According to the laws of Hong Kong, only children of age two or below – who are sitting on the front seat of cars – are required to use children safety car seats that meet pertinent safety regulations; there is no mandate to use safety car seats when children are on the backseats. Compared to other countries where the age for children’s mandatory use of safety car seats is below 5-12, and the use is not limited to front seats, the regulations in Hong Kong are apparently more lenient.

According to the policy measures in the 2013 administrative reports of the Transport and Housing Bureau, the Government is considering laying down legislation requiring that any automobile riders of age 4 or below, weighing less than 18kg, must all use a certified children seat belt devices, whether they are sitting in the front or at the back.

Source: Ming Pao

• Infants of age 12 months or below should use a special safety car seat that is facing the rear of the car

• For small children of age nine months to 4 years, use special safety car seat that is facing the front of the car.

• Choose the infant safety car seat that has obtained the CE European Product Quality Certification, and install properly following the instructions on the product manual

• For children of age 3-12, use ordinary seatbelt along with a cushion

• If there is no safety car seat, the person holding the baby should sit on the backseat, with the baby facing his/her chest

• The person holding the baby should not fasten the baby when putting on the seatbelt, so as to avoid injuring the baby with the strap

• Front seat passengers should not hold babies

Source: Consolidated opinions of CHOICE magazine and experts