Friday 9th November 2012

Parents are being warned to beware of counterfeit car seats that can't protect children properly.

Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership's message to parents comes following news that fake products are being sold cheaply online.

The UK's Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) is warning consumers that some websites offering seats at bargain prices are selling poor quality imitation products that don't offer enough protection in the event of a crash.

Partnership Chairman Mike Ashworth said: "Counterfeit child car seats are a growing problem. At first glance these products look similar to the real thing and parents think they are getting a good deal.

"Unfortunately, these fakes can't protect youngsters in the way that the genuine products can. In a recent test performed by TRL, a seat which appeared to have the appropriate safety ratings came apart completely.

"Please call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0845 04 05 06 if you're concerned that your child car seat could be a fake."

Follow these top tips from the partnership to help you find the right car seat for your child and fit it safely:

• Check out the advice on www.childcarseats.org.uk before shopping for a child car seat -
  this will help you to judge whether the retailers you speak to know what they are talking about
  
  
• Only buy from a retailer who offers a free advice and fitting service -
  reputable companies will help you to choose the right seat and fit it properly
  
  
• Look at the instruction manual for the seat you're considering -
  if it's written in poor English, then it could be a counterfeit product
  
  
• Check the labelling on the seat -
  it should feature an orange 'Regulation 44' sticker, confirming that it has passed the appropriate European safety checks
  
  
• Look closely at the finish of the product -
  if the standard is poor, then it could be a copy
  
  
• Beware of second hand car seats -
  it's not always possible to spot damage that could put your child at risk. Don't use a second hand seat unless you trust the person it comes from and they confirm that it's damage free.

The law says that passengers under the age of 12 must use some form of child car seat unless they are 135cm tall or above. The type of seat a child needs depends on how much he or she weighs.

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