Menu
20/06/2012
Undercover Research Finds Retailers Failing On Children's Car Seats
Newly published research has found that parents seeking advice on which children's car seat to buy are being failed by retailers giving out misleading information, and installing seats incorrectly.
The undercover research by consumer group Which? shows that almost a year after the group exposed problems with fittings at seven major retailers, assistants at some of their shops are still not asking the right questions to establish which seat will be safest, and making inaccurate claims about which cars they fit.
Halfords and Babies R Us scored worst in the exercise.
In seven visits by researchers to Babies R Us, the undercover reporters said the seat was fitted correctly only once. Errors included misrouted and twisted seatbelts, both of which could compromise a child's safety.
At Halfords, an assistant incorrectly told researchers that all belted seats fitted all cars, while at Mamas & Papas just one store fitted the seat correctly and three attached straps incorrectly.
In John Lewis, Which? said staff knowledge was generally good, but seats were fitted incorrectly in five out of seven cases.
The researchers posed as parents with an 11-month-old child weighing 9kg (20lbs) – the lowest weight at which a child can legally move into a forward-facing seat.
Experts recommend that children stay in rear seats for as long as possible, as these offer more protection to a child's neck and spine in the event of a crash, and many infant seats accommodate children beyond this weight. However in 21 out of 35 shop visits the child's weight was not mentioned.
The report found that Mothercare offered the best fitting service, where assistants asked the weight on six out of seven visits and recommended remaining in a rear-facing seat in four cases. Although only three Mothercare assistants asked what car the seat would be used in, seven out of seven checked the chosen seat was suitable in the researchers' car.
Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said parents should be able to trust the advice they were getting from major retailers. "It is unacceptable that major high street retailers are still giving poor advice and failing to highlight crucial information that is key to a child's safety, despite some of them promising to do better last year," he said.
(H)
The undercover research by consumer group Which? shows that almost a year after the group exposed problems with fittings at seven major retailers, assistants at some of their shops are still not asking the right questions to establish which seat will be safest, and making inaccurate claims about which cars they fit.
Halfords and Babies R Us scored worst in the exercise.
In seven visits by researchers to Babies R Us, the undercover reporters said the seat was fitted correctly only once. Errors included misrouted and twisted seatbelts, both of which could compromise a child's safety.
At Halfords, an assistant incorrectly told researchers that all belted seats fitted all cars, while at Mamas & Papas just one store fitted the seat correctly and three attached straps incorrectly.
In John Lewis, Which? said staff knowledge was generally good, but seats were fitted incorrectly in five out of seven cases.
The researchers posed as parents with an 11-month-old child weighing 9kg (20lbs) – the lowest weight at which a child can legally move into a forward-facing seat.
Experts recommend that children stay in rear seats for as long as possible, as these offer more protection to a child's neck and spine in the event of a crash, and many infant seats accommodate children beyond this weight. However in 21 out of 35 shop visits the child's weight was not mentioned.
The report found that Mothercare offered the best fitting service, where assistants asked the weight on six out of seven visits and recommended remaining in a rear-facing seat in four cases. Although only three Mothercare assistants asked what car the seat would be used in, seven out of seven checked the chosen seat was suitable in the researchers' car.
Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said parents should be able to trust the advice they were getting from major retailers. "It is unacceptable that major high street retailers are still giving poor advice and failing to highlight crucial information that is key to a child's safety, despite some of them promising to do better last year," he said.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 June 2003
Report finds many child car seats inadequate in severe crash
A report commissioned by European consumer groups has found that many car seats are inadequate to deal with a serious car crash, as the statutory EU tests are not sufficiently rigorous. In a test of 20 child car seats, the consumer group report revealed that only a few were deemed good enough to be recommended as adequate in a 40mph crash.
Report finds many child car seats inadequate in severe crash
A report commissioned by European consumer groups has found that many car seats are inadequate to deal with a serious car crash, as the statutory EU tests are not sufficiently rigorous. In a test of 20 child car seats, the consumer group report revealed that only a few were deemed good enough to be recommended as adequate in a 40mph crash.
02 June 2005
‘Inadequate’ child car seats criticised
Consumer watchdog Which? has warned that ten inferior child car seats, which it tested two years ago, are still on sale. Which? said that three of the products are manufactured by Mamas and Papas – the Navetta Carry Cot, the Elan and the Passaggio – while Britax manufactures three others – the Cruiser Plus, Ranger and Trio.
‘Inadequate’ child car seats criticised
Consumer watchdog Which? has warned that ten inferior child car seats, which it tested two years ago, are still on sale. Which? said that three of the products are manufactured by Mamas and Papas – the Navetta Carry Cot, the Elan and the Passaggio – while Britax manufactures three others – the Cruiser Plus, Ranger and Trio.
14 April 2004
Lack of proper car seats puts children at risk, DfT
Thousands of children are being put in unnecessary danger as many parents are still not using the appropriate car seats, new research from the Department for Transport (DfT) has found.
Lack of proper car seats puts children at risk, DfT
Thousands of children are being put in unnecessary danger as many parents are still not using the appropriate car seats, new research from the Department for Transport (DfT) has found.
18 September 2006
New laws on child car seats comes into force
New laws requiring more children to use child car restraints have come into force today. Under the new legislation, children aged under 12 who also measure less than 135cm - 4ft 5in - will have to use the right child restraint when travelling in cars, vans and good vehicles.
New laws on child car seats comes into force
New laws requiring more children to use child car restraints have come into force today. Under the new legislation, children aged under 12 who also measure less than 135cm - 4ft 5in - will have to use the right child restraint when travelling in cars, vans and good vehicles.
27 February 2004
Poorly fitted child car seats costs dozens of lives a year: report
Around two thirds of all child seats are fitted incorrectly and basic mistakes by adults when fitting child seats can kill and injure hundreds of children a year, even in low speed crashes, a report by the AA Motoring Trust has claimed.
Poorly fitted child car seats costs dozens of lives a year: report
Around two thirds of all child seats are fitted incorrectly and basic mistakes by adults when fitting child seats can kill and injure hundreds of children a year, even in low speed crashes, a report by the AA Motoring Trust has claimed.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
