A change in the law surrounding baby and children’s car seats is confusing some parents – but experts insist they are vital.

Andrew White, who managers Listers Baby Shop’s stores in St Nicholas, Carlisle and Oxford Street, Workington, has been selling child seats for almost 20 years.

He regularly receives training from car seat manufacturers.

New rules which came into force last month mean that manufacturers are no longer allowed to introduce new models of backless booster seats for children who are shorter than 125cm or who weigh less than 22 kg – the same luggage weight allowance accepted by many airlines.

Mr White said: “There has been a lot of focus put on this change that some believe happened in the last few days.

“In fact there have been three different laws that have come in over the last few years and the one people think came into force on March 1 was actually brought forward and came in on February 9.

“What is also causing confusion is that latest law is really aimed at manufacturers, not the general public.

“As retailer I know we struggle to keep on top with what is happening when it comes to the laws, so we have sympathy for the general public and how they are expected to understand what’s going on.”

He added: “Because of the focus that has been in the news about this change in the law we’ve had more interest and people come in, parents asking about it and who aren’t sure what it is all about.

“We’re always happy to advise.”

Information about the recent law change on gov.uk states: “The change doesn’t affect existing models of seats or cushions and doesn’t mean that they are unsafe or illegal – though parents are still being encouraged to make sure they know the rules for using child car seats.

“The change to the technical standards means that the range of products available on the market are better suited for younger children.”

Which? child car seat expert, Lisa Galliers, said: “A decent high-backed booster seat provides better protection in a front crash, as they’re designed to guide the adult seat-belt across the child’s body properly.

“Our crash tests prove they offer much more protection in a side-impact crash than a backless booster seat alone.”

Consumer expert Alice Beer appeared on ITV television show This Morning to explain what the new law will change and how to fit your child’s seat correctly.

She said: “Two thirds of parents don’t know the current laws and a third of parents are driving around the children in no car seats or it’s incorrectly fitted.

“The new law has come in for a reason – whatever seat you’re buying, whichever stage of the law you’re at, please get it fitted correctly.”

Mr White proactively promotes child car seat safety.

He used to attend ante-natal classes in west Cumbria to brief new parents about car seat safety as they prepared for their new arrivals.

He has also worked with police to advise parents, using supermarket car parks as a way to share safety tips.

“Last summer we did safety checks for parents on car seats they had, that was in a supermarket car park,” said Mr White.

“He’s been back in the shop recently and we’re looking at doing something like that again.”

He also said there needs to be a move away from older children not wanting to use “baby seats”.

“We all hear stories of older children who are nine, 10, 11 and say they’re too old for a baby seat,” Mr White said.

“They are not baby seats, they are there for a child’s safety. We know often there are no second chances with that.”

CHILDREN'S CAR SEAT SAFETY

  • keep your child in a rear facing car seat for as long as possible
  • always use a high-backed booster seat (after infant stage)
  • never sit a child in the front of a car