It is quite difficult to do without a car in the modern world. The presence of children in families should not become a reason that impedes the active life position of parents. However, do not forget that the car is the comfort of movement, fraught with danger. Child car seats help to create the safest possible conditions for the little passengers in the car. It is very important to make the right choice and not rely only on the visual appeal of this accessory.
Car seat functions
The seat belts in the car cannot fix the child's body, ensuring his protection. And if the child is in the car seat, then special inserts are insured on the sides of him, the head is at the level of the headrest, the belts fix the body. All this contributes to protection against injury when creating an emergency.
Car seat groups
According to the height and weight of the child, there are several groups of car seats.
- To group 0+ includes models for transporting babies up to 13 kg with a height of up to 75 cm. They are installed backwards. This position is recognized as the safest for this age.
- Group 1 armchairs designed for children weighing up to 18 kg with a height of up to 98 cm. These chairs are usually used up to four years of age. The belts have a five-point fastening system, ensuring high stability. These seats are fixed facing forward, giving the little passenger the opportunity to observe the world around them.
- Children from three years of age and older chairs of not less than 2 groups are intended. They are designed for transporting children weighing up to 25 kg with a height of up to 120 cm. Their difference from group 1 is in the adjustment of not only the backrest, but also the armrests. The fastening is carried out already by the vehicle seat belts. One of the most popular models is the Carmate Swingmoon. The features of this model include a three-position change in the backrest tilt, headrest adjustment, the presence of a footrest, a five-point seat belt, a comfortable size that provides a spacious position for the child.
- Group 3 armchairs designed for children weighing from 15 to 36 kg with a height of up to 135 cm. One of the most popular models is Heyner Ergo, it is advantageously distinguished by a reliable base, stylish German design. The structure is fastened with a car belt. The constructions of this group are only conventionally called a chair, since it is just a cushion seat ("booster"), it lifts the child and is fastened with an ordinary car belt passing through the middle of the shoulder, chest and thighs.
With side impacts, such constructions are useless.
- Armchairs-transformers group 1-2-3 can be used for the longest period, while they are the least practical. Chairs of this model are used for children weighing from 3 to 36 kg (from infancy to 12 years). There are a number of limitations when using this model, and they are not comfortable enough for long trips.
It should be foreseen that sometimes the chair will have to be replaced earlier than the indicated ages due to bulky seasonal clothing (in winter) or due to insufficient chair height or the length of the built-in belts.
- It is preferable to use chairs of group 2/3 after 3 years (for children weighing up to 36 kg and up to 130 cm tall). In this model, only the headrest is adjustable, the position of the back does not change. Britax & Romer Kid II is one of the most popular models. The positive advantages of this model include low weight, the ability to adjust the seat tilt and armrest positions, and a removable cover. The Britax & Romer AdvansaFix model belongs to the same group.
At a high price, the latest model is reliable and durable, and can be used for a long time. The chair has a three-position fixation of the backrest, 11 positions of the headrest, as well as a high comfortable depth, soft comfortable sidewalls, a removable cover is included in the package.
Difference of seats 2/3 groups
They are installed exclusively in the rear seat with a face in the direction of traffic.
There are no built-in five-point belts, since such belts in extreme situations cannot withstand the load of the child's weight that has increased with age. In group seats 2/3 of the child is secured by a regular belt located in the back seat, it is attached over the child seat.
There is no adjustment of the backrest angle, the possibility of an inclined or horizontal position of the child for sleeping is not provided. This is due to the large size of the seats, which cannot be positioned in this position in a small space of the car and at the same time leave a comfortable space for the child's legs.
Please note: the slight tilt adjustment offered in some models only ensures a tighter fit of the seat to the backrest.
How to choose?
The main functional characteristics of car seats include protection from injury, reliability of strengthening, comfort in the seat, ease of maintenance, and environmental friendliness of the materials used.
When choosing, adhere to the following recommendations
- To determine the chair group, find out the child's weight and height.
- An indicator of the high quality of a car seat is the availability of a quality certificate, which are received by models that have passed crash tests - tests that simulate an accident and check the safety of passengers. Check out their results.
- You should pay attention to the metal from which the product frame is made. Frames can be plastic or aluminum. Aluminum is more durable and provides more safety. However, the price of aluminum is much more expensive.
- In group 2/3 seats, the fastening is carried out by the car belts, and they do not sit tightly enough, therefore, when fixing, it is preferable to use special rigid fixation systems isofix or latch. They also allow the child to climb into the car seat without any problems.
When buying a seat equipped with isofix, you should make sure that the lock frame is adjustable in depth, which allows the seat to fit into any car, regardless of the shape of the rear seat.
- Pay attention to the width at the shoulders. Ideal when the width in this area is adjustable.
- Head restraints should be higher than head level. The headrest is adjusted in height. The safest position: the height of the headrest, when the strap matches the shoulder, and 2-3 cm remains from the edge of the chair to the crown of the head.
- An arm and leg support is recommended.
- The upholstery of the car seat must be durable and reliable, as it needs to last for several years. A positive factor is the breathability of the upholstery.
- Removable covers and additional accessories are an important factor. For example, the removable cotton fabric cover is convenient in the summer, when children often sweat.
- Take a close look at the seat markings: stickers, usually found on the back or bottom, provide information on certifications and standards. Certification types will tell you the possibility of installing a car seat in a specific car:
- universal car seats fit almost all cars;
- semi-universal, supplemented with various supports, compatible with certain models indicated in the list attached to the chair;
- special, with a special design and functionality, refer to specific vehicle models.
Remember: the car seat does not fit into an airbag seat or the airbag function is disabled. It is recommended to equip a child seat in the safer back seat.
- Carry out "fitting": check the sufficient length of the straps, the tightness of the device to the seat. The vibration amplitude of the fixed seat should not exceed 2 cm. And finally, put the baby in the car seat, study his psychological comfort while being in this device.
- Make sure that the warranty card is issued correctly.
- It is not recommended to purchase used car seats. It is better to do this in specialized stores.
Preference should be given to manufacturers that have positively proven themselves in the international car seat market:
- Germany - Kiddy, Recaro and Cybex;
- Norway - BeSafe;
- France - Nania Bebe and Confort;
- Netherlands - Maxi Cosi;
- Japan - Aprica;
- Poland - Coletto;
- joint German-British firm Britax-Romer.
Focusing on the family budget, especially the child and the car, parents make their choice. At the same time, it is necessary to realize that a car seat is an obligatory attribute of a car, which preserves the life and health of young passengers.
How to choose car seats of group 2-3, see the video below.
