From September 18th car safety laws for children are changing. Make sure you are in the know about the new regulations designed to keep your kids safe in the car

Most of us are careful about ensuring that the kids are in some kind restraint in the car, but it's not always clear what restraints are best for whom. The kind of safety measures we choose is critically important for the safety of the child, and for this reason the law about child car seats is changing on 18th September 2006. From that date:

• Children under three must use the correct child restraint appropriate for their weight in cars, vans and other goods vehicles. But a child under three may travel unrestrained in the rear of a taxi if the right child restraint is not available.
• Rear facing baby seats must never be used in a seat protected by an active frontal airbag.
• In vehicles where seat belts are fitted, children three years or up to 135cm in height (approx 4'5") must use the appropriate child restraint.

If a child reaches the age of 12 and is not yet 135cms they will be able to use an adult seat belt.

Top tips
Jean Birtles, Director of Top Notch Nannies, suggests the following tips to encourage your child to adjust to his or her new car seat:

• Make it theirs: Take your child with you when you buy the seat. Get them to choose the colour/pattern they like best so that they have 'ownership' of the seat.
• Explain why calmly: explain to them logically and calmly that it will help them be safe.
• Routine: Make it part of the 'getting in the car' routine. Children like routine and repetition as it makes them feel secure. Make it a fun checklist, 'Daddy seatbelt - check! Mummy seatbelt - check!'.
• Travel treats: Put together a special 'travel pack' that goes with the seat, which contains things your child enjoys playing with on car journeys such as crayons or special toys, plus their favourite drinks.
• Name it! Get your child to name the seat. He will be happier to sit on 'Henry' the seat if it's a name he has chosen.
• For older children: Try comparing the protective clothing worn by one of the child's role models (for example a footballer or a racing driver) to keep them safe, with the equipment in the car that keeps the child safe.

Birtles advises: 'Getting your child to accept a car seat, even if they're older, is about making it theirs, making it part of the routine and not frightening or threatening them with horror stories. Children respond really well to calm explanation and the odd treat or two!'

It is estimated that the new regulations will save 2,000 in-car child deaths and injuries every year, so make sure that you are in the know about the latest child safely laws designed to protect your children in the car.

For more information about the new regulations, go to the Child Restraints Campaign section of www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk.