Car Seat Fitting Series - ISOFIX: The fix that clicks!
Posted by Juliet Fernandez on
Over the next few weeks we will be focusing on the various methods of installing a car seat.
We will start with ISOFIX …. So what is ISOFIX?
ISOFIX is a method of installing a car seat that is used internationally. It was legalised in Australia in September 2014.
Most cars in Australia have ISOFIX points that are marked with a symbol of a child in a seat. These points can be tucked away under the seat fabric or leather, or have covers over them that click off or fold up. The points are a metal rod that the seat’s ISOFIX clips click onto.
The ISOFIX clips on the seats in Australia are usually attached to a strap so accommodate any ISOFIX points in cars. At this current time, there is only one car seat restraint on the Australian market that have ISOFIX clips attached to a metal rod – Nuna Klik Plus or Bugaboo Turtle capsules. Even though this seat appears to be easy to fit, there are a few significant issues when using the ISOFIX on Nuna Klik Plus / Bugaboo Turtle that result in many authorised fitters (including us at Baby Things) preferring to fit these seats with a vehicle seat belt instead.
In general, ISOFIX compatible seats are easier to fit – to install the seat, clip the ISOFIX clips into the vehicle’s ISOFIX points and then pull the straps tight enough to so the ISOFIX indicator stays green.
All ISOFIX compatible seats can also be fitted with a seat belt but only ONE method of installation should be used – either ISOFIX OR seatbelt. Do not use both as it can impact on the safety of the car seat. In this case, more is not better.
If you choose to fit your seat using the ISOFIX method yourself, please feel free to pop in for a free check – it is worth the small effort to be sure all is secure.
In a later post we will discuss the safety pros and cons of either fitting methods.