As we kick off Child Safety Week 2025, we’re sharing one simple but powerful car seat safety tip each day — to help parents feel confident, informed, and empowered to make the safest choices for their children.
Today’s tip: Keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible.
Why Rear-Facing Is So Important
By UK law, children must travel rear-facing until at least 15 months — but that’s just the legal minimum. At Car Seat Ninja, we always recommend extended rear-facing for maximum safety.
The gold standard? Rear-facing until 125 cm, depending on the limits of your car seat. This often means rear-facing until around age 6–7.
What makes rear-facing safer?
In a frontal crash — the most common and most dangerous type of collision — a child’s head, neck and spine are significantly better protected in a rear-facing seat. That’s because:
- A baby or toddler’s head is disproportionately heavy, making up around 25% of their total body weight.
- Their neck muscles and spine are still developing, and not yet strong enough to withstand crash forces in a forward-facing seat.
- Rear-facing seats support the head, neck and back as one unit, distributing forces more evenly and reducing the risk of serious injury.
Research shows that rear-facing is up to five times safer than forward-facing for young children.
How long can my child stay rear-facing?
That depends on the car seat you’re using. Extended rear-facing seats are specifically designed to keep your child rear-facing beyond the toddler years.
These include models from trusted brands like Axkid, Avionaut, BeSafe and Britax — many of which are available to try at Car Seat Ninja.
Need help choosing the right seat?
If you’re not sure whether your current seat supports extended rear-facing — or you’re ready to upgrade — we’re here to help. Book a consultation or drop us a message for expert advice tailored to your child, car, and family needs.
And don’t forget to follow us all week long as we share more top car seat safety tips for Child Safety Week 2025.
Because when it comes to car travel, rear-facing really is the safest start.
Would you like to learn more? Read of blog page on Why Rear Facing? here.