ACRI did a report for our Network a number of years ago, and had a working relationship with both the manufacturer and the distributor at one stage as well – we are very familiar with the product.

The short answer to your question is that it’s best practice to thoroughly exhaust traditional methods such as discipline first, but there are still circumstances where the best solution will be to utilise accessories such as the Houdini Stop in conjunction with traditional methods – put simply, not everyone is the same, literally every client and child scenario is different.

In addition to this, ACRI have experienced two Australian border states’ authorities with the complete opposite opinion. On the south side of the border, the road authorities’ opinion was the use of accessories such as Houdini, although perhaps not illegal was irresponsible – then travelling just across to the north side of the border the road authority recommended the use of the Houdini Stop. There are many different opinions on these types of accessories, but the fact’s are there are no legal reasons why the Houdini can not be utilised, and in some scenarios it will be beneficial to the safe transport of a child.

Extract from Houdini – the Manufacturer

The Houdini Stop has been crash tested to AS/NZS standard 8005:2013 in both forward and rear facing situations with Type B, A1, A2 & A4 seats and proven to be safe in all these tests. It is important to note that other cheaper copies of the Houdini Stop available on the market, have not been crash tested on all these car seat types,  both forward or rear crash situations, or labelled to these strict AS/NZS standards. Warning they may not be as safe as a Houdini Stop in an emergency.

Is the Houdini Stop safe to use

Yes – it has been tested at the Autoliv Test Facility in Melbourne and crash tested to comply with the AS/NZS standard 8005:2013 in both rearward and forward facing situations with Type B, A1, A2, & A4 seats. It proved to be safe in all tests.

Is the Houdini Stop legal

Yes – It complies with the correct AS/NZS standard in Australia

Should the Houdini Stop be utilised in every scenario

No – It should be assessed on a case by case basis, and should not be considered the first option

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