Child car seat

A boy of primary school age sits in a child seat in the back seat of a car

Which legal regulations apply to child seats?

  • For children under twelve years of age who are smaller than 150 cm, child seats in the car are compulsory (§ 21 abs. 1a road traffic regulations).
  • Rear-facing child safety systems are only permitted on the front passenger seat if the airbag has been switched off (cf. § 35a paragraph. 8 road traffic licensing regulations).
  • Child restraint systems must comply with the requirements of UN ECE regulation 44/03 or. 44/04 or the UN ECE comply with regulation 129. These child seats can be recognized by the corresponding orange test badge, which is firmly attached to the seat.
  • When purchasing a used child restraint system, make sure that the material does not show any signs of aging that could affect safety.

How to recognize a good child seat?

You can recognize a good child seat by the orange badge that indicates the UN ECE regulation for the child seat. Child seats according to ECE regulation 129 are considered particularly safe. Child restraint systems according to UN ECE 44/03 or. 44/04 offer with correct installation and handling with ISOFIX-fastening in motor vehicles with ISOFIX points also very good protection.

What is the difference between the two ECE regulations??

Seats with ECE test standard 44 are based on the child’s body weight and are divided into groups 0 to III:

  • Group 0: for babies up to 10 kg
  • Group 0+: for children up to 13 kg
  • Group I: for children between 9 and 18 kg
  • Group II: for children between 15 and 25 kg
  • Group III: for children between 22 and 36 kg

Child seats with the ECE regulation 129 are designed for a corresponding body weight as well as the body size of the child. Child seats with this regulation are divided into so-called "i-size seats" and vehicle-specific seats. I-size seats can be used in any seat marked with the i-size symbol in the vehicle. For vehicle-specific child seats, there are vehicle lists that show whether the child seat is suitable for the corresponding seating position. Seats with this regulation are considered safer.

Which child seat is the right one for which age and size??

The right seat for babies

  • UN ECE-reg rear-facing systems. 44 group 0 and 0+ or the UN ECE-reg. 129 (infant carrier)
  • Babies are secured in a semi-recumbent position against the direction of travel
  • The decisive advantage: in the event of a collision, the baby’s entire body is pressed into the seat shell and safely supported.
  • Please follow the instructions for the transport of children in the user manual of your vehicle.
  • Important: make sure you test the installation of the restraint system in your vehicle before you buy the seat.

For many infant carriers according to UN ECE regulation 44 and UN ECE regulation 129, a so-called base with ISOFIX anchorages is also available. Properly installed, they create a strong connection between the child seat and the vehicle, which significantly improves the protective effect of the seat. Assembly errors are practically impossible with this technology.

I-size systems can be used on all i-size seats in the vehicle, as well as on numerous ISOFIX seats. You can find out which seat may be used in which vehicle from the constantly updated lists of seat manufacturers on their websites. Corresponding lists must also be enclosed with every ISOFIX child seat.

The right seat from crawling age to the first year of kindergarten

  • Recommendation: children up to a weight of approx. 18 kg rear-facing
  • Use of forward-facing child seats in accordance with the new UN ECE-R 129 permitted from 15 months of age.
  • Choice between a UN ECE-R 44 group I seat and a UN ECE-R 129 seat. Check before buying if the seat fits in your vehicle. With some cars there can be space problems.

For both UN ECE regulations, child seat models are available with a seat shell and five-point belt system as well as with a seat shell and impact shield.

Seat shell with five-point belt system

children are strapped in with a seat-specific harness system. These seat models can be used both forward-facing and rear-facing.

Rear-facing seat shells are ideal from the point of view of road safety (mandatory up to 15 months of age according to UN ECE regulation 129), because the child is then best protected in the frontal and side collisions that occur by far the most often. The forces acting on the child are distributed over the entire back area. The flatter the sleeping position is selected, the lower the protective effect of these systems.

Seat shells with safety catch system

seats with a safety harness can only be used forward facing. From a safety point of view, they are the second best solution after rear-facing systems.

The safety harness is fastened with a car safety belt. In the event of a collision, the child is restrained by the impact shield. The restraining forces are distributed over a large area of the child’s upper body by the impact shield, and the forces acting on the child are diverted into the impact shield, thus reducing the point load on the child, especially the cervical spine. However, seats with a restraint system cannot be placed in a sleeping position.

ECE regulation group 44 / I seats are available both with and without the ISOFIX system. Child seats approved in accordance with UN ECE regulation 129 must be purchased with ISOFIX anchorages (i-size and vehicle-specific) and in the future also for fastening with the vehicle belt.

Notes:

  • Install the seat exactly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. An improperly installed or poorly secured seat may not adequately protect the child in the event of an accident.
  • belts that hold the child in the seat in the five-point belt system must run correctly and fit snugly against the body (operating instructions).
  • Thick clothing (e.g. B. Padded anorak or overall) reduces the protective effect.
  • The belt length of the child seat must be regularly adjusted to the body size and clothing of the child.
  • Do not switch to the next child seat group until your child approaches the weight limit stated on the seat or, in the case of i-size models, no longer corresponds to the size specification of the child seat manufacturer.

Kindergarten children and schoolchildren

  • UN ECE regulation 44 group II/III seats, available with and without ISOFIX, and UN ECE regulation 129 i-size models are generally suitable

All have a height-adjustable back support, where the guide for the shoulder belt is also located. As a result, these seats offer children of different ages and body sizes good protection. The child is secured in these seats exclusively by means of the three-point seat belt in the vehicle.

Even if the child is already older, proper restraint with a child seat is essential up to the age of 12 or a body height of 150 cm: in the event of a collision, children without a child seat slide down through the pelvic harness. This cuts into the abdominal space. This can lead to serious internal injuries. We also advise against the use of booster seats without backrest and headrest. In the event of a side impact, they offer the child no protection whatsoever.

What to look for when securing the child with a seat belt?

Tighten the belt as much as possible, starting with the being belts first. If it is too loose, there is a risk that children can slip under the lap belt. Due to the force of a collision, the lap belt can cut into the abdominal cavity. this can lead to serious internal injuries.

Where do children ride safer: in the back seat or front seat??

Generally speaking, children are safer in the back seat, on the right-hand side of the vehicle. The risk of injury in the event of an accident is significantly lower than in the passenger seat. Forward-facing child seats can be mounted on the passenger seat. However, the seat should be pushed as far back as possible for safety against a deploying airbag. In vehicles with an active passenger airbag, rear-facing child seats must not be fitted on the passenger seat. the reason: if the airbag comes loose, there is a risk that it will crush the seat. The child could be seriously injured. Can the front airbaig be deactivated – please refer to the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions for this – is it possible to fit a rear-facing seat on the passenger seat. For safety, the DVR recommends securing children in the back seat. The passenger seat should only be used in exceptional cases.

Tips for buying child seats

In general: if possible, buy child seats from a specialist retailer and try them out in the car with the child beforehand. The range of child seats is almost unmanageably large. It is therefore essential to consult the latest test results from the major consumer protection organizations. Child seats that are used in more than one vehicle (e.g. B. second car) must be selected with particular care.

Downloads

Taking children in the car
brochure in easy language, PDF | 2019

Child safety in the car
brochure bundesanstalt fur strabenwesen, PDF | 2016

The right seat for babies

  • UN ECE-reg rear-facing systems. 44 group 0 and 0+ or UN ECE-reg. 129 (infant carrier)
  • Babies are secured in a semi-recumbent position against the direction of travel
  • The decisive advantage: in the event of a collision, the baby’s entire body is pressed into the seat shell and safely supported.
  • Follow the instructions for transporting children in the user manual of your vehicle.
  • Important: be sure to test the installation of the restraint system in your vehicle before you buy the seat.

For many infant carriers according to UN ECE regulation 44 and UN ECE regulation 129, a so-called base with ISOFIX anchorages is also available. Properly installed, they create a strong connection between the child seat and the vehicle, which significantly improves the protective effect of the seat. Assembly errors are practically impossible with this technology.

I-size systems can be used on all i-size seats in the vehicle, as well as on numerous ISOFIX seats. You can find out which seat may be used in which vehicle from the constantly updated lists of seat manufacturers on their websites. Corresponding lists must also accompany each ISOFIX child seat.

The right seat from crawling age to the first year of kindergarten

  • Recommendation: children up to a weight of ca. 18 kg rear-facing child seat
  • Use of forward-facing child seats permitted from the age of 15 months according to the new UN ECE-R 129.
  • Choice between a UN ECE-R 44 group I seat and a UN ECE-R 129 seat. Before buying, check whether the seat fits in your vehicle. Some cars may have space problems.

For both UN ECE regulations, child seat models are offered with a seat shell and five-point belt system as well as with a seat shell and restraint system.

Seat shell with five-point belt system

Children are strapped in with a seat-specific harness system. These seat models can be used both forward and rearward facing.

Rearward-facing seat shells are ideal from the point of view of road safety (obligatory up to 15 months of age according to UN ECE regulation 129), because the child is then best protected in the frontal and side collisions that occur by far the most frequently. The forces acting on the child are distributed over the entire back area. The flatter the sleeping position, the lower the protective effect of these systems.

Seat shells with impactor system

Seats with a safety catch can only be used in a forward-facing position. From a safety point of view, they are the second best solution after rear-facing systems.

The child safety seat is secured with a car safety belt. If there is a collision, the child is restrained by the airbag. The restraining forces are distributed over a large area of the child’s upper body by the impact shield, and the forces acting on the child are diverted into the impact shield, thus reducing the point load on the child, especially the cervical spine. However, seats with a restraint system cannot be placed in a sleeping position.

ECE regulation group 44 / I seats are available both with and without the ISOFIX system. Child seats approved according to UN ECE regulation 129 must be purchased with ISOFIX anchorages (i-size and vehicle-specific) and, in the future, also for fastening with the vehicle seat belt.

Notes:

  • Install the seat exactly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. An incorrectly installed or poorly secured seat can provide inadequate protection for the child in the event of an accident.
  • The straps that hold the child in the seat in the five-point belt system must run correctly and fit snugly against the body (operating instructions).
  • Thick clothing (e.g. B. Padded anorak or overall) reduces the protective effect.
  • The length of the child seat belt must be regularly adjusted to the child’s height and clothing.
  • Do not change to the next child seat group until your child approaches the weight limit stated on the seat or, in the case of i-size models, no longer corresponds to the size specification of the child seat manufacturer.

Kindergarten children and school children

  • UN ECE regulation 44 group II/III seats, available with and without ISOFIX, and UN ECE regulation 129 i-size models are generally suitable

All of them have a height adjustable backrest, where the guide for the shoulder belt is also located. As a result, these seats provide good protection for children of different ages and body sizes. The child is secured in these seats exclusively by the three-point seat belt present in the vehicle.

Even if the child is already older, the correct securing with a child seat is essential up to the age of 12 years or a height of 150 cm: in the event of a collision, children without a child seat slide down through the lap belt. This cuts into the abdominal space. This can lead to serious internal injuries. We also advise against the use of booster seats without a backrest and head restraint. In the event of a side impact, they do not provide any protection for the child.

What to pay attention to when securing with the seat belt?

Pull the belt as tight as possible and start with the being belts first. If it is too loose, there is a risk that children can slip under the lap belt. Due to the force of the impact, the lap belt can cut into the abdominal cavity. This can lead to serious internal injuries.

Where do children ride safer: in the back seat or front seat??

Generally speaking, children are safer in the back seat, on the right-hand side of the rear seat. The risk of injury in the event of an accident is significantly lower than in the passenger seat. Forward-facing child seats can be mounted on the front passenger seat. However, the seat should be moved as far back as possible to protect against an airbag deploying. In vehicles with an active front passenger airbag, rear-facing child seats must not be installed in the front passenger seat. The reason: if the airbag comes loose, there is a risk that it will crush the seat. The child could be seriously injured. If the front airbag can be deactivated – please refer to the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions – it is possible to fit a rear-facing seat on the front passenger seat. For safety, the DVR recommends securing children in the back seat. The front passenger seat should only be used in exceptional circumstances.

Tips for buying child safety seats

In general, child safety seats should be purchased from a specialist retailer and tried out in the car with the child beforehand. The range of child seats is almost unmanageably large. It is therefore essential to consult the latest test results from the major consumer protection organizations. Child seats that are used in several vehicles (z. B. second car) are used, must be selected with particular care.

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Christina Cherry
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