Note: Also see this article “Can I remove the factory standard padded accessories from my client’s seat in rearward facing?” OR “Can I use aftermarket padded accessories or liners with an install?“

As a general guide  most safety seats are recommended to have the factory padded inserts in for a rearward facing child seat, and removed when the child is placed forward facing – BUT, this is not a rule!  It’s a guide and with every different seat you will have to refer to the instruction manual, or the manufacturer to find out whether it has been tested to meet Australian Standards in whatever configuration you believe is best for the situation you’ve been presented with.  While we are building a database of safety seat manuals, we are currently missing many on the website – feel free to email us and we’ll get it to you if we have it available.

The reason you need to be precise with this, is very simple – if the product has been tested in the configuration you are hoping to use then you know that it will perform to the manufacturers expectations in an impact.

What should you do if your client wants to utilise the liner anyway?

Just a couple of thoughts to start with;

• The ACRI Network and it’s members cannot and should not control what a client does – we live in a democracy
• The client needs to be made aware of the potential dangers/risks, and if they choose to use the accessory in a way that is not tested to Australian Standards with that particular seat/situation then that is up to them but the ACRI Network only recommends to comply with the manufacturers directions.
• It’s best practice for you to log this discussion, on the same logging sheet/software you utilise to attain the clients signature – just simply and directly, for example “Noted client using liner, made aware that it is not recommended by manufacturer in this configuration.”