Joie is well known for producing reliable, safe and good-quality products, especially car seats. Designed to be long-lasting, easy to use and comfortable, it isn’t surprising that many parents choose this brand to drive their little ones from A to B. But, once you’ve taken your brand new car seat out of the box, you need to know how to fit it correctly.
When travelling, nothing is more important than keeping your children safe in a car seat. Getting the fitting right is the best thing you can do to ensure your child’s safety in a vehicle. You don’t want to be one of the many parents who are strapping their children into car seats that aren’t fitted correctly; this is risky business. To ensure your little bundle of joy is safe in their car seat, we have put together this handy fitting and safety guide.
Regarding car seat safety information, we understand that it can sometimes feel confusing and overwhelming. This article covers some general safety information you need to know before putting your child in a car seat as well we some of the Joie car seat stand-out features. Still, it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the current car seat regulations too.
Joie Car Seat Safety Information
Car seats must be rearward facing for children from birth up to around 15 months old. However, keeping children rearward facing for as long as possible is recommended as it is the safest option. Studies have shown that remaining in the rearward-facing position protects their neck and spine 5 times more than forward facing. The first infant carrier or car seat that you will need for your precious cargo are groups 0 and 0+.
Children from around 15 months old can sit in their car seats facing either way. These car seats are categorised as group 1. Some Joie car seats transform into booster seats, making them suitable for older children. These car seats are categorised as group 2. Booster seats can be used from around 15kg upwards (around 4 years).
Some Joie car seats are suitable for even older children. Booster cushions can be used from 22kg and upwards (around 6 years). These car seats are categorised as group 3.
General Fitting Instructions for All Joie Car Seats:
- For rearward facing, use the shoulder harness slots, so the straps are either level with or just below your child’s shoulders.
- For forward facing, use the shoulder harness slots, so the straps are either level with or just above your child’s shoulders.
- The headrest should be aligned with or slightly below your child’s shoulders.
- After placing your child in the car seat, pull the shoulder harness over your child’s shoulders.
- Click the harness into the buckle and pull it tighter until your child is secure.
How to Fit a Joie 360 Car Seat
0+/1 car seat
Designed for easier ins and outs, the Joie 360 Car Seat spins to the perfect position to place your baby inside comfortably. Swivel the car seat to face you, place your little one inside and strap them in, then turn the car seat back to a safe driving position and off you go! No awkward reaching over with this seat.
Rearward facing:
- Unfold the load leg at the front of the car seat and place the car seat onto the vehicle’s seat.
- Press the Isofix release button to extend the connectors.
- Align the connectors with the Isofix points in your vehicle and click into place.
- Listen for the clicking sound once connected, and look for the Isofix indicators turning green.
- Extend the load leg to the floor by pressing the release button.
- The load leg indicator will turn green once correctly placed.
- Ensure the car seat is firmly fitted before use by checking for movement.
- Locate the rotation activator underneath the seat and turn it towards you.
- Loosen the straps by pressing the tab.
- Press the red button to disengage the buckle.
- Fix the buckles in the slots on either side of the seat, so they’re stored away.
- Place your child in the seat and release the straps from their slots.
- Press the button to release the straps and position the shoulder straps, then tighten the harness.
- Rotate the seat into the rearward-facing position.
- To adjust the cabin space, press the Isofix button to slide the car seat forwards or backwards.
For forward-facing:
- The instructions to fit the Joie 360 Car Seat as forward facing are the same as a rearward facing seat, except swivel the car seat to face the front instead of the back.
How to Fit a Joie Stages Car Seat
The Joie Stages Car Seat is suitable for children from birth to 25kg (around 7 years) as it grows with your child.
This car seat attaches securely to a vehicle using the seat belt, making it perfect for older model vehicles that don’t have Isofix points. Offering stability and protection, the Joie Stages Car Seat is made with a steel frame, providing strength during impact.
0+/1/2
For rearward facing:
- Make sure the car seat is in the most reclined position.
- Place the car seat on the vehicle’s seat and remove the infant body support.
- Thread the vehicle waist belt through the waist belt slots on the car seat, ensuring no twists, and buckle to secure.
- Pull the waist belt to full tension.
- Pass the vehicle shoulder belt through the lower and upper rear-facing belt guides on the back of the car seat.
- Pull the shoulder belt to full tension.
- Remove the blue locking clip from the storage bag on the back of the seat.
- Click the blue locking clip only the shoulder strap only, tighten the belt and slide the clip as close to the buckle as possible, locking the belt in place.
- Double-check that there is significant tension in the vehicle seat belt so the car seat can’t move around.
- If your child is under 9kg, reinsert the body support.
For forward-facing:
- Place the car seat on the vehicle’s seat.
- Remove the body support, as this is only needed for children under 9kg.
- Before installing the seat, adjust to the desired recline position.
- Thread the vehicle seat belt through the two forward-facing belt guides at the back of the seat, ensuring no twists and buckle to secure.
- Open the red locking clip and insert the vehicle shoulder belt through it.
- Pull the vehicle belt to full tension, ensuring the car seat doesn’t move.
For booster mode:
- Press the button to adjust the harness and pull the straps towards you.
- Place the shoulder straps in the harness hideaway storage compartment and buckle away.
- Unbuckle and detach the snaps on the seat pad.
- Re-attach the snaps to recover the seat pad.
Joie Every Stage Car Seat
The Joie Every Stage Car Seat is suitable (remarkably) from birth to 12 years, making it adaptable for every growth spurt from baby to pre-teen. This Joie product really is the ultimate long-life product.
This car seat has added features, including auto adjust side wings and headrest, to provide extra comfort as your child grows.
Offering added safety, the Joie Every Stage Car Seat has multi-position guard surround safety side impact protection panels and a reinforced steel inner seat shell.
They are made to suit any car with easy vehicle seat belt installation.
For rearward facing:
- Place the car seat on the vehicle’s seat and remove the infant body support.
- Thread the vehicle waist belt through the waist belt slots on the car seat, ensuring no twists, and buckle to secure.
- Pull the waist belt to full tension.
- Place the vehicle shoulder strap through the rear-facing belt guide at the back of the seat.
- Open the locking clip and insert the vehicle seat belt.
- Pull the shoulder belt to full tension and lock the clip, ensuring the car seat doesn’t move.
- If your child is under 9kg, reinsert the body support.
For forward-facing:
- Place the car seat on the vehicle’s seat.
- Have the car seat in an upright position. Remove the body support, as this is only needed for children under 9kg.
- Thread the vehicle seat belt through the two forward-facing belt guides at the back of the seat, ensuring no twists and buckle to secure.
- Open the red locking clip and insert the vehicle shoulder belt through it.
- Pull the vehicle belt to full tension, ensuring the car seat doesn’t move.
For booster mode:
- Press the button to adjust the harness and pull the straps towards you.
- Place the shoulder straps in the harness hideaway storage compartment and buckle away.
- Unbuckle and detach the snaps on the seat pad.
- Re-attach the snaps to recover the seat pad.
Once you have fitted your Joie Car Seat safely and secured your child correctly, you can enjoy your journey. Jazz things up a little or add extra safety and security; a range of car seat accessories is available on our Kiddies Kingdom website.
Keep your rearward always facing little ones in view with a baby-watching mirror, browse our range of Isofix bases for Isofix-friendly car seats or protect your little one from the rain with one of our rain covers.
Happy and safe travelling to you and your family!