How to choose a children's car seat from 3 years?

To do in the modern world without a car is quite difficult. The presence of children in families should not become a reason hindering the active life position of parents. However, do not forget that the car - this is the comfort of movement, coupled with danger. Children's car seats help to create the safest possible conditions for finding small passengers in the car. It is very important to make the right choice and not rely only on the external attractiveness of this accessory.

The seat belts in the car cannot fix the child’s body, ensuring its protection. And if the child is in the car seat, then on the sides he is insured with special inserts, the head is at the level of the head restraint, the straps fix the body. All this contributes to protection against injury when creating an emergency.

In accordance with the height and weight of the child there are several groups of car seats.

• To group 0+ include models for transporting babies up to 13 kg with height up to 75 cm. They are mounted backwards. This position is recognized as the safest for this age.
• Group chairs 1 designed for children weighing up to 18 kg with growth up to 98 cm. These chairs are usually used up to the age of four. The straps have a five-point mounting system, providing high stability. These chairs are fixed facing forward, giving the small passenger the opportunity to observe the world around him.

• Children from three years and older designed chairs not lower than 2 groups. They are designed for transporting children weighing up to 25 kg with growth up to 120 cm. Their difference from group 1 is to regulate not only the back, but also the armrests. Fastening is carried out already by vehicle safety belts. One of the most popular models is Carmate Swingmoon. The features of this model include a three-position change in the backrest angle, headrest adjustment, the presence of a foot stand, the equipment of a five-point safety belt, a comfortable size that ensures a spacious child's position.

• Group 3 armchairs designed for children weighing from 15 to 36 kg with height up to 135 cm. One of the most sought-after models is Heyner Ergo, it is distinguished advantageously by a solid base, a stylish German design. Mounted design with a car belt. The constructions of this group are only conditionally called the chair, since it is just a seat-cushion (“booster”), it lifts the child and is fastened with a regular car strap passing through the middle of the shoulder, chest and hips.

• Chairs transformers group 1-2-3 the longest period can be used, while they are the least practical. Chairs of this model are used for children weighing from 3 to 36 kg (from infancy to 12 years). When using this model there are a number of restrictions, and they have insufficient comfort during long trips.

• It is preferable after 3 years to use the chair group 2/3 (for children weighing up to 36 kg and growing up to 130 cm). In this model, only the head restraint is adjustable, the position of the backrest does not change. Britax & Romer Kid II - one of the most popular models.The positive advantages of this model include low weight, the ability to adjust the seat tilt and armrest positions, the presence of a removable cover. This group includes the Britax & Romer AdvansaFix model.

With a high price, the latest model is characterized by reliability and durability, the ability to use for a long time. The chair has a three-position fixation of the back, 11 positions of the headrest, as well as a high comfortable depth, soft comfortable sidewalls, and a removable cover comes in the kit.

They are installed exclusively in the back seat with the location of the person in the direction of transport.

The built-in five-point belts are absent, since such belts in extreme situations cannot withstand the load of a child's weight that has increased with age. In the chairs of the group 2/3 of the child insures regular belt, located in the back seat, it is mounted on top of the child seat.

There is no adjustment of the angle of the back, there is no possibility of an inclined or horizontal position of the child to sleep. This is due to the large size of the seats, which cannot be located in such a position in a small space of the car and leave at the same time a comfortable space for the child’s legs.

The main functional characteristics of the car seats include protection from injury, the reliability of strengthening, the comfort of being in a chair, ease of maintenance, environmental friendliness of the materials used.

When choosing, follow these guidelines.

• To determine the group of the chair, find out the weight and height of the child.
• An indicator of high quality car seats is the presence of a certificate of quality, which receive models that have passed crash tests - tests that simulate an accident and check the safety of passengers. Get to know their results.
• Attention should be paid to the metal from which the product frame is made. Frameworks can be plastic or aluminum. Aluminum is more durable and provides greater safety. However, the price of aluminum is much more expensive.

• In the chairs of the 2/3 group, the fastening is carried out by the vehicle's straps, and they do not sit tightly enough, so when fixing, it is preferable to use special isofix or latch rigid fixation systems. They allow the child to easily get into the car seat.

• Pay attention to the width at the shoulders. Ideal when the width in this area is adjustable.
• Head restraints should be above head level. Headrest adjustment is carried out on height. The safest position: the height of the head restraint, when the belt coincides with the shoulder, and 2-3 cm from the edge of the chair to the top.
• It is recommended to have a stand for arms and legs.
• Car seat upholstery must be durable and reliable, as it needs to serve for several years. A positive factor is the air permeability of the upholstery.
• Removable covers and accessories are an important factor. For example, a removable cotton fabric cover is comfortable in the summer when children often sweat.

• Carefully study the labeling of the chair: in the labels, which are usually located on the back or bottom, information on certification and standards is given. Certification types will suggest the possibility of installing a car seat in a particular car:
  1. universal car seats fit almost all cars;
  2. semi-universal, supplemented by various supports, compatible with certain models listed in the list attached to the chair;
  3. special, having a special design and functionality, refer to specific models of vehicles.

• Perform a "fitting": check whether the length of the straps is adequate, that the device fits tightly against the seat. The amplitude of the oscillations of the fixed seat should not exceed 2 cm. And finally, put the baby in the car seat, study its psychological comfort while staying in this device.
• Make sure the warranty card is issued correctly.
• It is not recommended to buy used car seats. It is better to do this in specialized stores.

It is necessary to give preference to manufacturers that have positively recommended themselves in the international car seat market:

1. Germany - Kiddy, Recaro and Cybex;
2. Norway - BeSafe;
3. France - Nania Bebe and Confort;
4. Netherlands - Maxi Cosi;
5. Japan - Aprica;
6. Poland - Coletto;
7. joint German-English firm Britax-Romer.

Focusing on the family budget, especially the child and the car, parents make their choice. At the same time, it is necessary to realize that the car seat is an indispensable attribute of the car, preserving the life and health of young passengers.

How to choose a car seat group 2-3, see the video below.