Your child's car seat is there to keep injuries to a minimum if there's an accident so it is extremely important to make sure it's properly fitted.
Not every type of seat will fit every car. Even if the seat is compatible, it could still be fitted incorrectly, or have the wrong restraint for the child’s weight.
Experts advise parents not to use a second-hand car seat because the history of the seat may be unknown and it could be damaged.
For comprehensive car seat advice, visit the ROSPA child car seat website.
You can also get expert advice for choosing and fitting a new car seat from Child seat safety and the RAC website.
Car seat safety check events
We hold regular events that residents can attend to check that their car seats are safely fitted.
Some of the most common safety issues we have found at our events in include:
- harness being too loose on the child
- headrest affecting the child
- harness being too high
- headrest affecting the seat
- foot prop incorrect on an isofix seat
Car seat safety check events in 2026
June:
- Thursday 4 June: Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre, Christchurch - 9:30am to 1pm
- Friday 5 June: Littledown Centre, Bournemouth - 10am to 1:30pm
- Friday 5 June: Kings Park car park, Petersfiel Road junction Clarence Park Road - 2:30pm to 4pm
- Saturday 6 June: The Ark car park, Poole Park, Poole - 10:30am to 4:30pm
August:
- Tuesday 25 August: The Ark car park, Poole Park, Poole - 9:30am to 4:30pm
- Wednesday 26 August: Littledown Centre, Bournemouth - 10am to 4pm
- Thursday 27 August: Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre, Christchurch - 9:30am to 1:30pm
November:
- Monday 9 November: The Ark car park, Poole Park, Poole - 10am to 4pm
- Tuesday 10 November: Littledown Centre, Bournemouth - 10am to 1pm
- Tuesday 10 November: Kings Park car park, Petersfiel Road junction Clarence Park Road - 2pm to 4pm