What you need to know about child safety seats
La primera vez que te enfrentas a la elección de una silla de seguridad para niños puede resultar abrumador. Normativas, características, tallas… Parece un mar de dudas. ¿Pero y si te dijera que existe una guía que aclara todas esas dudas y que te llevará de la mano para hacer una elección informada? ¡Sigue leyendo y descubre todo lo que necesitas saber!
The first time you face the choice of a child safety seat can be overwhelming. Regulations, features, sizes… It seems like a sea of doubts. But what if I told you there is a guide that clears up all those questions and will walk you through making an informed choice? Keep reading and discover everything you need to know!
Essential Features of Safety Seats
Roads are unpredictable, but what we can control is how we protect our little ones. Here are the essential features:
ECE r129 i size Regulation
This is the current standard regulating child car seats in Europe. It ensures the seat meets the most recent safety standards.
The ECE R129 / i-Size standard already present in many child restraint systems available in Europe, offers greater safety and protection, as it exceeds stricter tests, side impacts, etc. and allows its installation with anchorage systems (Isofix / Top Tether) or the car’s safety belts. Moreover, it extends the use rear-facing, which reduces the risk of injuries in babies, and classifies groups by size in centimeters, unlike the previous regulation that classifies them by weight in kilograms.
Child Safety Seats – Q Series
The Q series includes the Q0, Q1, Q1.5, Q3, Q3s, Q6, and Q10 models. Each model is based on the 50th percentile of children of their respective age. The Q-Dummies are used in safety tests based on the EuroNCAP impact test protocols to determine child occupant protection indices.
This new generation of dummies presents improved anthropometry, biomechanics, and kinematics, all key to better assessing the injury risk in child passengers of different ages and sizes.
If your seat is not yet compliant with the ECE R129 regulation, consider the following:
• As of September 1, 2024, all CRS approved under the ECE R44 regulation will no longer be for sale.
• ECE R44 child seats purchased before that date can continue to be used without issue until the end of their useful life.
• The i-Size R129 standard has proven to enhance the safety of the youngest with stricter approval tests, such as side-impact tests or the use of the latest generation Q dummies.
Child Restraint Systems
The restraint system is what keeps the child safe in case of an accident. It can be Isofix. The Isofix system uses direct anchorage points in the car, while belted seats use the car’s seatbelt.
Support Leg
This additional feature provides added stability to the seat and reduces movement in case of collision.
Choosing According to Age and Weight
The right restraint system depends on the child’s size and age:
Up to 15 months (or 105 cm)
Safety seats should be rear-facing. This position protects the baby’s head and neck in case of impact.
From 15 months to 4 years (up to 18 kg)
Although they can face forward, many experts recommend keeping the rear-facing orientation as long as possible.
From 4 to 12 years (from 15 to 36 kg or from 105 cm to 150 cm)
At this age, children can use Group II seats or boosters. These seats raise the child so that the car’s seatbelt fits correctly. It’s vital that the chair’s backrest protects their head and neck.
Important Note: Although the law allows children to stop using a seat when they are 1.35 meters tall, many experts recommend continuing until they reach 150 cm.
How to Ensure the Child is Secure?
Regardless of age or size, it’s vital that the child is properly secured. If using the car’s seatbelt, it should be tight and not twisted. If using the Isofix system, ensure all anchorage points are connected and secure.
Recommended Brands of Child Safety Seats
Choosing a trusted brand is vital for your child’s safety. ASEPRI promotes and connects buyers with quality brands that strictly comply with regulations.
BabyAuto
BabyAuto’s car seats have been carefully conceptualized, crafted, and subjected to rigorous tests to ensure optimal comfort and protection for babies in all types of vehicles. These seats are made using the highest quality materials, which have been selected for their superior impact resistance.
BabyAuto also participated in the Kind&Jugend event on September 7, 2023, an international event where more than 953 exhibitors presented brands of children’s products.
The child car safety sector continues to evolve, and from September 1, 2024, only child seats approved under the ECE R129 regulation, also known as i-Size, which definitively replaces the previous European ECE R44 standard. Therefore, as of September 1, 2023, the approval of new seats under the ECE R44 standard is no longer allowed.
BigToes
To ensure the company’s items truly meet parents’ expectations and requirements, BigToes’ team of expert parents meticulously evaluates them based on their personal caregiving experiences. Their commitment is to refine, modernize, and perfect each product, ensuring they respond to current demands.
Baby car seats, in their Raise catalog, are a specialty for BigToes. They focus on every detail to maximize comfort and safety.
In summary, protecting your little one in the car is a fundamental responsibility. But with the right information and an informed choice, you can ensure your child is safe on every trip. Child safety seats are not just a legal requirement but a crucial tool to give your child the protection they deserve.
If you need a recommendation to choose child safety seats or sell these types of children’s products and want to collaborate with us, ASEPRI would be delighted to help. Contact us without obligation!
