What is a convertible car seat?
A convertible car seat is a child seat that "converts" from rear facing for infants and small toddlers to forward facing for children. Britax convertible car seats can accommodate children from birth up to approx. 4 years of age.
My car seat has been in an accident, does it need to be replaced?
We highly recommend you to refer to our Crash Exchange section within our web site for more information.
Can the Platinum air cushion be placed onto older models?
No, air cushions are fitted at the time of manufacture.
Can someone please tell me the laws for car seats?
By law, an infant must be in a rear-facing restraint to at least 6 months of age, the child should then should progress to a forward-facing restraint to at least 4 years of age.
My car seat is 10 years old. What should I do with it now?
We recommend that restraints over 10 years old be discarded. Britax currently does not offer a recycling program, but you may want to contact your local recycling facility to see if the seat can be recycled.
When you discard a car seat, be sure to cut off all of the harness and top tether, cut the cover, remove or black out the serial number and manufacture date, and write “trash, do not use” on the car seat shell.
We have an old car seat that is more than 10 years old. Can I still use it ?
No, our recommended lifespan on all infant restraints is 10 years from date of manufacture.
How do I safely dispose of my old Safe-n-Sound car seat?
Car seats are made with polypropylene which is number "5" for recycling purposes. Please check with your council for the best method of disposal.
I have my 2 and a half year old in a Maxi Rider and when he falls asleep in the car he ends up with his head dropping down. Is this safe?
We would suggest you have the seat in the reclined position if you do not already have it this way. Dependent on how we fall asleep in an upright position there is a possibility of our heads dropping forward. What is good to note is that your child is still protected even if their head has dropped forward.
The buckle on my Safe-n-Sound car seat doesn't seem to be working properly what should I do?
Please refer to your instruction manual on how to remove the buckle from seat then wash the buckle in hot water and retry the buckle. If you continue to experience problems, please call our Customer Service Department n 1300 303 330 to arrange a replacement buckle.
Do you have any tricks to stop the straps on my child restraint from constantly getting twisted?
It is best to open and hold the harness up by the buckle tongue rather than grabbing the harness to avoid twisting. Also, when you remove your child from the seat, you need to ensure the straps have no twists and again as you re-enter your child back into the seat. The Meridain and Platinum SICT models do have 'helpful harness holders' on the side of the seat to prevent such twists.
Is there anything that we can get to stop the buckle being undone by my toddler?
As per the Australian Safety Standards, the buckle does need to be accesible in the event of an accident, hence there are no devices/covers available to prevent access to the buckle.
Am I able to purchase a baby insert for my car seat for my newborn?
A newborn insert is not available to purchase seperately. Inserts are generally included with the purchase of a complete trim set, dependent on what model seat you have. In saying that, your seat is still safe to use without an insert.
What is the difference between a harnessed seat and a booster seat?
"Booster seats differ from a harnessed car seat in that a booster seat, by definition, simply “boosts” the child up so that the vehicle seat belt is positioned correctly across the child’s hips and shoulder/middle of the chest. Booster seats rely on the vehicle seat belts to hold both the child and the booster seat in position.
Harnessed seats have an internal harness system that is used to restrain the child."
Can I use my restraint overseas?
Many countries have laws for using child restraints and their standards differ from Australia. Laws vary from country to country and even state to state. Countries with strong laws are European countries, USA, Canada, Japan and South Africa.
Many vehicles around the world are not yet fitted with a child restraint upper anchorage point or fitting thus to use an Australian seat an upper anchorage fitting needs to be installed. There will be no fittings in Taxis and most rental cars. In many developing countries there are no seat belts in which case a child restraint is of no use at all.
New Zealand accepts child restraints made in Australia to the joint Australian and New Zealand Standard and there is an understanding of the upper anchorage strap and vehicle fittings. Despite this it is worthwhile asking for a rental vehicle that is suitable for Australian Child restraints and it has an upper anchorage (tether strap) fitting in the vehicle.
I have purchased a Britax child restraint overseas and have brought it to Australia, can I use it?
Britax seats are made to other overseas standards and not to the joint Australian/New Zealand standard. The traffic rules in all states required child restraints to comply with the Australian Standard AS/NZS1754 and in some states required certification (the 5 tick mark used on all Australian seats). Using an International restraint that doesn’t comply with AS/NZS1754 is illegal. Thus there is the possibility that you could be booked for a traffic violation or in the case of a crash an Insurance company may consider that the Child restraint invalidates the insurance policy and you may be held liable for the death or injury of your child.
Which child seat is best for my child?
The best child seat is one that fits your child, fits in your vehicle, and is easy for you to use each and every time. You will notice that some child seats are easier to use than others, while some will not fit into certain vehicles, and some of each type are less suited for the child's size and development.
Read all product labels and verify that the specifications of the child seat meet your current needs.
Will a Britax car seat fit in my car?
Britax car seats fit most vehicles.
We encourage you to try installing the seat directly into your car at the retail site, because not all car seats are compatible with all vehicles.
If you are considering a convertible (infant/child) car seat, try it in both the rear-facing and forward-facing positions.
Can I purchase and use any Britax restraints available through other countries?
Although the Britax is in other countries, any Britax car seats which do not meet the AUS/NZ standard cannot be used here in Australia as the traffic rules in all states require child restraints to comply with the Australian Standard AS/NZS1754 and in some states required certification (the 5 tick mark used on all Australian seats).
How long can I leave my baby in my baby capsule/car seat?
Do not leave your child in the baby capsule/car seat for extended periods.
