Child safety seat

A child seat, also called retention device, is adapted to the small body size of children sitting area. Specifically, a seat for the safe transport of children in vehicles will depend mostly used to describe the features fastening systems for the seat and restraint system for the child, or at least increased the seating position of the child so that the place designated for the seat vehicle's seat belt is not on the neck runs along, but over his shoulder. Particularly important is the fact that the lap belt is "held " by the child seat and in the case of an accident can not slip up ( " submarining ").

• 3.1 car
• 3.2 Bicycle
• 3.3 Do

History

The company Storchenmuehle brought with the model " Nicki " the first child seat on the market. In 1993, the " child seat safety obligation " in Germany was decided.

Regulation in Germany

Motor vehicles

According to § 21 paragraph 1a Road Traffic Regulations ( Highway Code ) reasons, children under the age of twelve, which are smaller than 150 cm in motor vehicles on seats prescribed for the seat belts, only with restraint devices for children ( child seats ) are taken. Children who are younger than twelve years old, but at least 150 cm tall, may therefore be transported without a child, as children who are older than twelve but less than 150 cm. In the latter case the police but still recommends the use of a child seat to ensure the ideal fit guide of the seat belt.

Child seats must be officially approved and suitable. The official approval is given by the assignment according to ECE Regulation No. 44 to the manufacturer.

Since April 2008, those child seats may be used only, have been tested for ECE44/03 or higher. Whether this is the case, can be recognized by the first two digits of the eight digit registration number on the orange ECE seal of approval, because these show the audit version of. Begins with the number 00, 01 or 02, so the seat is out of date. In 03 or 04 of the seat is allowed, 03 is technically equivalent to 04.

Since the beginning of 2013 a new EU directive is planned, but the mandatory implementation period and the transition period is still unknown. Under this new rule, children may only be transported backwards the first 15 months of life. This new standard will replace the seat with ECE R 44- Seal.

Suitable child seats when the weight and size of the child are carried out accordingly. After ECE No. 44, a distinction is

• Class 0: up to a weight of 10 kg ( contrary to or transverse to the direction of running)
• Group 0 : ( running counter to the direction of travel) up to a weight of 13 kg
• Class 0 I: from birth to 18 kg ( against the direction of travel, or from 9 kg in direction of travel)
• Class I: 9-18 kg ( in or against the direction of travel )
• Class II: 15 to 25 kg ( mostly in the direction of travel )
• Class II -III: from 15 to 36 kg ( in driving direction)
• Class III: from 22 to 36 kg (only booster seat in the direction of travel )
• Class I-III from 9 to 36 kg

The weights given are maximum values ​​. An average built child grows in size much earlier out of the seat when it reaches the weight limit. The dummies in the standardization process are smaller and lighter than the maximum weight. So 0 is tested with a doll of 11 kg for example in the class.

Also on seats that are equipped with only a lap belt (eg, the middle seat in the back seat of many cars ) concerns the use of an increasing sense of the child seat. This is particularly important to ensure a booster seat with lateral support, otherwise the lap belt in the event of an accident can slip up. ( In adults, a child of the pelvic bone is so pronounced that a " hump " slip on the pelvic bone, the upward prevented in children these bumps has not yet pronounced on the pelvic bone. However, according to § 21 paragraph 1a sentence 3 Highway Code permitted from to transport the age of three without a child on such secured only with lap seat if other options for securing a child seat are exhausted (eg in the passenger seat ). , but this should be absolutely avoided.

The middle of the back seat is the safest place according to a study in the car for a child, because the extra space more protection in a side impact features as a child seat. The crash tests by ADAC and Stiftung Warentest have purposely not meaningful, because they only measure the acceleration forces on the child, but do not consider the intrusion of another vehicle in the interior. Child seats can be in the middle but not always secure because smaller vehicles there often have only a lap belt and Isofix mountings are available only at the side seats in the rule. But there are some who leave few child seats, the directed backwards also attach to the lap belt.

For child seats, which are mounted on the back seat rearward facing, easy to ascertain with the help of a baby car seat mirror, whether it is the child well.

The Insurers Accident Research ( UDV ) has to provide information and support for parents of children in the brochure secure in the car - develops advice, tips, ISOFIX and a 16 -minute video. In it for correct use of child safety seats are given.

Bicycles and Mopeds

On bicycles and mopeds children may be taken under seven years, only one of at least 16 years old person if a special seat ( car seat / bicycle) is available. In this version - either on the handlebars ( bicycle) or attached to the rack: - the feet of the children can not get into the spokes.

Regulation in Austria

Car

In Austria, all children who are less than 150 cm and under 14 years old must be secured with a child restraint system or a child booster seat. Children who reach a height of 150 cm in front of her 14th birthday, must be secured with an appropriate seat belt. Even children who are smaller, but 14 years of age or older, may be transported without a child, but here is recommended to use a booster seat until the child reaches the appropriate size.

Bicycle

Children under twelve must - without the threat of a criminal sanction - Since July 2011, the bicycle wear a helmet, even in a child seat or trailer.

Walking

On hikes to offer a back-pack. A most existing fold-out support allows to turn off the aluminum frame on the ground to enforce in the child or to care for - this manual backup is needed. The softest, lightest form is a sling, can be supported with the particularly small children in front of or behind the body. Behind the body, however, is much more dangerous, because the wearer does not have any way to protect the child in Stürzfall. You can use either the arms as a shield, even with their own body parts, such as Knees and elbows, make contact with the ground. A suitable device - a Kraxe - takes over these functions. Mostly textile seats come with a little reinforcement from without carrying frame.

Regulation in Switzerland

Since April 1, 2010, in Switzerland, a child seat for children under twelve years and up to a size of 150 cm,. Depending on the weight of the child must sit in a child seat or a special seat upholstered in a baby carrier. The corresponding devices have the security standards of the UN Convention in version 03 meet (UN -ECE, No. 44). Specifying this can be found on the label of all child seats. The older versions 01 and 02 may no longer be used since 1 April 2010.

Regulation in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands under Article 59 No. 1 Regulations verkeersregels s verkeerstekens 1990 ( RVV 1990), a child seat for persons under 18 who are less than 135 cm, duty.

Settlement in the United States of America

The rules for securing children in cars vary from state to state in the United States. In some states, children are allowed to ride as early as four years without a child, and in others, a child booster seat is mandatory until the age of nine years. From U.S. authorities, but it is recommended that children less than 4 ' 9 " ( 145 cm ), should be secured with a child safety seat. Basically is also advised to carry out the so-called five-step test with the child (without booster seat ): Firstly, the knee of the child should be in an upright sitting up to the seat edge, and the feet should touch the ground, otherwise the seats for the child uncomfortable, and it slides further forward, making the adult harnesses for the child even more dangerous. The shoulder belt should extend exactly over your shoulder and do not scratch on the neck, and the lap belt should not lie directly on the abdomen. In addition, the child must be able to sit as comfortable for an extended period. Should not apply one of these five points, it is advisable to use regardless of the size and age of the child necessarily a booster seat.

Regulation in France

Until her third birthday, babies and toddlers have to sit in a suitable weight for the seat or carrycot. Regardless of the vehicle ( passenger cars, trucks, etc. ), either on the front ( only if the passenger airbag is deactivated) or back.

Regulation in Belgium

For children less than 135 cm, there is a child safety seat regulations. In older cars where no seat is available, children less than 135 cm must not be transported.

Sanctions

In Germany Who carries a child without any fuse in the car, threatened with a fine of 40 euros and a point. Without or not approved child seat of the ECE test standards 44/ 00, ECE 44/ 01 or ECE 44/ 02, but with belt, threatened with a warning of money 30 euros. In case of damage and can be alleviated by the insurance claim services.

If a rear-facing infant car seat used despite airbag activated in the passenger seat, facing a caution fee of 25 euros. If there is no special alert, so 5 euro caution money will be raised.

In Austria threatens sellers of child seats that do not meet the safety standards, a fine of 5000 €. This also applies to private sales.

Three child seats in the rear

Three child seats next to each other are often easily mounted on vehicles equipped with individual seats. Modern and secure child seats have become broader and can usually only be fixed with a three point seat belt. Even if the rear seat is wide enough so often makes the shape of the back seat with a big hump in the middle or pronounced backrests and cushions covered in buckles the mounting of three child seats in the rear impossible.

In March 2007, the magazine Auto-Bild has checked 152 cars, with the result that can be mounted next to each other three seats easily in just 21 cars, with a further 29 fit three child seats just on the back seat and were difficult to assemble.

In the selection of child seats must therefore be made ​​to Gurtausrüstung and space consideration. In the ADAC Autotest judged as one of the few testers regularly visit the children's safety the maximum number of seats to be mounted. In addition, the Touring Club Switzerland publishes an overview of how well current models are suitable for 3 child seats. Note that on some vehicles, although three child seats can be installed in the 2nd row of seats, it is not approved in the instruction manual (eg Opel Zafira Tourer, Mitsubishi ASX).