Frequently asked questions about children’s booster seatsSee also:-About car seats for older children -Checklist for use when buying or mounting car seats for older children What should I think about when buying a child booster seat?
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. 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. Are side airbags dangerous? There are no known cases of a child in a child booster seat being injured by a side airbag. Is it okay to use a second hand child booster seat? Yes, but bear the following in mind:
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. Child booster seats are always constructed to be forward-facing however. Ensure that you mount your booster seat facing to the front and not towards the rear. How safe is my car? 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. How should the seat belt be placed when using a child booster seat? The lap belt should be guided across the child’s thighs, away from its stomach. The shoulder belt should lie close to the child’s neck, across the chest and over the thigh. It is very important that the seat belt does not lie across the child’s stomach. Help the child to position the seat belt correctly. The closer the belt is positioned to the body, the better. Try to ease up thick clothes and position the seat belt under them. Is it hazardous to position the seat belt too close the child’s neck when sitting in a booster seat? The shoulder strap should be positioned close to the child’s neck, across the shoulder. There is no risk that this will cause injury to the child in the event of a collision. If the child feels it is uncomfortable, you can place something between the seat belt and the child’s neck. Under no circumstances should the shoulder strap be placed beneath the child’s arm. If it is, there is a greatly increased risk of injury in the event of a collision. In addition, the shoulder strap should never be placed across the arm instead of over the shoulder. Always read and follow the manual carefully. Is there any difference between two- and three-point seat belts when using a child booster seat? The risk of injury is doubled if you use the two-point belt in the middle of the back seat, by comparison with use of the three-point belt. Is it dangerous if the child falls asleep with its head hanging? No. This is not dangerous. It may be uncomfortable for the child, however. A rolled up towel or a small pillow may provide a more comfortable resting position for the child, and will also help keep the child’s head erect. 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 booster 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 booster 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 booster seat. See also: -About car seats for older children -Checklist for use when buying or mounting car seats for older children |
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