When should you choose a swivel seat? How do 360 car seats work?
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There are more and more car seats with a swivel seat on the market. They can be rotated even 360 degrees. What is their purpose and what is their mechanism of action? Is this a safe solution? Are they suitable for every car? We will try to dispel doubts.
Swivel seat - comfortable for parents, safe for the child
The arrival of a new family member is accompanied by a number of changes. Not only the way of life of parents is transformed, but also their environment. They discuss in detail how to equip the nursery, what kind of stroller and bath to buy - the most important thing is that the baby feels at home as best as possible. Equally important is travel comfort. While driving, the driver must focus on the direction of travel. At the same time, in such a situation, the parent wants to be sure that the child is completely safe. This is why choosing the right car seat is so important. More and more parents decide to buy swivel car seat. Why? This innovative seat combines the features of a classic seat with a swivel base that allows it to rotate from 90 to 360 degrees. This allows the child to be transported both forward and backward without having to attach it back.
Parents may be skeptical swivel car seat does not jump out of the base and does not roll over? Contrary to their fears, this is not impossible. The characteristic locking sound when the seat is turned proves that everything is working as it should and the seat is correctly adjusted to the vehicle.
What to look for when choosing a swivel car seat?
The decision on which swivel seat to choose depends on the weight of the child on the one hand and the type of car on the other. The cars are different, they have different seat and back angles. This means that a more expensive car seat may not be right for you! The most important thing is that it is well suited to your needs.
First, measure and weigh your child. The most common weight categories are 0-13 kg, 9-18 and 15-36 kg. Universal car seats from 0 to 36 kg are also available on the market, designed for parents who want to save time and money. Adjusting the backrest and the position of the headrest will allow you to adjust the seat to the changing figure of the child. Once you know his weight and height, take a look at the seat crash test results. The most popular of these is the ADAC test (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club), a German organization that was the first to test child seats. The safety of the seats is checked by subjecting the dummy to the stresses that occur in the event of an accident. In addition, the usability and ergonomics of the seat, chemical composition and cleaning are evaluated. Note: unlike the school grading system we know, in the case of the ADAC test, the lower the number, the better the result!
Read more about this in our article: ADAC test - rating of the best and safest car seats according to ADAC.
One of the most sought-after models on the market boasts good scores in the ADAC test - Cybex Sirona S i-Size 360 Degree Swivel Seat. The seat mounts rearward facing and its biggest advantages include very good side protection (high sidewalls and padded headrest) and one of the largest sags in a rear mounted seat using the ISOFIX system. Buyers are also attracted by an attractive design - the model is available in several colors.
ISOFIX - 360 place total attachment system
Belts are a very important criterion for choosing a swivel seat. In children, the pelvic and hip joints are poorly developed. This means that for the first and second weight categories, five-point seat belts are needed. They hold the child firmly so that he does not move in the chair. The choice of harness also depends on whether you have an ISOFIX system. It is worth having it, because, firstly, it facilitates assembly, and secondly, it increases the stability of the seat. For ISOFIX 360-degree swivel seats, this is mandatory as there are currently no swivel models that can be installed without this system.
Today, many cars are already equipped with ISOFIX, because in 2011 the European Union issued an order to use it in every new model. It is an internationally standardized system that allows all parents to install child seats in their cars in the same simple and intuitive way. This ensures that the seat is securely fixed to the ground. This is important because improper installation increases the risk of a child's life in an accident.
Swivel car seat - is it i-Size compliant? Check it!
In July 2013, new rules for transporting children under 15 months in car seats appeared in Europe. This is the i-Size standard, according to which:
- children under the age of 15 months must be transported facing the direction of travel,
- the seat should be adjusted according to the height of the child, not the weight,
- increased protection of the neck and head of the child,
- ISOFIX is required to ensure the correct fit of the seat.
Manufacturers compete not only to meet the requirements of the i-Size standard, but also to provide maximum safety and driving comfort. Pay attention to the model available in the AvtoTachki store offer Britax Romer, Dualfix 2R RWF. An integrated anti-rotation frame allows the seat to be adapted to most car sofas. The seat is designed in such a way that the child is protected as much as possible in the event of an accident. The SICT side impact protection system neutralizes the force of an impact, reducing the distance between the seat and the vehicle interior. ISOFIX with Pivot-Link directs the resulting energy downward to minimize the risk of injury to the child's spine. The adjustable headrest is equipped with a 5-point safety harness.
How to transport the little ones in swivel car seats?
Traveling backwards is the healthiest for children under the age of four. The bone structure of babies is delicate, and the muscles and neck are not yet sufficiently developed to absorb the impact in the event of an accident. The traditional seat is forward facing and does not provide as good protection as swivel seatwhich is installed facing backwards. This is not the only advantage. With this arrangement, it is much easier to put a child in a chair. The seat can be rotated towards the door and the seat belts can be easily fastened. This is even more helpful if your little one fidgets. Parents or grandparents do not strain the spine and do not lose nerves unnecessarily.
In an emergency, this model also allows you to position the seat in front, next to the driver. By law, this should only be done in an emergency, using an airbag. The ability to rotate the seat also makes it much easier for you to fasten your seat belts – we get better visibility and more freedom of movement.
More articles about accessories for children can be found in guidebooks in the "Baby and Mom" section.
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