr old dd in a booster seat with the normal adult belt over her. should i change it then? shes not huge or anything..

I was dead unimpressed with the service I got in Halfords, the assistant got a seat down and had a look at it, then said that she needed to ask a colleague about how to fit it. I said something along the lines of "not trained on that one?" (nicely, I used to fit M and P carseats and they're damned tricky) she said "No, Im trained on all of them but Ive never seen this one before"

Indiasmum, at two she should at least be in a booster with a back on it, even if theres no 5 point harness.

the booster does have a back on it, its like a proper seat iyswim. the adult belt goes across it and theres a clip to hold it securely over her shoulder. except that she puts her arm over it constantly (but then she used to escape from her 5 point one too)

indiasmum, a lot depends on the child's weight, height build etc. hence the strict guidelines, if you are unsure about your child's safety you should get some information from the road safety authorities.

Our local council has a road safety officer who gives excellent impartial advice on all makes of car seats (I think he has about 100 different seats at his depot.) He also checks the actual fitting for you.
Does anyone else's local council off this service?

dd2 was in a high back booster at 2 but was well over 30lb and the height of dd1 who was 4.

dd3 is still tightly buckled into a 5point one.

well i wasnt unsure, but think i might be now. thanks. will check it out.

2 years is far too young to just have a lap belt or a adult seat belt!

Unless they are very very tall and a good weight.

exactly nab. dd2 was huuuuuge and wasd asked when she was starting reception at just 2years old. i said 'oooo in 3years time' haha the shocked looks was worth it.

My eldest went in to his backed booster with adult belt at 3 as he was very tall. It was safer than a harness which could have crushed his chest. However I would think the average 2 year old definitely needs to be in a 5 point harness.

My 2 years and 4 month old son weighs alomst 2.5 stone and he isn't ready and he is tall. I would get it triple checked.

Surely logic tells you that at 2 they need a 5 point still?

FB - did you get my email?

I'll go do that now

There are still some on the market which can use the adult belt from 10.5 kgs like this so technically you may not have been missold that one even if it was less than ideal, it really depends which model it was. They are not illegal but Which? have named them as Don't Buys and are gradually phasing out. A 5 point harness is much safer up to 18 kgs(remembering many move to a highback booster from 15kgs).

oh bloody hell am feeling like a shocking mother now. will have to see if i can drag old one out of loft.