Remember the child seat

The provisions of the traffic rules oblige parents to purchase car seats for children. It must be correctly sized for the height and weight of the child, in accordance with the categories developed by the manufacturers, and adapted to the vehicle in which it will be used. However, just buying a car seat will not work. The parent must know how it should be used, installed and adjusted to ensure maximum safety for the child.

How to choose a car seat?

When choosing a car seat, parents most often look for information on the Internet - there are many opinions on choosing and buying a car seat. We turned to Jerzy Mrzyce, Head of Quality Assurance at stroller and car seat manufacturer Navington, for advice. Here are some expert tips:

• Before purchasing a seat, check the seat test results. Let's be guided not only by the opinion of friends, but also by hard facts and crash test documentation.
• The seat adjusts to the age, height and weight of the child. Group 0 and 0+ (child weight 0-13 kg) is intended for newborns and infants, group I for children 3-4 years old (child weight 9-18 kg), and for older children, a seat with an extension back, i.e. e. group II-III (child weight 15-36 kg).
• Let's not buy a used car seat. We are not sure if the seller concealed the information that the seat has invisible damage, was involved in a traffic accident or is too old.
• The car seat purchased must match the car seat. Before buying, you should try on the selected model on the car. If the seat wobbles sideways after assembly, look for another model.
• If the parents want to get rid of the damaged car seat, it cannot be sold! Even at the cost of losing several hundred zlotys, the health and life of another child cannot be endangered.

Sure

In addition to buying the right child seat, pay attention to where it will be installed. It is safest to carry a child in the center of the rear seat if it is equipped with a 3-point seat belt or an ISOFIX anchorage. If the center seat does not have a 3-point seat belt or ISOFIX, select a seat in the rear seat behind the passenger. A child sitting in this way is much better protected from head and spinal injuries. Each time the seat is installed in the vehicle, check that the straps are not too loose or twisted. It is also worth remembering the principle that the tighter the seat belts are fastened, the safer for the child. And finally, the most important rule. Even if the seat was involved in a minor collision, it must be replaced with a new one that will provide the child with full protection. It is also worth taking your foot off the gas, in an accident and at high speed, even the best car seats will not protect your child.