At Towel Society, we know first hand how quickly child seats can become messy. Wet swimwear, toilet training accidents, snacks, sand, sunscreen, spilled drinks and everyday chaos all take a toll on car seats and prams.

As parents ourselves, we wanted to create a simple, practical solution that helped protect the areas that cop the most mess, without needing to constantly remove and wash bulky car seat covers. Our Waterproof Child Seat Insert was designed to be quick to use, easy to clean and compact enough to keep in your car, nappy bag or pram basket for everyday life on the go.

Safety and Compliance

Safety has always been at the forefront of our design process. We spent significant time researching, developing and refining our Waterproof Child Seat Insert to ensure it aligned with relevant Australian standards and manufacturer guidelines.

The Towel Society Waterproof Child Seat Insert has been designed in line with voluntary Australian Standard AS 8005:2020 Accessories for child restraints for use in motor vehicles.

AS/NZS 1754 Child restraint systems for use in motor vehicles was also referenced throughout the design and development process.

Independent Dynamic Crash Testing

While independent dynamic crash testing is not a mandatory requirement for this category of accessory product, Towel Society chose to voluntarily invest in comprehensive independent testing as part of our commitment to product quality, responsible design and customer confidence.

As parents and business owners, we believed it was important to go above and beyond minimum requirements to better understand how our design performed when used alongside recognised child restraint systems under dynamic testing conditions.

To further validate our design, independent dynamic crash testing was completed through APV-T Test Centre in Melbourne, a NATA accredited testing facility recognised internationally for automotive safety testing.

Aim of Testing

The purpose of the testing was to assess the performance of the Towel Society Waterproof Child Seat Insert in accordance with Clause 8.3 of AS 8005:2020 Accessories for child restraints for use in motor vehicles.

Samples and Test Objects

Independent testing was completed using two widely recognised child restraint systems currently used within the Australian market:
• Maxi-Cosi Tuva
• Britax Maxi Guard

Both restraints were tested using industry-standard P3 Child Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATD’s) to simulate real-world child occupant crash conditions.

Our Waterproof Child Seat Insert tested was manufactured using a 1 a three-layer design consisting of:
• Soft towelling upper layer
• Waterproof inner membrane
• Non-slip clear rubber micronode backing

As our insert is designed as a universal accessory intended to fit a broad range of harnessed child restraints, it is not practical to test every seat model currently available on the Australian market. Instead, we selected two highly recognised and widely used restraint systems to provide representative testing across common restraint styles.

Test Method

The objective of AS/NZS 3629.1:2013 is to provide manufacturers and testing authorities with a recognised method for assessing child restraint performance under various dynamic testing conditions in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS 1754.

Frontal impact dynamic testing was performed using a P3 Child ATD in a forward-facing, upright seated position in accordance with procedures outlined under Clause 10 of AS/NZS 3629.1:2013 Methods of testing child restraints – Dynamic testing.

The Waterproof Child Seat Insert was fitted according to Towel Society manufacturer instructions prior to testing.

Testing assessed the performance of the child restraint systems both with and without the Towel Society Waterproof Child Seat Insert fitted.

Results demonstrated that the insert did not interfere with the normal performance or function of the child restraint systems during dynamic impact testing.

Design Considerations

Our insert has been intentionally designed to work alongside existing harness systems without obstructing or altering the restraint’s intended operation.

Key design considerations included:
• Maintaining minimal bulk to reduce compression concerns
• Allowing correct harness positioning
• Preventing bunching, slipping or movement during use
• Providing a waterproof barrier while remaining lightweight and flexible
• Ensuring quick installation and removal without modifying the restraint itself

The insert’s lightweight three-layer construction was specifically developed to provide practical waterproof protection without excessive thickness or padding that may impact harness fitment.

Materials and Performance

During development, consideration was given to relevant performance requirements including:
• Material safety
• Durability
• Comfort
• Resistance to everyday wear and tear
• Ease of cleaning and maintenance

The insert is designed to withstand real family life while remaining soft and comfortable for children during daily use.

Everyday Practicality

The Towel Society Waterproof Child Seat Insert was created for real-life parenting moments. Whether it’s swimming lessons, beach trips, toilet training, snacks on the run or spilled drinks, the insert helps protect your child seat from everyday mess while making cleanup quicker and easier.

While our independent dynamic testing was performed specifically on child restraint systems, the insert has also been designed for practical use in many prams, strollers and selected high chairs with centre buckle systems, making it a versatile option for busy families.

Important Information

As with any child restraint accessory product, parents and caregivers should always ensure the child restraint harness is correctly fitted and adjusted according to the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions.

Professional Testing Information

​*We are happy to provide video, photographic and report references relating to our comprehensive independent testing documentation to potential professional partnerships and approved distribution networks upon request.