ALERT: Irish parents hit with major child car seat warning amid safety fears

As families across Ireland gear up for summer road trips over the June Bank Holiday and upcoming summer plans, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is urging all parents and guardians to make child safety a priority and check that their child car seats are fitted correctly.

Figures from 2024 reveal that more than half of child car seats checked by the service were incorrectly fitted, unknowingly placing children at risk in the event of a collision. Of those, one in five seats needed major corrections, including errors in seatbelt routing and excessively loose fittings – serious safety risks that could have life-altering consequences.

The RSA is calling on all those travelling with children this June Bank Holiday and over summer – parents, grandparents, childminders, and carers – to ensure their seats are correctly installed and safe. Whether you’re heading on a staycation in Ireland or driving abroad, a quick safety check could be lifesaving.

“Summer sees a big rise in families on the road, often with packed cars and long journeys,” said Sarah O’Connor, Director of Partnerships & External Affairs with the RSA.

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“That’s why now is the perfect time to double-check that your child’s car seat is properly fitted which can be the difference between life and death in the event of a crash. Despite this, many parents are unaware of common fitting mistakes or the need to regularly check their child’s car seat as their child grows. Car seats may seem simple to install, but even small mistakes can compromise safety.”

The RSA’s Check It Fits service travels nationwide with trained specialists on-hand to carry out child car seat safety checks, and offer advice and demonstrations to help parents, guardians, and caregivers ensure their child's car seat is installed and fitted correctly. It is open to all makes and models of cars and child car seats. The team also collaborate with Occupational Therapists to provide essential guidance and support for individuals with disabilities or additional needs, ensuring their car seats are both comfortable and accessible without compromising on crucial safety standards.

Since 2013, over 67,000 car seats have been checked nationwide. In 2024 alone, Check It Fits visited over 130 locations, with specialists inspecting a wide range of car seat makes, models, and car types. While 81% of issues required minor fixes that were solved on-site, 34 seats were found not fit for purpose at all, due to broken parts, missing components, or not meeting EU regulations.

The importance of car seat safety is underscored by findings from the RSA’s Child Casualties Report 2019-2023. Over this five-year period, 34 children aged 15 and younger lost their lives on Irish roads, while 592 were seriously injured. Ensuring children are properly restrained inside vehicles is a crucial step in reducing preventable injuries.

While the RSA’s Check It Fits service offers virtual appointments, in-person checks are strongly encouraged for the most comprehensive support and advice.

For more information visit www.rsa.ie/checkitfits