The content of the article:
- What the law says
- Budget option or expensive restraint
- Choosing a car seat taking into account the weight of the child
- Fastening
- Convenience and comfort
- Important nuances of choosing and installing a child car seat
Safety is a top priority for modern car manufacturers. However, these measures give results only in relation to the driver and adult passengers, and the child who is in the car is still in danger, and the standard means of the car cannot protect him properly.
What the law says
Since January 1, 2007, the use of special car seats in our country has become a prerequisite, but not for everyone it has become the norm and necessity. Traffic regulations have been amended to require drivers to use child restraint car seats to transport children under 12 years of age. If the driver violates this requirement, he will be fined.
All children's special devices must be certified. What information does the seat tag contain?
- standard code (ECE R44 / 03 or R44 / 04);
- category;
- E badge with the code number of the country that carried out the tests;
- load weight (maximum weight of the child);
- certification identification number;
- serial number of the product.
Why can't a child be fastened with a standard seat belt? Such a belt is designed for a person weighing over 36 kilograms and a height of 1.5 m; for the rest, these remedies are ineffective and even dangerous.
According to the WHO, the use of a restraint reduces the death of children under one year old in accidents at once by 60-70%! And among kids under the age of four - by 55%.
Based on these data, it can be argued that using a car seat to transport children is not just fashionable, but primarily necessary for road safety.
There are a lot of child seats now, the difference is not only in price, but also in design. How to wisely approach the choice of a child car seat in a car?
Budget option or expensive restraint
Along with reliable child restraints in Russia, it is allowed to use an alternative for restraining children in a regular car seat. The main goal is to ensure the safety of the child during transportation in the car, but do they all cope with this task?
There are a huge number of options for alternative devices. Traffic rules do not impose any specific conditions on such devices. Alternative adaptations include special ties, braces and harness adapters that “correctly” fasten the child. Of their advantages, only low cost and compact size can be distinguished. Such alternative devices comply with GOST, the penalty for their use does not shine on the driver. But the most important thing is that these devices do not guarantee the safety of a child in an accident and may even be dangerous for children.
Choosing a car seat taking into account the weight of the child
The first moment when choosing a child car seat will be the weight of the child - based on this, the group of the seat is determined. The age and height of the baby does not matter much; the most important thing is that the head is not higher than the upper edge of the back. Load limits are strictly stated on the label.
There are 5 main groups and 3 additional ones, which include universal restraints.
Let's list the five main groups of child restraints and give them a brief description:
- Group 0, for children weighing less than 10 kg;
- Group 0+, the child's weight is less than 13 kg;
- Group 1, child weight 9-18 kg;
- Group 2, child's weight 15-25 kg;
- Group 3, the weight of the child is 25-36 kg.
Although there are chair models that cover several groups, most likely you will have to purchase more than one device. First, it will be a chair for a newborn, and then - for older children. Buying a seat that is suitable for multiple groups will save your budget, but the safety of single group seats is much higher.
Group 0 (child's weight no more than 10 kg)
This is a cradle, because for a newborn baby, a lying position is required. The cradles of this group are installed across the movement of the machine to make it easier to approach the child (secured with standard belts). Often, strollers are equipped with such cradles (i.e. the cradle is used as a car seat). But the main disadvantage of such devices is that the cradle quickly becomes small for the child. Consequently, "0+" car seats will be more popular.
Group 0+
In another way, such chairs are also called carriers. They are used to transport a child whose weight does not exceed 13 kg. You will be able to use such a chair for about a year and a half.
The seat is placed in the direction of travel, and the child is facing against the direction of travel (sudden braking in this position will not be so dangerous) and is fastened with five-point seat belts. The carrier is installed in this way due to the specifics of the child's anatomy - the child still has a weak neck: when hitting the front of the car, a large load is placed on the neck.
Group 1
This group of chairs is intended for children weighing up to 18 kg under the age of 4 years.
It includes devices that are located in the direction of the vehicle. These car seats use their own straps to secure the child, while ISOFIX or LATCH systems are used to secure the child to the car seat. Many car seats can change the recline angle from sitting to lying down.
Group 2
This chair is suitable if your child's weight does not exceed 25 kg, it can be used for transporting children 3-7 years old.
These seats have standard belts, three-point child car seat belts or safety tables. Backrest and headrest adjustment available.
Booster Car Seats - Group 3
The chairs of these groups are also called boosters - a kind of pillow-stand on which the child will sit. These restraints are designed for children aged 7-12 years, weighing up to 35 kg.
This pillow increases your child's height and can be secured with a standard shoulder strap.
Universal car seat
Also on the market for child car seats, you can find universal seats suitable for children of different ages. Often, manufacturers combine groups 0+ and 1, as well as groups 1, 2, 3. Such restraints can have a wide range of adjustments, and internal five-point belts can also be dismantled. Of course, purchasing a universal car seat will be cheaper than purchasing car seats of all groups separately.
Fastening
Installing the car seat should be quick and easy; This is especially true for car seats and carrycots, because if parents lead an active lifestyle, then the chair will be removed from the car more than once a day.
How to attach the restraint:
- With the help of standard seat belts - this is the most famous method in which the belts pass through special guides, and the child safety system is securely fixed. In addition, it is worth getting belt pads.
- With ISOFIX mount. Such an attachment system for seats is only advisable if the machine is equipped with the same attachments. The child seat is equipped with special metal rails that attach to the brackets at the bottom of the rear seat of the car. You can additionally use an anchor strap - this will increase the stability of the chair in an accident. In addition, the chair rests against the floor with an adjustable support.This is the most secure mount.
- The LATCH fastening system is popular in America. It bears a resemblance to ISOFIX, but the metal rails are replaced with buckle straps.
Convenience and comfort
When choosing a restraint, pay close attention to how comfortable the child will be in it. In addition, you also need to think about not only the comfort of the baby, but also about your own. The chair's carry handle helps you carry your device without the hassle.
It is good if the chair has an adjustable back - when moving, many children fall asleep, and in this case, you can easily transfer the chair to a reclining position. An important role is played by the presence of an adjustable head restraint and reinforced side protection - they protect the child from side impact and hold him well during a sharp turn.
The chairs have different security systems. It can be a 5-point belt that evenly distributes the load on the body in an accident, an automatic belt tensioning system, two- and three-point belts, safety tables that protect the head, neck and internal organs from injury. The body of the child restraint must be completely filled, and it must contain only energy-absorbing impact-resistant plastic.
For a car seat cover, a dense, non-marking, hypoallergenic, soft “breathable” fabric is chosen that provides good air permeability. In order for the cover to be washed, it must be easily removable. If all these conditions are met, your child will be comfortable and comfortable in the chair.
Important nuances of choosing and installing a child car seat
Things to consider when attaching the device:
- The child car seat must not be installed on a seat that is equipped with an airbag;
- Installation of a car seat is carried out strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions;
- The back seat is safer for seat installation;
- A child under 1 year old must ride with his back in the direction of travel;
- The chair must be fastened very tightly;
- The child's head should not be higher than the top edge of the back of the restraint.
When choosing a car seat, consider some points:
- The child's weight and age must correspond to the car seat group;
- Examine the structure: whether the backrest tilt, the adjustment of the headrest and armrests change, whether it is easy to control; how the child is fixed in the chair;
- car seat fastening method (belts, ISOFIX, LATCH);
- Choose a place of purchase, taking into account the reliability of the seller and the adequate cost of the model you like;
- Pay attention to the product certificate;
- Check the complete set of the chair and its integrity.
To provide your child with a safe and comfortable journey in the car, take care of purchasing a high-quality and reliable seat. Properly installed, you can be sure that every trip with your small passenger will be happy.
