Statistics of road reports has been very disappointing lately, up to thousands of children die on the roads of Russia every year, and tens of thousands suffer various injuries and bodily injuries. You have probably seen more than once how in passing cars children are not just not wearing seat belts, they just “jump” around the car. And about the presence of a special child car seat and can not speak. It remains only to regret such parents. And the matter is not even in the fine provided for this violation in the amount of 3,000 rubles (Article 12.23 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation and Article 22.9 of the Traffic Regulations of the Russian Federation). In the absence of a chair in the account can be a human life!
Starting from January 1, 2007, amendments to the traffic rules are in effect in Russia, which prohibit drivers of passenger vehicles from transporting passengers under the age of 12 without special restraint devices (car seats). The amendments are not for nothing - children's car seats regularly save lives. According to the statistical reports of the WHO (World Health Organization), in automobile accidents, the death rate of children under one year old has decreased by 75%, and up to 4 years - to 56%.
In this article we will tell you how to choose a child car seat, what to look for. We warn you, the choice will remain difficult, because there are a lot of car seats represented by different designs and prices.
note
When choosing a chair, keep in mind that they must comply with the standards of the international standardization organization. In Europe, strict rules for the transport and safety of children have long been established. Therefore, each seat should contain information that it complies with the European safety standard ECE R44 / 03 or ECE R44 / 04. In accordance with it, the classification of chairs is divided into five groups, differing in the maximum age and weight of the child who can sit in it. But since children of the same age can be completely different in body size, it is necessary to take into account first of all the weight, the age of the manufacturer is indicated approximately.
|
Group |
Weight |
Age |
|
Group 0 |
0 to 10 kg. |
From 0 to 6 months. |
|
Group 0+ |
0 - 13 kg. |
From 0 to 12 months. |
|
Group 1 |
9-18 kg. |
From 1 year to 4 years. |
|
Group 2 |
15 - 25 kg. |
From 3 to 7 years. |
|
Group 3 |
22 - 36 kg. |
From 6 to 12 years. Height up to 150 cm. |
Photo: www.baby-dream.su
Types of car seats
Group 0
Car carrier, armchair of group 0. It is intended for transportation of a newborn baby. The baby is fixed in it with a wide belt, the head has additional protection. Traveling in such a cradle is possible until the age of 3-4 months. Many popular manufacturers refused to produce car seats in this category, preferring the group 0+. The reason for this is numerous crash tests showing that such autofolies are unsafe, and sometimes even dangerous to exploit. And, as a rule, the child quickly grows out of such a chair.
Group 0+
Many combined strollers, commonly called “3 in 1”, are equipped with just such a car seat. They allow you to transport a child weighing up to 13 kg and under the age of 1 year. Such cradles are used as mobile carrying for the child. If desired, they can be put on the wheels of the stroller chassis. This design of the chair is very convenient for the baby, without disturbing his sleep during out walks. A car seat is installed against the course of the vehicle (back to front) to secure the cervical vertebrae in a child during sudden braking. The baby is fixed in a half-lying state with wide five-point belts. The seat itself is attached using an Isofix system or standard seat belts.
Group 1
When your child is sitting independently, and his weight exceeds 9 kg - you should move to the chairs of group 1. They are designed for children aged from one to four years. Car seats of this type are installed only in the direction of the vehicle, and are fixed in two tilt positions - for sleeping and waking. The child is fastened by internal five-point seat belts, or a special little table. The baby's head area is provided with additional side impact protection. Fastening of a chair is carried out either regular seat belts, or the Isofix system.
Group 2
Chairs of this type are installed exclusively along the route of the car. Designed for children weighing from 15 to 25 kg. Equipped with guides that allow the child to fasten a regular three-point car seat belt. There are no internal belts in such a group. In the chairs of this type there is the possibility of adjusting the backrest in height, which allows you to adjust it to the height of the child. A very convenient feature when you can separate the back and seat to use the latter as a car seat group 3.
Group 3
Boosters - most often so called chairs of group 3. They are deprived of a back, but equipped with armrests and guides for a seat belt. Such a seat is sold separately, or remains from the previous group. Suitable for children whose weight ranges from 22 to 36 kg, with a child's height from 120 to 150 cm.
Useful tips
- When buying a chair, be sure to put a baby in it. It is very important that it corresponds to his weight, and he was comfortable in it.
- For practical use, buy chairs that combine three groups (1, 2, 3). This will avoid unnecessary financial costs. Thereby, one car seat will serve you much longer.
- When transporting children under 3 years old, be sure to wear them with Y-shaped (five-point) seat belts, because only they can prevent chest damage and spinal injuries.
Baby car seat manufacturers
According to the results of crash tests, the best chairs are made by European firms. In particular, you can trust the products Cybex, ROMER, MAXI-Cosi, Jane, Chicco, Kiddy, Recaro. Such car seats in the event of a traffic accident will provide your baby with maximum safety.
Common customer mistakes
- You will make a mistake if you buy a child car seat group 2 with the Isofix system, as it maximally maintains 18 kg weight. In the chairs of this type, it will play only a formal character.
- Think before you buy a used car seat. Despite the visual appeal, it may be subject to constructive marriage, which is not noticeable visually. In order not to risk the most valuable passenger, buy new seats in stores.
- You should not save on child safety and buy a budget chair. Cheap Chinese plastic and unreliable fasteners can fail at the most inopportune moment.
