Frequently asked questions about toddler car seatsSee also:-About toddler car seats -Checklists when buying or mounting toddler car seats What should I think about when buying a toddler car seat?
The Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) and the Swedish insurance company Folksam recommend that toddler car seats be mounted in the front passenger seat facing backwards when the driver is the only adult in the car. The VTI has noted that some of the accidents registered have occurred because drivers have turned their heads to check on a child placed in an infant car seat in the rear of the car, and have then driven off the road. If you are the only adult in the car, then, it is safest to mount the toddler car seat in the front passenger seat. If there are two or more adults in the car, it is safest to mount the toddler car seat in the rear with an adult sat next to it. In the event of a head-on collision, the child is somewhat safer in a toddler car seat mounted in the rear. It is also easier for the driver to maintain focus when another adult is responsible for supervising the child. If you decide to mount the toddler car seat in the front passenger seat, always ensure that the airbag is deactivated. Toddler car seats should be mounted as near to upright as possible. This is so that the child’s head is afforded as much horizontal support as possible in the event of an accident. Is the airbag deactivated? The answer to this question is yes, if the airbag was deactivated by an authorized salesman of your car model. Some cars are fitted with a manual airbag switch, which you can yourself use to activate and deactivate the airbag. The airbag switch is reliable, but there is a risk for the human factor – i.e. leaving the airbag turned on when it should have been turned off. Try not to use the switch to activate and deactivate the airbag too often. Are side airbags dangerous? There are no known cases of a child in a toddler car seat being injured by a side airbag. Why are airbags hazardous to children? Airbags are constructed for persons taller than 140 cm. If a person is shorter than this, the airbag may lead to injury. When an airbag explodes, it does so with enormous force. The shell that opens when the airbag fills with air may hit the child. Children should never sit in the front passenger seat with an activated airbag. Children that are slightly taller than 140 cm may sit there, but it is important to make sure that the passenger seat is placed as far from the dashboard as possible. Infant car seats and toddler car seats should never be mounted in the front passenger seat with an activated airbag. If you do deactivate the airbag manually, it is of utmost importance that the airbag is reactivated when an adult sits in the front passenger seat. When should children begin to sit in booster seats? Children should sit facing backwards in the car for as long as possible, and at least until they are four years old. As long as you are using a toddler car seat, the child should be facing backwards. In the event of a head-on collision, children sitting in toddler seats facing to the rear run a lower risk of head or neck injuries than children in forward-facing toddler seats. Booster seats for older children are always constructed to be forward-facing however. Ensure that you mount your booster seat facing to the front and not towards the rear. Is it okay to use a second hand toddler car seat?
The safety standard of a given car is naturally very important, both for adults and children. It is particularly important in the case of smaller cars, since safety standards vary a great deal within this group of vehicles. If you travel in a small car with the lowest safety standard, for example, the risk of being killed or maimed is six times greater than that associated with travel in the safest small car. Follow these links to check the safety standard of your car. The report “How safe is your car?” published by the Swedish insurance company Folksam analyses real-life accidents: The Folksam list of real-life accidents Euro NCAP’s own car collision and safety tests. They also present a special child-safety car test: Euro NCAP’s car collision and safety tests Recommended safety rules for car travel Travelling in a car is one of the most risky things you can do. It is therefore recommended that you apply a number of safety rules when travelling with children in the car. Here are some suggestions:
Booster seats for older children are often approved for use by children who have reached a weight of 15 kg. However, small children can slip out of a booster seat if they fall asleep. A toddler car seat should therefore be used for as long as possible. In addition, the child must be placed facing forwards in a booster seat, which is less safe for the child than being placed in a rear-facing toddler seat. What can I do if the child can’t stretch its legs when sitting in the infant car seat? From a safety perspective, there is no danger associated with a child travelling with bent legs. Nor is it common for children to complain of discomfort as a result. It is rather we adults who think it looks uncomfortable. Are there differences in safety levels between toddler car seats with different internal seat belt arrangements? There are a number of studies that have found no difference between toddler car seats with three, four or five internal seat belt straps. The most important factor is that the internal seat belt lies across the child’s hip and not across its stomach. If the child moves about a lot in the toddler seat, toddler seats with four or five straps may be better at keeping the child in place than toddler seats with only three internal seat belt straps. Is it dangerous if the child fells asleep in the youth booster child car seat with its head hanging? No, it is not dangerous. But it can be uncomfortable for the child. With a rolled up towel or a small pillow, you make it more comfortable and also keep the head straight up. How safe are minibuses? In the studies published by the Swedish insurance company Folksam, minibuses appear to be relatively safe. The safety standard of minibuses varies a great deal between different models, however. The safest minibuses are as safe as the safest cars. Older minibuses with a short front-end are generally less safe than newer minibuses. Is it okay to sew a new cover for the toddler car seat? No, turn instead to a child safety store and purchase a new one. It is important that the seat cover is the one intended for the seat in question. The material from which these seat covers are made is not only fireproof but also meets a number of other safety requirements. If you plan to purchase a second-hand toddler car seat, and to replace the cover with a new one, check the price of the cover first to make sure it isn’t cheaper simply to buy a new toddler car seat. See also: -About toddler car seats -Checklists when buying or mounting toddler car seats |
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