Child Car Seats

Car seats for infants are always rear-facing, meaning the child faces opposite to the direction of travel.

Infants must be in rear-facing seats because the head of a child under 1 year is proportionally very heavy, about 25% of their total body weight, and the neck vertebrae of children under 3 years are not fully developed, making them vulnerable. The child’s neck, head, and spine receive much better protection in a rear-facing seat because it limits the impact and movement during a collision.

If a rear-facing seat is placed in the front seat, it is essential to deactivate the airbag in front of the seat.

When the child exceeds the maximum weight of the infant car seat, it is necessary to switch to a child car seat.

Rear-facing car seats

Many child car seats are designed to be used both rear-facing or forward-facing. The child is always safer in a rear-facing seat, and it is recommended to keep the seat rear-facing for as long as possible.

A common question is whether to turn the seat forward if the child’s legs are getting too big and are bent in the seat or seem cramped. Research shows that this does not affect the child’s safety, so it is safe to keep the seat rear-facing for longer, as the head, neck, and spine are the most vulnerable parts of the child.

There are special child car seats designed to be used rear-facing until the child weighs 25 kg. These are secured with extra belts and a support leg that rests on the floor of the car.

Forward-facing car seats

It is not recommended to turn the seat forward for children weighing 9-25 kg until they are at least 1 year old.

It is also not recommended to place a forward-facing seat in the front seat of the car, even if the airbag has been deactivated. The front seat is the area of the car most likely to be involved in a collision.

A child car seat is always safer than a booster seat, so it is recommended that children use a car seat for as long as the maximum weight allows.

After that, it is recommended that a child use a booster seat with a back for as long as possible, or until the child reaches 36 kg or 10-12 years old. Only then is it safe to begin using just the seatbelt.

Booster seat with a back

It is strongly recommended to use a booster seat with a back because the backrest provides protection for the child’s head, neck, and spine. These seats also usually have guides for the seatbelt to ensure it fits properly on the child, both over the shoulder and hips.

Booster seat without a back

Traditional booster seats without a back are essentially just a seat that raises the child up. They do not guide the seatbelt away from the neck to the shoulder, and in the event of a crash, there is a risk that the booster seat may slide out from under the child. In such cases, the seatbelt may cause injuries because it does not fit correctly on the child.

Booster seats without a back often have a higher minimum weight requirement than those with a back. The taller and heavier the child, the more likely the seatbelt will fit correctly over the shoulder and hip.

The seatbelt of the child car seat must lie snugly against the child’s body to prevent movement in the event of an impact. A good rule of thumb is that no more than three fingers should fit between the belt and the child.

The seatbelt of the child car seat may need to be adjusted according to the child’s clothing, tightened or loosened depending on how thick their outerwear is. Ensure that the child is not wearing very thick outerwear in the car. Research has shown that if children wear overly thick clothing, a gap may form between the belt and the child.

Many car seats come with a base that can be attached to the car’s ISOFIX anchorage points. Newer cars and many types of child car seats are equipped with ISOFIX attachments. ISOFIX works by sliding an arm on the back of the car seat into a fitting in the rear seat, where both connectors lock together. ISOFIX mountings in cars and car seats are designed to minimize the risk of incorrect installation, thereby increasing safety.

If your car does not have ISOFIX fittings but the car seat base does, check whether the base can be secured using the car’s seat belts only. If that is not possible, remove the base and install the seat according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Infant car seats have a lifespan of 5 years from the date of purchase. This is mainly because they are typically used very frequently, which affects their structural integrity. Environmental factors can also impact the plastic and foam materials.

Car seats for older children and booster seats have a lifespan of 10 years according to manufacturers. As the seat approaches the latter part of its lifespan, it is important to regularly check its condition and watch for signs of wear in the plastic and other components.

The lifespan is based on the year the seat is first put into use (i.e., removed from its packaging). A used child car seat that is in storage is also considered to be in use.

If a used child car seat is purchased or borrowed, it is important to check whether it has sustained any damage or impact, as it may be unusable even if no damage is visible. A car seat should never be used if its history is unknown.

All child car seats have a label indicating the month and year of manufacture. The label is molded into the plastic and is usually located underneath the seat or on the back. There are often two markings, such as circular dials with pointers—one indicating the month of manufacture and the other the year.

All safety equipment for children in cars must meet European safety requirements according to regulations on the use of safety and protective equipment in vehicles. Child car seats must comply with European standards, either ECE Regulation 44.04 or ECE Regulation R129 (i-size).

The label is an identifier for approved child safety equipment in cars. All child safety equipment sold domestically must carry this label. ECE R44 is the base marking, and 04 indicates which version of the child car seat standard the equipment complies with. Thus, 04 is the latest version of the standard, and if a seat is marked ECE 44.04, it meets European safety requirements.

The i-Size ECE R129 regulation outlines rules for child car seats that apply alongside the current legislation on child car seats in this country (ECE R44.04). These regulations enhance child safety and, among other things, allow children to remain rear-facing for longer. If a child car seat is purchased outside Europe, it must be ensured that these standards are met if it is intended for use domestically.

It is not recommended to buy, rent, or borrow used child safety equipment for cars. The reason is that it is impossible to know whether the seat has been involved in an impact or was in a car accident, which could affect its safety. If you borrow safety equipment, it is best to get it from someone you know well and trust. It is important to check the age and condition of the seat thoroughly before use and ask whether the equipment has been in an accident.

Those who choose to buy or rent used safety equipment must check:

• Whether the seat fits in the car.
• Whether the seat is suitable for the child’s height and weight.
• How old the seat is and when it was first used.
• Whether the seat has been in a crash or other damage.
• Whether manufacturer instructions are included on how to install the seat correctly.
• How many children have used the seat previously.