Car Seat - rating

Legislation of many countries forbids the transportation of children without special restraints. But even if there is no such prohibition, parents are interested in ensuring that during the troubles that happen on the roads constantly, the child does not suffer. Normal belts in this situation are bad. The only way out is a car seat, the rating of which is quite high. The article will discuss which chair is better and why.

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Some thoughts about the value of

Car manufacturers offer their customers a lot of child restraints at very different prices. In any car dealer you will find very cheap Chinese products, and reliable devices from reputable manufacturers with a worldwide reputation. Great temptation to save, but is it worth it?

I usually do not want to think about accidents on the road, but still, considering money, remember that an armchair can save the life of your baby, and this is more expensive than several thousand rubles. A good device that meets all international safety standards can not be very cheap. But if you want, you can find a medium-priced model that will not be inferior to premium products. If such a product as a child car seat, the rating is high enough, then - it is as high as the safety standards.

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What is the safety standard?

Now let's figure out what is the safety standard, which on quality products is labeled as ECE R44 / 04.This standard was developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe specifically for child restraints. The document came into force in 2009.

Important! Compliance with this certificate is mandatory for all devices in which children are transported. Otherwise - the car seat simply does not fall on the counter. The certificate itself is orange, and the letters and numbers are inside the circle.

If the product is certified, it means that:

• It is accompanied by an instruction that is understandable even to an illiterate person who is not too versed in technology.
• There is also a guarantee that the item is fully equipped, a diagonal strap lock is attached to it. The mechanism should be such that it automatically adjusts the tension force.

Important! Orange certificate - the first thing you should ask in the store.

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What is a crash test?

To determine if the restraining device meets international standards, and to assess its performance, special tests are conducted.

What guarantees a crash test?

Such testing is carried out by any child car seat, the safety rating is determined exactly by the test results. They show:

• that the child will not fall out if the car turns over;
• that the head deviates no more than 30 cm;
• that the chair does not fall apart at impact;
• that all parts, including buckles, remain in place;
• that the locking system is reasonably reliable;
• that the straps do not move more than 3 cm.

Important! Crash test - this is not one action, but a series of tests. Car manufacturers, independent expert groups, authoritative autoclubs and other organizations having the appropriate license and the necessary equipment conduct them.

certification companies Armchair manufacturers and representatives of trade networks are considered with the opinion of organizations such as ADAC, ÖAMTC, or TCS auto clubs.

The most popular and reliable car seat ratings are ADAC.Experts find out not only the level of safety in direct and side impacts, but also other parameters:

• ergonomics;
• the quality of materials and the content of harmful or hazardous substances in them;
• level of comfort.

How does the crash test work?

• Dummies are used for testing, on which special sensors of high sensitivity are installed.
• Crash tests are conducted on special equipment capable of simulating a real road situation - for example, a collision.
• Experts carefully study both the movements of the dummy and the readings of the instruments, after which it is concluded whether this or that product conforms to safety standards.

According to the results of crash tests, reports are published - car seat ratings. Before going to the store it is useful to get acquainted with their results.

Important! Seat belts are tested for the following parameters:

• matching tension force;
• resistance to temperature changes;
• resistance to ultraviolet radiation;
• resistance to abrasive substances;
• possibility to open the buckle with a force of 40-60 N in the absence of loading;
• when loading - the ability to open the buckle with a force of 80 N;
• compliance of slip and offset regulations.

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Car seat groups

If you look in the rating of the children's armchairs, do not forget to make sure that the model you are interested in corresponds to the age, height and weight of your child. All child restraints are divided into groups by weight and by approximate age:

• 0/0 +;
• 0 + / 1;
• 1;
• 0 /1/ 2;
• ½;
• 2/3;
• 1 /2/ 3;
• 3.

Important! For children of different ages, products of different strengths are needed, and this, in turn, depends on the material of the chair, and the fixation system, and the width of the belts:

• for groups from 0 to 1, straps of at least 25 mm are needed;
• for 2 and 3 - not less than 38;
• in the rest of the seats use belts with a width of about 30 mm.

For the smallest

If you see the marking 0/0 +, this means that the device is designed for the baby from birth to a year, weighing not more than 13 kg.

Important! As a rule, such markings are not car seats, but car parks or transformers.

But there are other options:

• For breasts, another device, designated as 0 + / 1, is suitable. In this armchair you can carry it for up to four years - at least until it reaches a weight of 18 kg.
• A nine-month-old baby, if he weighs at least 9 kg, can already be put in the chair of group 1, and carry in it until the age of four.
• Even better, if you see the marking 0 /1/ 2 - such a product-transformer is suitable for both the baby and the older preschooler. It can be used both as a cradle and as an armchair. A young traveler can weigh from 0 to 25 kg.

Universal chairs:

• Not a bad option - transformer 1/2.In this you can roll and nine-month crumbs weighing 9 kg, and a first-grader who has already recovered to 25 kg.
• Armchairs with marking 2/3 are made for children from 3 to 12 years. They ensure the safety of those who weigh from 15 to 36 kg.
• Finally, group 3 - products for schoolchildren from 7 to 12 years. The passenger must weigh no less than 25 and not more than 36 kg.

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Car seat, chair or booster

On sale you can find several types of restraint devices:

• autolock;
• Booster;
• chair.

What is the difference:

• In the car park the baby lies. For a newborn this is very convenient. This device is fixed to the seat with the help of special belts.
• Booster - this is an additional seat without a backrest, which is put on the main. The kid sits high, his position is fixed by an ordinary seat belt. Unfortunately, such a device does not protect against side impact. The booster is not suitable for very young passengers - it can only be used for a child who weighs at least 25 kg.
• Car seat provides the most reliable protection. If you want the device to serve several, choose a transformer that is suitable for both the baby and the younger preschooler.

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Which criteria should I choose?

No self-respecting manufacturer will ever write anything like "car seat 0 rating."Everyone wants to prove that it is his products that are the best. But experts and buyers do not always agree with this.

Important! Even a product that has passed all the necessary tests and has a safety certificate may not be very convenient for your child.

International organizations have done almost everything for you: the armchair meets the standards, is made of safe materials.

You have already decided how old your toddler will use the chair, so it remains to look at such features:

• quality of materials;
• possibility of washing;
• weight;
• simplicity and reliability of installation;
• if necessary - the presence of a tab for the newborn;
• good design;
• additional accessories - awning, pocket on the back, etc.

Important! The material should be soft and pleasant to the touch. In addition, any children's thing should be kept clean, so it is very important that the cover can be washed. Orthopedic tab allows the child to lie comfortably.

Two words about fasteners

Modern fasteners serve to ensure that even the most inexperienced father can easily install a chair, and it would not fall off at the first turn. The best option is "Isofix".The chair is placed on the sliding skids and fixed with special locks to the metal hinges fixed on the car body.

Important! Such a device is simply impossible to put incorrectly.

Pleasant trifles

There are things that are optional, but pleasant. If the device is equipped with an awning, you do not have to think if the sun prevents your baby from sleeping. In the pocket on the back you can put all sorts of little things that should always be at hand.

Weight

The car seat is not always in the car - it must be transported from time to time, so it is better if it is easy. This is especially important for lyulyok and transformers, because the asleep on the road baby can be, especially without straining, bring in the apartment.

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The best car seats for crash tests

If you have already decided on your criteria, you will probably find it easier to make your choice based on the rating of car seats. It is a short review of the most popular models we will offer you further.

CBX by Cybex Free Fix

In the tests of the last two years, German and Dutch firms are firmly in the lead."Tournament table", with several solid organizations, is headed by the German CBX by Cybex Free Fix restraint for children from 4 to 12 years old.

This model receives the highest scores for several years:

• The chair reliably protects the baby from frontal and side impacts.
• In addition, the backrest is designed so that the baby is not too cold or too hot - thanks to special holes, the optimal microclimate is maintained.
• The product is lightweight, weighs only about five kilograms.

Important! There is no lying position, but this model is also relatively inexpensive.

Maxi-Cosi Pebble

This company produces the most popular baby car seats from 0 to 18 kg.

Model Maxi-Cosi Pebble, designed for children lighter than 13 kg, according to the results of 2016-2017 scored high scores almost all experts, despite the fact that it was developed more than ten years ago:

• The device is comfortable, made of pleasant to the touch cloth,decorated with elegant embroidery.
• The straps have soft shoulder pads.
• This armchair can be fastened with standard belts, and with the help of a special base.
• It is installed easily and reliably.

Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix

This is another worthy car seat in the ranking of the best models. It is intended for newborns. One of the leaders of 2016 - in all respects the armchair received excellent marks:

• One of the bonuses is a special orthopedic insert that allows the child to feel comfortable in a lying position.
• There is a side protection system.
• The armchair is quite light, weighs less than five kilograms, and is equipped with a comfortable carrying handle.

Recaro Privia

The model-transformer from the German company Recaro meets the most stringent criteria. It is convenient, and in the ratings of the car seats of the last five years stably takes one of the leading positions:

• There are soft pads under the shoulders.
• Handles can be placed in three positions.
• Such a device weighs less than four kilograms, so if a child falls asleep during the trip, there is no need to wake him up - you can just move home in an armchair, which in this case is used as a carry-over.

In this article, we revealed to you what the concept of crash test and other certification options mean when manufacturing car seats. We hope you were able to choose the best car seat, possibly from our rating, for your child, and even a trip with a random accident will be safe for him.