Good Egg Safety App Goes Nationwide

This week saw the launch of the UK (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) version of the Good Egg Safety Smartphone App, which has already proved successful in Scotland.  The app provides parents with up to date news, information and expert advice at the touch of a button and aims to ensure they remain well informed about how to choose and use the correct car seat for their child(ren).

I recently reviewed the Scottish version of the app, which had a few  teething problems, but I'm pleased to say the people at Dynamic have done a great job ironing out the early creases to provide parents with a great, easy-to-use tool.

What's different with the UK version?

The UK version of the app is separate from the Scottish version and each only provides information based on their respective geographical area, so if you want to find out about Scottish events and news you need to download the Scottish app (and if you live near the border you might want both!).

Other than the geographic data, the information is pretty much the same. Parents are able to input their child's age and weight to be suggested with the most appropriate seat group for their child.  There are also some facts and real life stories to highlight the importance of using the right child car seat for your car and child.  By far the most valuable tools provided by the app are the Seat Checking Events and Good Egg Safety Retailers search functions.  All Good Egg supported seat checking events and approved retailers are entered on the in-built map, allowing parents to find ones convenient for them.  Events can even be put straight into the phone's calendar at the press of a button.

Will there be seat checking events happening in my area?

Being early days there are only a handful of Local Authorities across the UK who have signed up and are offering events.  This is expected to increase over the coming months, so download the app and keep an eye out for events or retailers being added near you!  If there aren't any listed near you its always worth contacting your local road safety team to see if they have anything in the pipeline.

What makes a Good Egg Approved Retailer?

To become a Good Egg Safety retailer named members of staff are assessed by mystery shoppers to ensure they are offering expert advice to parents.  The approval is given to the staff member, not the store, so if the member of staff moves on so does the approval.  In my opinion, this is absolutely key to the scheme.  It allows parents to buy with confidence that they are getting expert advice, not advice based just on making a sale!  It will take time for retailers to be approved to the Good Egg Safety standards, so don't expect a whole load of stores to pop up on the app overnight - you have to appreciate there will be a lot of work going on in the background, not only to approve retailers, but to maintain a program to ensure standards remain high.

Car seat: £200... Expert advice: Priceless!

As a parent of young children and a road safety professional I'm really excited, as I know first hand what a minefield it can be trying to find the right car seat for your child(ren).  You may have a budget under £50 or a few hundred to spend, but whatever you can afford you want to know that you are getting the safest seat possible for your precious offspring.  Expert advice is essential, and the Good Egg Safety campaign is working tirelessly to ensure access to that expert advice for every parent.  In addition to the app they have an online 'Ask the Expert' service, which is answered directly by top professionals in the field.  My one piece of advice would definitely be:  if you have a question please ask it - when it comes to your kids it really is better to be safe than sorry!!