Buying a child car seat is an important undertaking. It keeps your child healthy and alive in the event of an emergency. Therefore, it is important to know some points in order to find a good car seat.
When choosing a car seat, you need to pay attention to the marks given to it after a crash test. It would be nice to study the results of these tests, carried out not only in Russia, but also in other countries. The car seat must have an inscription: ECE R44 / 03, or - ECE R44 / 04.
You need to determine exactly which age group chair will suit your child. Each child is individual, including physical data, so it is better to take the child with you to the store.
According to the methods of fastening, car seats are of two types: some are fastened in the car using seat belts, others have a fastening mechanism called Isofix.
Depending on the weight of the child, choose a car seat from a certain group:
Car seats for children weighing from birth up to 9 kg.
… Car seats for children weighing from birth up to 13 kg.
Group 0 and 0+ car seats are installed only against the movement of the car. This is due to the fact that the infant has a very heavy head in relation to the body, and he still cannot hold it well. The seats of these groups have comfortable handles to make it easier to carry the car seat. A soft, small pillow under the baby's head is also needed.
Car seats for children weighing from birth up to 18 kg. Used for up to about four years. They can be installed both against the movement and in the direction of it.
For children weighing from 9 to 18 kg. They can be installed only in the direction of the vehicle.
For children weighing from 9 to 25 kg. They use such a chair for up to six years. Other manufacturers have car seats in this group from 15 to 25 kg.
For children weighing from 22 to 36 kg (from 6 to 10 years old), for some manufacturers - from 15 to 36 kg (from 4 to 11 years old). There are chairs that can be unfastened from the base. Without disturbing the sleeping child, you can bring him home.
Transformers. This chair grows with the child and can be used by children weighing from 9 to 36 kg.
A baby under one year old, especially under six months old, should not be on long trips. In infants, the muscular apparatus of the neck is not yet sufficiently developed and a heavy head (¼ of the weight of the child's body) can harm the baby if it falls. If, nevertheless, the crumbs have to be on long trips, you should pay attention to the seats of group 0, or joint groups 0/0 +, 0/0 + / 1. The chair should have a lying position in which you will transport a child up to one year old. Some seats from group 0 did not show very good results in the crash test, therefore, if possible, you should refrain from long trips with your baby. In the chair, the child is fixed with soft wide straps; there should be additional protection from impact around the head. When buying, carefully study the buckle-buckle of the seat belts. It must be strong and made so that the child cannot open it on his own. The lock should be covered with a protection made of soft bulk fabric so as not to harm the internal organs of the child in the event of an impact. Consider the comfort of the shoulder harness pads, they should not slide down freely. Since children often fall asleep in the car, it is important that the car seat be able to adjust the backrest position.
Another important consideration when choosing a seat is the way it is mounted in the vehicle. There are armchairs that are fastened with an ordinary car belt for the back and for the seat, and the baby is fastened with a five-point car seat belt. It often happens that the chair is installed incorrectly, this does not ensure the safety of the child. It will be more reliable if you fasten the child together with the seat with the standard car belt. The existing Isofix fastening system allows you to securely install the car seat in your car, it does not fit all cars, so you need to make sure you have a special adapter.
Car seat design
When buying a chair, fold back the fabric, consider a rigid frame. Ask what material it is from. Better if it is metal. There should be no questionable plastic elements on the seat belts. The seller is obliged to show you how to attach the seat and the child in it.
It is important to pay attention to the lateral protection of the head and shoulders. If you intend to install the seat against the direction of the vehicle, deactivate the front airbag, if present. The safest place to install a car seat is in the back seat.
Do not think about how to save money, because a cheap uncertified chair is dangerous for a child's life. The price of a really good car seat is high, but this is justified, because the parts are not cheap, and the price includes a guarantee of the child's safety. The quality of the chair will also speak about whether your baby is willing to sit in it, how comfortable it is for him.
Before you buy a chair, you need to make sure that it fits the profile of the seats and the length of the seat belts is sufficient. Find your car model in the Isofix car seat documents.
The moment comes when the child has grown out of the car seat in which he drives. If the head protrudes beyond the top edge of the back by a third or the exit points of the seat belt are below the shoulders, then it's time to buy another chair.
In no case do not buy a chair from your hands, because the chair could have been in an accident, and the seller will not tell you about this. Buy only new from the store. Take your child's safety seriously.
