Child safety in the car tips on child seat and surroundings
very day 500 children die in road accidents in the world. There are precise and mandatory rules to take our children in the car with us. These are fundamental precautions: let’s keep them in mind.
Child restraint systems (CRS) have evolved to make them safer and more standardized. Both car manufacturers and child seats have joined forces to optimize them, and ensure that children are well protected in the car.
Simpler chairs help parents use them correctly. Here, we explain which are the child seats on the market so you can choose the best one.
Also find out which are the safest cars on the market or we also recommend you read about the obligation of car insurance.
Remember, unfortunately, that accidents are the leading cause of infant mortality in developed countries: the belt does not protect the little ones who do not arrive with their feet to the ground.
The new regulations bring with them these key points about car seats
The classification of the groups will be divided into intervals that will change depending on the height of the child and the weight they admit.
Reverse chairs should be used up to 15 months (or 71 centimeters). Although it is recommended that it be done up to four years, although we repeat: according to this regulation it is only mandatory until 15 months.
The seat and the seat of the car in which it is placed must bear an i-Size badge.
The use of the Isofix system is always mandatory.
A side impact test is incorporated.
Fine for carrying children without a seat
Even if it is a short journey, you should always take children under 1.35 meters in an approved child seat according to their weight and age, as it is the only way to guarantee their safety. Wearing them only with the belt, in addition to being an infraction, does not work.
This is because children do not touch the ground, and the belt does not act as with an adult, so it does not protect them from serious injuries or prevent them from being fired in the event of an accident.
Up to what age is the car seat mandatory?
Children should travel by car with a suitable child seat until they are over 1.35 metres tall, usually around the age of 12. We advise you to inform yourself well about how to travel correctly with children by car, especially to inform you about how to keep them distracted and maintain concentration at all times.
Although it is no longer mandatory once children have reached the height of 1.35 meters, the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) recommends using the chair if possible until the child measures 1.50.
From then on, parents can choose between the seat belt or continue to use a type III child restraint system (between 22 and 30 kilos).
Whenever one of the passengers measures less than 1.35 meters (whether child or adult) must be fastened in its restraint system. No matter how short the journey, safety must be the number one priority behind the wheel at all times.
How to carry the baby seat by car?
Babies have to go in seats of group 0 or 0+, always in the opposite direction of travel and preferably in the rear seats unless the car is only two seats or all rear seats are occupied by other child restraint systems in use.
Remember that the safest place to install the child seat is the central rear, but if your car only has the Isofix anchors in the side seats, the safest of them is the rear behind the co-pilot.
When can they travel in the passenger seat?
Minors measuring less than 1.35 are only allowed to travel in the front seat with the corresponding child restraint system if:
The car has only two seats
If all the rear seats are occupied by other restraint systems in use by other minors who need it.
In any case, the seats for the little ones (Group 0 or Group 0+), will have to be placed in the opposite direction of travel to avoid or reduce possible injuries in case of accident or sudden braking.
Also, remember to deactivate the Airbag system if you have it. If you can’t turn it off, you should place the child seat in the back seat. You may also be interested in knowing which are the best family cars
How to place the child seat? Direction of travel or opposite?
Traveling in the opposite direction of travel is safer because the force of any impact is reduced. Therefore, the General Directorate of Traffic forces the most vulnerable children (up to the first year) to travel in the opposite direction of travel.
THE SEAT IS MANDATORY BY LAW
up to 36 kg in weight (or one and a half meters in height) children must travel by car with a seat or an adapter approved to their weight and height.
HOW TO PUT THE CHILD IN THE CAR SEAT
From 10 to 18 kg, children can be placed in the segigolino turned in the direction of travel: the seat must be well tied by the seat belts (always make sure that it does not move). Above 18 kg you can start using adapters: usually these are cushions with backrest, headrests and armrests for the arms. Also in this case the child must be transported in the rear seats, in the center and tied with seat belts. When it begins to exceed 20 kg you can take adapters a little less bulky, equipped only with a pillow, useful to put the child at the right height to be fastened with seat belts without these reaching the height of the throat. After 36 kilos (or one and a half meters in height), the child can travel, always sitting in the back seat, only with the belt fastened.
IS IT INTOLERANT? DO SO
Often children between 2 and 4 years old relax and fall asleep in the car, but if not, do not pay too much attention to their protests if you are driving alone. Never leave your hands on the steering wheel or turn around if the children ask for something (food, cuddles): instead take advantage of the rear-view mirror to look at them.
With children up to 4 years old, a good rule of thumb is to tackle challenging journeys immediately after lunch: the car usually extends the normal duration of the afternoon nap.
MUSIC AS A COMPANION
it is always useful to keep in the car a CD with children’s favorite songs, to sing together. If you have to face a long journey (or a busy road in the city) without any other adult besides you driving, it is better to give the children also some toys: plush toys, booklet or other. Do this before leaving, placing the games near their seat, so you do not have to suffer their constant requests during the trip.
THE SEAT IS NOT THE SAME FOR EVERYONE
NEVER TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED
NEVER IN FRONT!
THE SEAT IS NOT ENOUGH: ALWAYS TIE THEM
