Car seat Safety Lewis Story

[CandCfam]

Thank you for sharing your story. I hope that others will listen!

[Kiyoko504]

C.C.C.P.

Critical

"Any child in need of critical aid I will be there"

Children's

"All children will receive protection no matter how old"

Care

"I care for any child needing assistance with mental and physical problems"

Protection

"Any child I see in need of my protection I will aid them"

(Comfort Is The First Priority

[xkat89x]

Wow I have just watched your video, I am a nanny caring for a 13month old little boy will be getting his parents to buy a rear facing seat! Thank you!!!! x

[LewisnRachel]

@xkat89x Thank you so much. x

[MsTokenGirl]

Thank you to Lewis and his family for helping me. I have been trying to persuade my man that we got it wrong when we bought a forward facing for our two year old and our one year old. If this doesn't convince him to forget the wasted money on the forward facing ones and buy rearward facing whatever the financial cost, nothing will! The money's in their accounts ready for them....

INCARSAFETYCENTRE.CO.UK

Wishing your family all my love and best wishes xx

[LewisnRachel]

@MsTokenGirl Thanks for your lovely words, I am so glad that we helped xxx

[gemdrew]

Thank you for sharing this eye opening video, its so hard to find good advice. I've only found 1 company that stock RF up to 4 years, but unfortunately my budget wouldn't stretch that far so, I went to Halfords (UK) to buy a Recaro Young Sport (suitable 9 months to 12 years). The shop assistant told me that it was suitable from birth and that parents didn't need to worry about using a rear facing car seat for a newborn. Obviously i complained, but seriously, who is training these people!!!

[LewisnRachel]

Please note since making this video I have now got Lewis in a RADIAN XTSL seat by Sunshine Kids from America and it is fantastic, if anyone wants info of where I got it just ask. x

[sianshoes]

@LewisnRachel Hi, could you let me know where you ordered it from here in the UK, many thanks xxxx

[LewisnRachel]

@sianshoes Hi, I bought Lewis's seat on Ebay, think it was called justkidsstore and Rachel's is from the incarsafetycentre.co.uk in milton keynes. You can't buy any seats in the UK that will harness up to 12 years or anywhere near!!! so frustrating. Hope this helps. Dawn xxx

[bmitchell87]

@LewisnRachel My children (2 and 4) both had radian xt carseats and because of a car accident now have radian xtsl! They have always stayed rear facing despite remarks and comments, their sitter planned a special day taking them to the city, we approved of it weeks before hand unfortunately they could not safely rear face in her old car. They were forward facing going 55-60mph when her brakes failed. A few months later we still have lingering problems, but thank god they were ok. Great video!

[LewisnRachel]

@bmitchell87 wow, thank god they were ok, thank you for your lovely comments xx

[LewisnRachel]

Please note since making this video I have now got Lewis in a RADIAN XTSL seat from America and it is fantastic, if anyone wants info of where I got it just ask. x

[luv2bfishin]

I so sorry for the tragic event that has touched your lives. The video will save countless families, and children, from sharing a similar experience. It is sad that we, the victims of such tragedies, need to put the word out to others rather than our government officials pursuing more meaningful child safety measures..

I shared a similar tragic event when my 18 mo old grandson, Joel, broke his neck while restrained in a front facing car seat.

You will make a difference

Grandpa

[LewisnRachel]

@luv2bfishin Hi, thanks for your message, I saw the story about your grandson Joel and you inspired me to make our video. Best wishes to you and your family. xxx

[7777rmommie]

Thank you! I'm on a very very tight budget, but you have convinced me to buy a Swedish rear facing car seat for my toddler and have it shipped to the US.

[jennasmom2012]

@7777rmommie

I think having seats sent over from other countries is illegal (sadly.) Can someone confirm this for me?

[starduststwinkle]

Oh my that opens your eyes indeed! Thank you for sharing!

[swtgi1982]

Here in the USA it is slowly catching on too

I am a proud mother of three all who ride rear facing in my van ages 4.5, 3, and 10 months

[LewisnRachel]

@swtgi1982 Thanks. Wow you must be busy haha xx

[swtgi1982]

@LewisnRachel can I have your permission to use your video for educational purposes as I am a car seat technician here in the USA?

[LewisnRachel]

@swtgi1982 Hi, Yes that's fine, if u want my email address let me know. Lewis is now in a Radian XT SL from the USA. Dawn. x

[7777rmommie]

@swtgi1982

Where did you find your rear facing carseats here in the US?

[swtgi1982]

@7777rmommie The seat my oldest two ride in rear facing is the Safety First complete Air car seat which rear faces to 40lbs. If you are looking for something for a heavier child then I might suggest the Radian XTSL which rear faces to 45lbs

MY older kids are light weights weighing in at 34 and 28lbs

[lenats31]

Hi , In my honest openion, shop assistants in baby gear stores have no clue what they are doing regarding car seats. often the info given to parents is wrong. Bad education is what it is.

[LewisnRachel]

@lenats31 Yes you're so right, it's shocking the advice they give they haven't a clue. Thanks.

[lenats31]

Hi, just you know that, it is not that car seat manufactorer refuse to sell the large RF seats in the UK. It is just that there is hardly a market for them there. It is possible to increase availablity by raising awareness.

[LewisnRachel]

@lenats31 Hi. I think the manufacturer's are the issue here. People can not buy a seat if it is not sold in any shop here. When you go for a new car seat, RF seats for older babies / children are not even mentioned by the shop assisstants, so how are parent's supposed to know about them and make an informed choice?? Surely, if they were stocked and promoted in our shops, people would buy them and the market would increase.

[LewisnRachel]

Update: Today I have a new seat, its a Radian XT SL by sunshine kids, I bought it from America. It is a fantastic seat, just a shame we CANT get these from our stockists in the UK!!!! Rear facing 5 - 45lbs and then is a 5 point harnessed excellent booster up to 80lbs, it is ISOFIX (Super-LATCH) or seatbelt fitted and has a top tether strap. Very easy to install. I recommend this seat to you all.....

[mrscd83]

I followed the link to this from a mum and baby forum and just wanted to thank you for sharing your story and raising awareness.

[LewisnRachel]

@mrscd83  Thank you for your support x

[snowrae]

Thanks for sharing your story. I was aware of the better safety of rear facing seats (and the difficulty in getting them in this country) but not about the huge differences between 5 point harnesses and adult belts especially in bigger children.

[NicolaMonk]

Thank-you for using your story to raise awareness.

[princesssamplethis]

I'm a little confused as to why he is restrained with the 5 point harness AND the seat belt. It needs to be one or the other. It has not been tested this way.

[NicolaMonk]

@princesssamplethis It's a recaro start with a 5 point positioning harness, used correctly. The start does not come with a harness that can be used independently of the 3 point belt, if they had used it as just a 5 point belt it would be misuse. It's primarily used for special needs children.

[LewisnRachel]

@NicolaMonk Thanks Nicola for your support x