A suitable child restraint system protects the child from injury even in minor accidents. Before buying a child seat, you often face a big challenge. Even more so with the first child, but questions also arise with siblings. Can I still use the old seat? Do I buy a new or a used one, what do I have to pay attention to?? Here you will find answers to 15 frequently asked questions.
Until when is a child seat compulsory? Parenting
Children up to 14 years, the smaller than 1.35 meters are require a restraint system appropriate for the child’s weight and size, and may only be used on vehicle seats equipped with an appropriate safety belt.
Children from 1,35 meter can use a standard safety belt (when transporting on seats equipped with safety belts).
Which child seat for which size, weight and age? Parent education
Child seats are classified according to standard groups. Since children do not follow standards, it is always important to try out the child seat before buying it. The overview should help to find a suitable seat for each child.
The child seats divided by standard groups as well as by size, weight and age of the child:
How to find the right child seat? Parent education
Every oAMTC center offers detailed advice to help you find the right seat for your needs. Your child can try out the child seat. For this purpose, a suitable seat is often installed in the car. The test winner can be the wrong choice if it does not fit in your car or the child does not accept the seat.
Can I also install the child seat on the front passenger seat?? Parent education
Child in the front passenger seat children may also sit in the front passenger seat with a suitable child seat.
Keep the airbag activated when using a child seat facing in the direction of travel. With the child seat facing forward, move the front passenger seat back so that the child’s upper body is approximately the same distance from the dashboard as your own.
However, it is essential to deactivate the front airbag on the front passenger seat when using a baby car seat or a rear-facing child seat (reboarder).
When does my child have to change to the next higher child seat weight class?? Parent education
The size and weight recommended for the seat can be found on the test label. It is important that the head does not protrude over the upper edge of the seat and that the shoulder straps can be adjusted to the exact shoulder height. Babies and toddlers should be transported in rear-facing child seats for as long as possible to protect the cervical spine in the event of an accident.
What is i-size and where is the difference to ECE R44-04? Parent education
ECE test seal "i-size" is part of the EU standard ECE R129, which is intended to further improve child safety in the car.The "i-size" certification differs from the previous standard in the following main points:
– the child seats must pass a side impact test to obtain approval – a long-standing requirement of the oAMTC and its partners.
– which child a seat is suitable for is no longer determined on the basis of weight. Instead, the size range (z. B. From 40 to 105 cm) indicated for which a child seat is suitable. The (complicated) class classification no longer applies.
– in "i-size" certified seats, children up to the age of 15 months must be transported against the direction of travel (reboarder).
– "i-size" seats must fit vehicle seats marked with the "i-size" logo according to ECE 129. This significantly reduces the risk of incorrect installation
For parents who already have a child seat, this standard does not change anything. Existing seats may continue to be used, a ban is not currently planned. So if you need a new seat, you can choose between the old and the new standard without hesitation.
Rear-facing (reboard) or in the direction of travel? Parent education
Newborn children are always transported in rear-facing infant carriers. Up to the age of about 15 months or a maximum body weight of 13 kilograms, this form of transportation should be maintained in any case.The advantages in terms of safety in the event of a head-on collision outweigh the disadvantages; safety in the event of a side-on collision is good and handling is straightforward.
Also from the age of 15. For the first month, it is better for the child to continue to be seated facing backwards, as there is less risk of injury in the event of a head-on crash. In the oAMTC child seat test, however, it turns out that rear-facing child seats are often problematic in side crashes and the handling in everyday life becomes problematic with the increasing size of the child. Nevertheless, the rule also applies here to try as long as possible to transport the children against the direction of travel.
The term "reboarder" is an artificial word that has become accepted as a term for large rear-facing child seats. The oAMTC has so far only differentiated between forward-facing, rear-facing and transverse seats and has not made any special sorting in the publication of its test results. The test procedures are the same for all seats; a "good" rating for a forward-facing seat is no worse than a "good" rating for a rear-facing seat. More info about rear-facing child seats
What to look for when buying a used child safety seat? parent education
When buying a used child seat or passing it on within the family and circle of friends, the following points should be observed:
look for the test seal
check that the test seal is still attached to the seat. If the seal is no longer present, we recommend buying another seat.
At the time of purchase, the child seat must comply with at least ECE regulation 44.04 comply. When used, the child seat must comply with at least ECE regulation 44.03 correspond.
- Installation instructions must still be available.
- check accessories against installation instructions.
- Check the belt, belt straps and belt guides for damaged or torn parts.
- Checking the function of seat belt clips, locks, adjustability and locking devices for the reclining position.
- Examination of the child seat for fractures, bends, etc. Remove seat cover to check for loose parts.
If the child seat has been involved in an accident?
- After serious accidents, the child seat should no longer be used. If you are not sure, you can also take the child seat to an oAMTC center for inspection.
What should I do if my child resists being buckled in?? Parent education
Even if the child whines and likes to unbuckle itself: never drive without a child restraint. Only in this way can and will the child understand that the journey will otherwise not continue. With toys in the car, the child will not get bored so quickly. On long car rides, be sure to take breaks so the child can let off steam.
How can I find out whether a child seat is really correctly installed?? Parent education
- The child seat must fixed have your child restrained in the car seat. It should be tilt-resistant and must not slip.
- Rear-facing systems do not use with active front airbags on the passenger seat.
- On the right belt routing check the child. The shoulder belt should go over the middle of the shoulder and the pelvic belt as low as possible over the bend in the groin.
- Avoid seat belts. The child should always tight be strapped in.
- Adjusting belt routing and head support to the growing child adapt.
- The operating instructions follow the instructions carefully to avoid incorrect use.
- If children are already buckling up on their own, it is a good idea to check the belt guide before the trip check. The belt must not be twisted.
What do I have to keep in mind if I am taking more than one child with me?? Parent education
If more than one child is being transported, ensure that each child has a suitable child restraint system. This also applies to carpooling or when grandparents take the grandchild on an outing.
The mobility club not only regularly subjects child seats to rigorous testing. "t is at least as important whether the seats can be installed safely and as easily as possible in the car.
Do I have to carry a child seat in a cab or on an airplane?? Parent education
If you want to take a cab to the airport, it makes sense to book in advance. Although cab drivers in austria are exempt from the obligation to secure children, some companies nevertheless offer a child seat as a child-friendly service at the customer’s request. More information about child-friendly cab companies.
Transporting children on airplanes
According to EU regulations, children under two years of age sitting on their parents’ laps must be secured with an additional loop belt. It would also be sufficient to secure the child in its own seat with a suitable child safety system. From the age of two, the child requires its own seat. Some airlines provide child seats free of charge.
What are the penalties for incorrect securing?? Parent education
Incorrect childproofing is a pre-marking offense! The driver’s license registration system stipulates that violations of child safety regulations are punishable by an administrative fine of up to EUR 5.000,-) a note is also made in the driver’s license register. The second time a child is registered within two years, it is required to attend a course designed to raise awareness of the importance of proper child restraint systems. Further violations may even result in the revocation of the driver’s license.
booster seat: what am i allowed to do? Parent Education
Even if legally permissible, booster seats are not recommended, especially for small children. A child seat with a backrest is clearly preferable to a booster seat from a safety point of view. This is the only option that provides optimum protection for the pelvis, shoulder and head areas.
A booster seat can be installed in the car with either an isofix or a 3-point seat belt.
booster seats belong to weight groups 2 and 3. These models no longer have their own harness system – the child is usually strapped into the seat with the car’s 3-point belt.
The mobility club advises against booster seats for the following reasons:
- In our child seat tests, a booster seat without a backrest would fail with "not sufficient" because the seat cushion cannot sufficiently withstand a side crash.
- The side restraint is missing. In a seat with a backrest, the side bolsters prevent a child from hitting the window pane in a side impact.
- The adjustable backrest also has a belt guide for the shoulder belt, so the belt run can be perfectly adapted to the size of the child. A booster seat lacks a belt guide.
Is there a smoking ban in austria when children and adolescents ride in cars?? Parent education
The partial ban on smoking in cars has been in force since 1. May 2018, if there is at least one person under the age of 18 in the vehicle.
You can find all the information HERE