Children up to a certain age must be seated in a child seat in the car in order to be allowed to ride in the vehicle. Legislators have issued clear guidelines on this issue to increase the safety of young passengers. The range of different child car seats available from specialist retailers is correspondingly large. However, it is precisely this choice and the scope of the requirements that often confuse parents. Here you can read about what to look out for when buying a child seat for the car and how to place your child safely in the vehicle.
sleeping well in the right child seat (photo: child car seat, thomas kohler, flickr)
Legal requirements for child car seats
Legislation stipulates that a child must be at least twelve years old or have reached a height of 150 centimeters in order to be able to ride in a vehicle without a special child car seat. In addition, the child seat chosen must be appropriate for the child’s body size and weight. The legal regulations refer to a restraint system that ensures optimal belt routing. In addition to the legal requirements, parents should also observe the car manufacturer’s specifications for their vehicle. Some vehicles are not suitable for a child seat to be attached to the front passenger seat. It is also important that for vehicles that only have lap belts on the back seat, car seats for this type of belt are selected. The regulation, for which body weight which car seat class must be used, is clearly regulated. An overview of the weight classes (source: Landesverkehrswacht).De):
Tips from the expert: get expert buying advice
If you are unsure about the large selection of different car seats for children, then it is best to seek advice from a specialist retailer. experts in the sale of such seats can work with you to find the right car seat for your child and give you important tips. When buying from an online store, personal advice on the spot is of course omitted. Instead, professional suppliers offer you the possibility of receiving advice by telephone when buying a car seat for a child and have set up a service hotline for this purpose. With suppliers like lcpkids.trained personnel are available on this hotline to answer your questions. In addition, the detailed product information for each article already provides initial information about the age class, safety and standards that are met.
Properly securing a child seat in the car
In addition to a suitable child car seat that is the right size and meets all standards, the way it is installed in the car also plays an important role in ensuring the child’s safety. Baby car seats can be placed on the passenger seat as well as on the back seat. They must be fastened against the direction of travel. If the infant carrier is placed on the passenger seat, it is mandatory that the airbag on the passenger side is turned off. For some vehicle types, vehicle owners cannot switch off the seat themselves, but must visit a specialist workshop to do so. In the case of child seats of a different class, the passenger seat must also be adjusted to the rearmost position and the backrest of the seat must be set upright.
For an optimal security of the childr seat in the car, the correct installation is essential. – Image: ADAC markus zahradnik
Child seat checklist – a child seat must have:
Be suitable for the weight of the child.
Be approved for your car and fit in the vehicle with regard to the headrest, the seat and the belt routing.
Be equipped with a recognized seal of approval.
design the harness so that the belt fits snugly against your child’s body, even during movement.
The comfort of the seat is sufficient for long journeys.