A child seat offers children optimum protection in the car at all ages.
The seat belt is a nuisance for some, but indispensable for self-protection. Because anyone who gets into an accident without being strapped in risks serious damage, in a serious case even his life. What provides optimum protection for adults, can only be neck or abdominal injuries to be inflicted if there is a collision. Therefore a special measure must be taken here.
One child seat, which is appropriate for the age of the small passenger ensures that sudden energy impacts attenuated are. This can significantly reduce the risk of suffering an injury. However, this protective function is only effective if the child seat placed on the car seat child seat also depends on the age or. corresponds to the size of the child.
In our guide, we address the question: which child seat is suitable for which age? Among other things, we explain what to look out for in a child seat from the age of 4, for example. We also take a look at the law and explain which regulations for child seats are to be complied with.
FAQ: what role does age play for the child seat??
According to the legal regulations for child seats, a child seat is mandatory until the child reaches the age of 12. the child has reached the age of 150 cm or has reached a height of 150 cm. This regulation serves traffic safety.
No, the standards of child seats are usually based on the weight of the child. A distinction is made between five weight classes:
– group 0: up to 10 kg
– group 0 plus: up to 13 kg
– group 1: 9 to 18 kg
– group 2: 15 to 25 kg
– group 3: 22 to 36 kg
Provided the child seat selected complies with the legal requirements, children of all ages may also be taken along in the front passenger seat. However, a rear-facing infant carrier may only be used if the passenger airbag has been deactivated beforehand.
No desire to read? Child seat obligation explained in video
Legal requirements: this is a must when transporting children in the car
Which child seat should you choose for your child from the age of 3?? Always make sure that size and weight fit.
The federal road agency has been studying the safety rates of road users since the 1970s. documents the use of seat belts, child seats in cars and trucks, and the wearing of helmets and protective clothing on motorcycles or bicycles.
In 2015, the rate for the safe transport of children in child on average 99 percent. A thoroughly reassuring result, since it shows that parents attach great importance to the protection of their children by using a child booster seat depending on the age of the child.
However, the bundesanstalt fur strabenwesen also found that 15 percent of all children over the age of six on country roads and inner-city roads only with a normal child seat which is not suitable for children three-point seat belt were secured. Two percent vehicles are fully unsecured in the car with. Such an approach is not only irresponsible from the perspective of parental care, but also simply forbidden.
In § 21 of the German Road Traffic Regulations (stvo), the legislator stipulates that children must be up to the age of twelve, the smaller than 150 cm can only be transported in special restraint systems. in a serious case.
By law, child safety seats size and age as decisive fixed points defined. According to this, a child seat must be used until the child reaches 12 years of age or exceeds the 150 cm limit. For the obligation to use a restraint device to expire, the presence of one of the two criteria.
It is the responsibility of the parents, if necessary, to continue to use a car seat mode of transport to fall back on, when the legal requirements for child seats no longer apply. If, for example, the seat belt of a twelve year old does not fit optimally, but cuts into the neck, a car seat from child seat regardless of age should be considered.
Optimally secured in the car: the right child seat for every age
"which child seat is suitable for my child from the age of 3?? Until when must a child seat be used?" these and similar questions are floating around in the heads of many parents. After all, the offspring should always be optimally secured. But the wide range makes the choice very difficult for many.
Child seat from 6 months: babies can also be taken in the car, provided that a suitable baby seat is used.
In deviation from the law, the manufacturer child seat should not be based on age and size, but on the weight of the boys or girls to be transported. Usual here is a division into five weight classes:
- Group 0: up to 10 kg
- Group 0 plus: up to 13 kg
- Group 1: 9 to 18 kg
- group 215 to 25 kg
- Group 3: 22 to 36 kg
In the group 0 and 0 plus usually fall up to 18 months old babies that can be taken along in the car. offspring group 1 are between nine months and three and a half years of age old. Children in groups 2 and 3 are, on average, at an age of from four to twelve years. But of course every young earth citizen develops differently, so that the age classifications to the weight groups not to be understood rigidly are. Some three-and-a-half-year-old children weigh more than 18 kg and therefore require a category 2 child seat.
Basically, the main focus when choosing a suitable child seat, do not focus on age, but on the constitution of the boy or girl. For example, if you are looking for a child seat for 3 or 4 year olds, it body size and weight be decisive.
It is therefore advisable to take your daughter or son with you when buying a restraint system. A sitting test then guarantees that the fit is correct and that the child is comfortable in the device. Also make sure that the child seat, whether from 4 or 5 years of age, equipped with belt hooks is. These prevent the pelvic belt from riding up and causing abdominal injuries in the event of a collision or similar.
Although the protective function of a child seat does not depend on age, this aspect can be an important factor for young vehicle occupants psychological role play. This makes a three-year-old feel a bit more comfortable adult, get a child car seat for 4 years and older.
The ECE test standard: seal of approval for safe child seats
Child seat up to 12 years: below this limit, not using a seat is prohibited up to a certain body size.
Whether looking for a child car seat from 2 years or for children of higher weight classes, it is always important that the product officially approved was. This is guaranteed by a test standard, which corresponds to the so-called ECE regulation.
This provision specifies uniform technical regulations of motor vehicles and equipment fixed. In most european countries, therefore, there are specific test criteria, to which a child seat from 1 year of age must correspond in the same way as a car seat from 4 years of age.
Every child seat in the different age groups or age groups. weight classes, which complies with these requirements, is subject to a corresponding sticker provided. Since april 2008 is required that this imprint at least the "ECE-R 44/03" standard must have. Models marked with an older label do not meet the minimum requirements for safe transport and are therefore not suitable for use prohibited.
You want to install a car seat for children from 3 years old in the USA has been manufactured? As a rule, this is not advisable, since in this case the testing standard is usually not observed will.
So make sure that the child seat you prefer for 4 or 5 year olds has the designated sticker contains. What this looks like and what the individual elements our graphic illustrates what this means:
Strict regulations apply to child seats. It is particularly important to have a valid sticker, the min. The standard ECE-R 44/03 has.
The new ECE directive for child seats
In order to ensure even greater safety in the transportation of passengers, the legislator has usually approval specifications for the child seat revised. Age and weight are unchanged, but the restraint devices are subject to new requirements. So there are child seats that meet the marking "ECE-R 129 contain. This seal of approval is intended to replace the previous one sooner or later. models that are labeled with this have been side impact test subtracted. In addition, the subdivision into weight classes is omitted here. The manufacturer may specify a size, rather than an age or kilogram number, for its child safety seat.
Parents who still have a child seat with the "ECE-R 44" seal must use it not replace it immediately. Because still new regulation is not mandatory. However, if you are about to buy a restraint for your child, you should think about choosing a model with the new sticker to be literally on the safe side for the next few years.
Is there a maximum age for the use of a child seat??
Always well protected: a child seat may be necessary for children over the age of 12 if the belt would otherwise cut into the neck.
As already mentioned, when it comes to child seats, the age less important than size and weight. The legislator only stipulates that up to the age of twelve years, that is, up to the child’s twelfth birthday, a restraint system must be used if the boy or girl is not previously taller than 150 cm are.
Many manufacturers not only categorize their products based on the five different weight ranges, but also specify age specifications before. This is what some companies offer based on the average weight for example, a car seat specially designed for 3-year-olds and devices for other age groups at.
Such labels make the choice easier for some parents, because age is often more important than weight or size. For example, some mothers and fathers are more likely to buy a new model on the child’s sixth birthday if they are currently using a car seat from the age of 4.
Apart from the magic limit of twelve years, which is anchored in law, companies sometimes give age limits to. However, these are more for guidance. Weight and size are and remain the decisive factors.
age limit for the restraint system
Nowadays the car is an integral part of everyday life. So that this does not change also with Nachwuchs, must be paid attention here to a safe accommodation. When driving with a baby, some special rules apply. So infants always ride in baby seats lying against the direction of travel. This transport option is considered the safest.
In the so-called reboarder, the offspring can be can be taken along shortly after birth. There are also different models to choose according to the size, weight and age of the child. For example you can find a infant carrier used from 3 months of age can be. But also a baby-suitable car seat from 1 year or similar are available in specialized shops. Once again, parents should pay more attention to the individual fit pay more attention than to the printed age specification.
Some children will soon no longer want to lie in a baby car seat. Then the change to a suitable child seat the age or. According to the size, in which daughter or son can assume a sitting position, recommended. Practical are also variants that can be. Such a child seat can be adapted to the age and physical constitution of the child small conversions can be adapted. This usually also changes the orientation: the baby car seat installed backwards in the car becomes the forward-facing child seat, which in the age of at least one year can be used.
For taller children, the booster seat is sufficient
Child seat: 5 years of protection for your child. But now your offspring is too big. Time for a booster seat.
Once the infant carrier and child seat have been overcome, it is possible to switch to a booster seat. It is a device that from a weight of 15 kg is suitable. In this case three variants differentiate:
- Simple booster seat: these can easily slip and do not provide lateral support. They are therefore not recommended.
- products with guide hornsThe seat belt is stabilized to prevent dangerous crushing in the event of an accident on the highway or elsewhere.
- Models with backrestThese are considered to be particularly safe, as neither the belt nor the seat can slip out of place. In addition, the child is also offered lateral protection and these raises adapt to the size of the user due to the height-adjustable backrest.
Special questions about the child seat, age, size and weight of the child
In the following we will go into some questions a problem that child seats often trigger in users and then frequently lead to insecurity. With our tips you are prepared against such conflict situations.
size and age limit have priority over weight
Even among small earthlings there are some heavyweights. So it can happen that a child not yet 150 cm and twelve years old is, but already weighs more than 36 kg. This puts it outside the manufacturer’s fifth weight class. Do the age and size that are standardized in the law also apply to the child seat?
Yes, this regulations cannot be avoided. One of the two conditions must be met in order to avoid the obligation to use a special restraint.
Many child seats officially approved up to 36 kg are also allowed, used by heavier children to become. A look at the instructions for use provides clarity here.
lap belts require special child seats
It is mandatory that every officially approved child seat has an inspection sticker, regardless of the age of the child.
Is a vehicle only with lap belts equipped, the child seat used must take into account not only age, weight and size, but also this aspect. There are special pelvic belt restraint systems. As a rule, however, these are only up to a weight of 25 kg designed. Only child seats adapted to these special conditions prevent a collision, for example by disregarding the side distance, from causing serious damage.
This limitation can be explained by the fact that nowadays the three-point harness a typical piece of equipment heard from vehicles. It is rather unusual if this is not present.
Is it allowed to take a child in the front passenger seat??
With a child seat that takes the age and size of the child into account, a child may also taken along on the passenger seat become. However, a rear-facing infant carrier should only be positioned where the passenger airbag previously disabled. side airbags are not a problem for children riding in the car. As with adults, they ensure increased injury protection.
If group 2 and 3 child seats are fitted next to the driver, the passenger seat in the rearmost position be pushed. A straight backrest is also important. But note: some car manufacturers generally prohibit the use of a child seat – regardless of age or other factors – in the passenger seat.
Carrying other children: special seats are still compulsory
Carpool are a popular transport option. Some pairs of parents agree to drive each other’s children to kindergarten together with their own offspring from time to time. This saves gasoline, relieves the mothers and fathers and pleases the little ones.
May the offspring also sit in the passenger seat in the appropriate child seat for their age?
But beware: if you know in advance that you will be taking boys and girls with you, they belong in a child seat, if the child has not yet reached the age of twelve or the height of 150 cm. Only in emergencies, for example, after an accident with a child, may the child seats are not used become.
Do not put school bags in the child seats
It is only a short way home from school. It is hardly worthwhile for the son to put down the school bag, he simply sits down with the backpack in the child seat. What certainly seems practical, however, is one thing not: safe. Therefore, bags and similar items should always be put away before taking a seat in the child seat. The same applies to thick winter jackets. These may prevent a protective harness, so that the necessary traffic safety is no longer guaranteed.