The child car seat was invented in America more than 80 years ago, since then, with the help of this device, thousands of lives of young passengers who have been in emergency situations have been saved. According to the traffic rules in the Russian Federation, the presence of a car seat when transporting young children is a prerequisite. During a collision, light small passengers are thrown out of car windows or hit against the walls of the passenger compartment.
Convenient designs developed by Russian and foreign manufacturers help to save the lives of babies in difficult situations.
Features:
Car seats from 9 to 25 kg are designed for children from three to seven years old. Model groups 1 and 2 have their own characteristics. There are no recumbent (sleeping) models. According to European standards, this is considered dangerous, since there is a possibility of a child slipping under a regular seat belt. For convenience, the back of the chair reclines at an angle of 5–45 degrees, many children manage to sleep in such conditions.
The safer options include structures where a table acts as an attachment. In critical situations, this reduces the strain on the neck. A transforming chair designed for small and large children often creates problems for both. For babies, for example, the headrest is high. But in a situation where the child rarely travels, but grows quickly, or when the budget is tight, buying a transformer is fully justified.
The armchair must not contain empty space. The child must be securely fixed, but at the same time not restrict his movement.
Pros and cons
Car seats for each age category have their own advantages and disadvantages.
- Category 1. Car seats are of a fairly high level of safety. They are able to adopt positions that are conducive to sleep and rest. You can travel in such a chair for a long time and without damage to your health.
- Category 2. Models of this type do a good job of safety features. You can pick up designs in a moderate price range without much impact on reliability and quality. The disadvantage is the lack of a comfortable sleeping position and the complexity of individual selection of the design.
Tilt angle
In car seats of categories 1–2, the angle of inclination ranges between 5 and 45 degrees, it all depends on the weight category and model. Only a cradle for the smallest can be completely in a prone position, but it is large and takes up a lot of space in the back seat of the car. In order to recline the back of the chair, set in the standard position, the seat has to be pushed as far forward as possible, while leaving room for the baby's legs. Therefore, in the sleeping position, the forward-facing chair has a maximum angle of 35 degrees.
Failure to fully turn the seat is also associated with a dangerous load on the baby's pelvis in the event of a head-on collision. The five-point harness has a buckle in the groin area. When the chair is tilted too far, the center of gravity shifts downward, which is dangerous for the child's health. Many models have two to eight reclining options to help parents position the seat in a comfortable position for their baby.
The structure, which is mounted against the movement of the car, has the ability to recline the back of the seat by 45 degrees.
Kinds
Transportation of children under 10 years old in a car must be carried out with the participation of specialized car seats. Given the changes in baby's weight as they grow, manufacturers have divided their products into several categories. For the smallest, category 0 car seats are available. The older the baby, the larger the product. For babies weighing from 9 to 25 kg, crosses of categories 1 and 2 have been developed.
Category 1
It is designed for children from 1.5 to 3-4 years old with a weight not exceeding 19 kg. Car seats in this category are installed in the direction of movement of the car, they are arranged in a sitting position. The design resembles adult models, while traveling it is convenient for the kid to observe what is happening in the cabin. The seat belts have five anchorage points. The chair can be lowered 15 degrees for a comfortable rest.
This type of structure is not intended for horizontal position. The maximum tilt can be dangerous in a collision, since the seat is located in the direction of travel. Models of category 1 can be equipped with the Isofix protection system (fixed to the floor), an adjustable headrest, side protection elements, a retractable footrest, and a safety table that protects the child during an emergency.
Category 2
This category is intended for children weighing from 19 to 25 kg, which corresponds to the age of 3-7 years. Such models have external seat belts, allow you to adjust the back of the product and even remove it if necessary. The simplicity of the product (back, seat and headrest) does not make the model less secure. Constructions even in the middle price category are absolutely reliable. The more expensive the chair, the stronger the material and the higher the quality of the product. The price is also influenced by the availability of additional functions.
There is no prone position in these categories. When the chair is tilted, it is possible for the child to slip under the outer belt. The backrest has no rigidity fixation and easily reclines with little effort, but it is very dangerous to lower the seat together with the backrest in order to organize the baby's sleep. The backrest tilt of five degrees is sufficient for a comfortable journey. The Isofix fastening system in this category only fixes the chair, protecting it from lateral movement.
There is another type of car seats for children - these are transformers. Such models are transformed according to the weight and height of the child, which makes it possible not to purchase products in stages for different age categories. The disadvantages include a reduced level of security.
This model is suitable for families who rarely travel with a child by car.
Model rating
It is worth dwelling in more detail on information about the most popular models of child car seats for 2018.
- Inglesina marco polo Is an Italian model of the latest generation of car seats in the weight category up to 18 kg. It is made in a comfortable shape, has a tilt adjustment, and is equipped with a side protection (SHP) for the child's head.
- Concord Transformer XT Is a German car seat designed for children from 3 to 11 years old. Ergonomic, multifunctional model attracts attention with good design. Every little thing is thought out for safety and convenience.
- Classic British car seat Mima iZi Go Flair Is the embodiment of elegance and taste. It is made of leather, handmade. The chair blends harmoniously with the interiors of English cars.
How to choose?
When choosing a model, the child's weight is taken into account first. Manufacturers have divided the structures by weight categories for small passengers.
- Category 1. The passengers of these seats are babies from one and a half to three years old with a body weight of 10 to 20 kg. To make the right choice of a model in a given weight category, you should decide for yourself: how often and how far trips with a child will take, whether additional functions are needed, and how much you are willing to spend. For rare spontaneous trips, you can get by with inexpensive options, but for regular travel, it is better to choose models from durable materials of European assembly.
The reliability of the models is backed by the results of crash tests, which is worth paying attention to when choosing a design. If the product is rated “4” or “good”, then it is quite reliable. Lower numbers can have a significant impact on safety.
- Category 2. When choosing a model in this category, one should take into account not only the weight, but also the height of the passenger. These products already use standard seat belts and are suitable for children whose height exceeds 1 m. A full child, suitable in weight, but with abnormal growth, will not be protected in such a chair, since the belts will fall on his neck and stomach. Seat belts designed to secure the shoulder region should not be above or below this area. The width and depth of the structure plays an important role in the safety of a small passenger, so when buying it is better to try on a chair while still in the store.
In addition to weight categories, when choosing car seats, you should pay attention to the reliability and safety of models, then to their convenience and additional functions.
Fixation
The reliability of the attachment directly affects the threat to the health and life of the child in a collision, so they should be given special attention. Car seats for children have two fixation options: standard fastenings with seat belts and with the participation of the Isofix system. The second option is more reliable, as it provides a stable density of fixation of the baby and does not allow displacement. The baby's legs are free and the Isofix system is easy to use.
Materials
U-shaped chairs with a metal frame are much stronger than plastic ones. The most impact-resistant plastic is inferior to metal, which does not deform during service and is a durable material. In addition to strength, it is worth paying attention to the composition of the chair and giving preference to environmentally friendly and pleasant to the touch materials. A sturdy base should have a breathable soft outer cover.
Seat belts
The fixation system in the form of seat belts must be strong, reliable, conveniently located near the child's body, have anti-traumatic pads and metal locks. The belts are fixed at three or five points. For greater safety, a five-point model should be chosen.
Back
The backrest reclines at different angles, making it possible for the child to have a pleasant rest. This is one of the most important parts of the chair, so it must be anatomically shaped and equally comfortable when sitting and lying down. A correctly selected car seat model contributes to a positive mood of the little passenger and guarantees a relaxing journey for the child and his family. Such a design will save the life and health of the baby in critical situations on the road.
You will learn how to install a car seat in a car in the next video.
