Answer to Question 2:

Hi Dave,

There is a wide variety of car seats for babies and young children on the market at present and it can be quite confusing when deciding which one to go for. Usually the first criteria that needs to be satisfied is what type of seat best suits your needs, considering the size and age of the child. Something else that must be considered early on in the process of selection is the safety standard of what you are purchasing. The newest system being adopted by car manufacturers at present is ISOFIX. Essentially this system is a new standard for installing child seats into cars, which is being adopted by vehicle manufacturers and is intended to make fitting child seats quick and simple. However it is still a relatively new system and not all cars currently on the road will have it in place. Regarding existing seats they must comply with an ECE Regulation. Child restraints (baby seats, child seats, booster seats and booster cushions) sold in Ireland and the UK must conform to the United Nations EU-ECE Regulation R44.03 or later version of the standard.

Best Regards,
Paul Tierney.