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BRITAX Urges Parents to ‘Bin The Booster’ This Summer

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Written by Tim Barnes-Clay

Child safety brand BRITAX have this week launched a new campaign aiming to educate parents about car seat safety in Groups 2-3, whilst also highlighting the dangers of using booster seats for older children.

The ‘Bin the Booster’ campaign is urging parents to choose high-backed boosters with side impact protection to guarantee protection for children.

The current law states that children must use a car seat until they are 135cm tall or have reached the age of 12 or whichever one comes first. Because of this, many parents opt for a simple booster cushion that just ensures the seat belt is at a right angle. However, according to BRITAX, 49% of seatbelts may be fitted incorrectly, either due to too high, twisted, or fitted around the seat and not the child.

Whilst 1 in 4 car accidents are from a side impact crash, it is not required by EU law to conduct tests for side collisions. BRITAX however believe that are if there were new regulations, no booster cushion would pass.

Consumer group Which? discovered that 55% of 4-12 year olds are using a backless booster seat whilst 22% believe they offer the same amount of protection, according to a survey of 1,000 parents conducted in April 2014.

BRITAX have now teamed up with parenting advice programme Emma’s Diary, to run a week long campaign on child safety, including tips on car seat health checks and what to look for when purchasing a Group 2-3 car seat.

Running from July 7, there will also be a live Q&A on the Emma Diary’s Facebook Page with BRITAX safety expert, Mark Bennett, who will be able to answer any questions parents may have.