How to install a baby seat

Car safety is perhaps one of the most important tasks that any vehicle designer must solve. If the car does not start and does not go, then only the plans of the person will suffer from this (not taking into account the calls of the ambulance, fire department or police). But if the car does not have seat belts, the seats are poorly secured, or other safety systems are faulty, then such vehicles cannot be used.

Particular attention must be paid to the safety of children. Firstly, because their skeleton has not yet formed properly, so they are more likely to get serious injuries and injuries, even with a minor accident. Secondly, the reaction of an adult is much higher than that of children. When a car is in an emergency, an adult is able to properly group and prevent serious injury.

For this reason, motorists are required to use child car seats, which increase the safety of the child while the car is moving. The laws of many countries provide for severe penalties for non-compliance with this regulation.

Let's figure out how to properly install a child car seat.

Classification of child car seats

Before we look at how to properly install a child car seat, you need to pay a little attention to what options are offered to motorists. Of all the products that provide additional protection for children while driving, four groups of seats are available:

1. Group 0+. Child's weight 0-13kg. This product is also called a car seat. It is intended for babies up to two years old, if their weight is within acceptable limits. Some strollers have a removable carrycot installed in the vehicle. The legislation of some countries, for example, in the States, obliges parents to purchase infant carriers when the mother is discharged from the hospital. These child seats are always installed against the movement of the car.
2. Group 0 + / 1. Child's weight up to 18kg. This category of chairs is considered universal, and parents can immediately buy it, since it is suitable even for three-year-old children, if their weight fits within the acceptable limits. Unlike the infant car seat, these seats have adjustable backrest tilt. Depending on the age of the child, it can be installed in a horizontal position (when the child is not yet able to sit) or the backrest can be raised at an angle of 90 degrees (acceptable for those children who can already sit with confidence). In the first case, the seat is installed as a car seat - against the movement of the car. In the second case, it is installed so that the child can see the road. Children are secured with five-point seat belts.
3. Group 1-2. The child's weight ranges from 9 to 25 kilograms. These car seats are designed for preschoolers. They provide for securing the child with a seat belt at five points of the seat. Such a chair is already slightly smaller in relation to the volume of the child, thanks to which a greater view opens up for him. It is installed in the direction of movement of the car.
4. Group 2-3. The child's weight ranges from 15 to 36 kilograms. Such a car seat is already intended for the oldest children who have not reached the height or age required by the law. The child is secured using the seat belts that are installed in the car. Retainers in such car seats perform an auxiliary function. The weight and inertia of the child are held by the standard belts.

📌Installing the child seat

Much has been said about how important it is to use a car seat when transporting children. In essence, this should become an integral part of the motorist, such as refueling the car or changing the oil.

At first glance, there is nothing complicated in installing a chair. At least that's what most drivers think. Of course, someone can do it the first time, but we suggest that everyone else familiarize themselves with the detailed and understandable instructions that we will describe in this article.

Before proceeding with the installation, we recommend that you inspect the interior of your car and make sure that it has special mounting devices to hold the seat. Note that they began to appear in most vehicles since 1999.

And one more important point, which I would like to say in the preface. Buying a child seat do not try to save. Instead, choose the device that provides maximum safety for the child, taking into account its anatomical features. Equally important is the proper installation and adjustment of the chair for your baby. Take this as seriously as possible, because the life and health of the child is in your hands, but here it’s better to “overdo it” than to “overdo it”.

📌 Where to install a car seat?

Most motorists install a car seat in the rear right seat. Moreover, drivers often move their seats back to make driving more comfortable, and if a child is sitting behind, this is problematic.

Scientists for a long time remained supporters of such a position that the safest place to install a child car seat is the rear left. This is explained by the fact that in times of danger the driver automatically turns the steering wheel so that he can save himself - the usual self-preservation instinct works here.

Recently, scientists from a specialized American university conducted a study that showed that the safest seat is the rear center. The numbers say the following: the rear seats are 60-86% safer than the front ones, and the safety of the rear center is 25% higher than the side rear seats.

Installation of a child seat facing the rear of the car

It is known that in infants the head is proportional to the body much larger than in adults, but the neck, on the contrary, is much weaker. In this regard, manufacturers strongly recommend installing an auto-chair for such kids against the direction of movement of the car, that is, head to the rear of the car. Please note that in this case, the chair needs to be adjusted so that the baby is in a reclining position.

Correct installation and adjustment of the device in the position facing back, maximally supports the neck in the event of an accident.

Please note that the car seat for categories of children 0 and 0+, that is, up to 13 kilograms, is recommended to be installed exclusively on the rear seats. If, due to certain circumstances, you are forced to place it next to the driver, be sure to turn off the appropriate airbags, as they can cause significant injuries to the baby.

Installation of a child seat facing the front of the car

When your child is a little older, the car seat can be turned according to the movement of the car, that is, so that his face is looking at the windshield.

Often, car owners seek to deploy a chair as early as possible. This desire is fully explained by the fact that looking ahead the child will be much more interesting, and accordingly his behavior will become less capricious.

It is very important not to rush this issue, since the safety of the baby depends on it. However, there is a second side to the coin - if the child has grown a lot, you need to see if the time has come to completely replace the car seat. If the baby’s weight is not critical, feel free to turn the device over.

Basic instructions for installing a baby carrier

Here are the basic rules for installing a baby carrier (baby chair):

1. Install the cradle in the opposite direction to the car (with your back to the front of the car). The front passenger airbag deactivates (if the cradle is mounted on the front seat).
2. Following the operating instructions (supplied with the cradle), fasten your seat belts. You should pay attention to the labels for fastening the chair (most often they are blue). These are places for threading belts to fix it. The transverse belt should fix the lower part of the cradle, and the diagonal one is threaded behind its back.
3. After fixing the child seat, check the backrest angle. This indicator should not be more than 45 degrees. In many models, there is a special indicator on the mount that allows you to determine the position of the back.
4. Secure the baby in the cradle with straps. It is important that the shoulder straps are located as low as possible, and the clamp is at the armpits.
5. To prevent seat belts from rubbing, use soft pads. Otherwise, the child will behave restlessly due to discomfort. If the belt buckle is not equipped with a backing, you can use a towel.
6. Adjust belt tightening. The child should not slip out from under them, but do not tighten them tightly. You can check the tightness by holding two fingers under the straps. If they pass, then the child will be comfortable during the trip.
7. Make sure that the air vents are facing away from the cradle.

📌 Ways and scheme of fastening

There are three options for installing car seats on the seat. All of them are safe and can be used by you. Before proceeding directly to the installation, we recommend that you read the instructions for your car and the car seat itself. So you get the maximum background information.

📌 Fastening with a three-point belt

Using the standard belt of your car, you can fix any type of car seat. It is worth considering that for groups “0” and “0+”, a three-point belt secures the chair only to the cabin, and the child himself is fastened with an internal five-point belt. In older groups, starting with “1”, the three-point belt fastens the child’s seat belt, while the chair itself is held in place by its own weight.

In modern car seats, manufacturers began to mark the places where the belt was passed in with color. Red if the device is mounted face-first and blue if it is facing back. This greatly simplifies the task of installing a chair. Please note that the belt must be guided through all the guides provided by the device.

It is also worth remembering that fastening with a standard car belt does not allow the chair to be rigidly fixed, but strong reeling is also impossible. If the play is more than 2 centimeters, everything will have to be done anew.

Installation manual

1. Position the front seat so that there is enough space to install a car seat. At the same time, make sure that there is enough space for the front-seated passenger.
2. Pull the standard car belt through all the holes provided for the car seat. As it was written above, colored marks carefully left by the manufacturer will help you with this.
3. When the belt is tightened in accordance with all instructions, snap it into the lock.
4. Check that the car seat does not hang. Suppose a backlash of not more than 2 centimeters.
5. Put the child in the car seat, having previously removed the internal seat belts. After - fasten all the locks.
6. Tighten the belts so that they do not twist anywhere and hold the baby tight.

Advantages and disadvantages

The unique advantage of this type of fastening can be attributed to versatility, because seat belts are in every car. It is also worth highlighting the favorable price and the fact that in this way the car seat can be installed on any seat.

There are also drawbacks to the fastening with a three-point belt, and considerable ones. At a minimum, it’s difficult and time consuming. Also, you have every chance to face a lack of a regular belt. But the main point is the lower level of child safety when comparing performance with Isofix and Latch.

📌 Isofix mount

The Isofix system provides better protection for the child due to rigid attachment to the car body, which is confirmed by appropriate crash tests from year to year. At the moment, most cars are equipped with such a system. It is the European standard for fastening car seats. Finding the Isofix mount on the car seat is quite simple - it is presented in the form of two brackets symmetrically located at the edges of the holding device.

Installation manual

1. Locate the Isofix mounting brackets under the seatback and remove the protective caps from them.
2. Pull the brackets out of the car seat to the desired length.
3. Insert the car seat into the guides and push until it clicks.
4. Lock the anchor belt and adjust the stubborn “leg”, if provided by your car seat.
5. Sit the child down and tighten the straps.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of Isofix are obvious:

• Such a system is quickly and easily installed in a car. It is virtually impossible to make a mistake.
• A rigid installation eliminates the "rolling out" of the car seat forward.
• Good child protection, which is confirmed by crash tests.

However, there are disadvantages to the system. In particular, we are talking about high cost and weight restrictions - not more than 18 kilograms. It is also worth considering that not all cars are equipped with Isofix. And the last moment - you can install car seats only on the rear side seats.

📌 LATCH Mount

If Isofix is ​​the European standard for fastening child seats, then Latch is its American "brother". Since 2002, this type of mount is a mandatory norm in the United States.

The key difference between Latch and Isofix is ​​that the former does not include a metal frame and brackets in the design of car seats. Accordingly, the weight of the devices is significantly reduced. Instead, it is fastened with strong straps fixed by carabiners to the brackets provided in the rear seat.

Installation manual

1. Find metal staples in your car. They are located at the junction of the back and seat.
2. Pull out the Latch straps that are fastened to the sides of the car seat by default.
3. Place the seat on the seat of the car where you plan to mount it and fasten the carabiners to the mounts.
4. Press the chair down and tighten the straps on both sides.
5. Throw the anchor belt over the back of the seat, pull and fasten to the bracket.
6. Try moving the car seat to make sure the fasteners are secure. The maximum allowable play is 1-2 cm.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of the mount is its softness, which protects the child from vibration. Latch chairs are much lighter than Isofix - by 2 or even 3 kilograms, and the maximum permissible weight, on the contrary, is higher - 29,6 kg versus 18 in Isofix. Child protection is reliable, as proven by crash tests.

Of the minuses, it is worth noting that in the CIS countries, cars with Latch systems are almost not represented. The cost of such mounts is quite high and there are no budget options. The geography of the installation is also limited - only on the side rear seats.

📌 How to fasten a child with seat belts?

When fixing a child in a car seat with safety belts, it is important to consider two rules:

• The diagonal belt should extend along the shoulder joint, but not along the arm or near the neck. Do not let it pass at hand or behind the back of a child.
• The transverse safety belt should tightly fix the baby's pelvis, not the stomach. This position of the belt will prevent damage to internal organs even with a small collision of the car.

These basic safety requirements apply not only to children, but also to adults.

📌 How to determine if a child can be fastened with a regular seat belt?

The physical development of children occurs in different ways, so at 13 years old a child’s height can be less than 150 centimeters and vice versa - at 11 years old he can already be above 150 cm. Determining whether it is possible to transport a child in the passenger seat and fasten it with an ordinary seat belt, it is necessary pay attention to its location in it. Children must:

• sit upright, leaning with your whole back on the back of a chair;
• get to the floor with your feet;
• did not slip under the belt;
• the transverse belt should be fixed at the hip level, and the diagonal - at the shoulder level.

The correct position of the child in the passenger seat

When a teenager is sitting in a passenger seat, his legs should not just reach the floor with his socks. It is important that during the movement the child can rest on his feet, leveling the inertial effect on him during a sharp change in the speed of the machine.

It is important for parents to make sure that their teenager is confidently sitting on the seat, fully leaning on the back. For safety, it is recommended to use a car seat until the child reaches the required height, even if by age he can sit without an additional device.

Wrong position of the child in the passenger seat

A child does not sit correctly in the passenger seat if:

• the back does not fully fit the back of the chair;
• legs do not reach the floor or the bend of the knee joint is on the edge of the seat;
• the diagonal belt runs close to the neck;
• the transverse belt runs through the stomach.

If you have at least one of these factors, it is imperative to install a child car seat.

📌 Rules and recommendations for the safety and placement of the child in the seat

Before putting the child in the car seat, make sure that all the latches of the device are normal and that there are no scuffs on the belts.

The kid should be firmly fixed in the chair to avoid his "throwing" in the corners. Just feel the measure so as not to “nail” it to the back. Remember that the child should be comfortable.

When planting the baby in the car seat, pay the bulk of attention to protecting the head.

If the car seat is installed in the front seat, be sure to turn off the airbags so that they do not injure the baby in the event of deployment. If they do not turn off, rearrange the chair to the back seat.

Common questions:

How to secure the child seat with straps? The seat anchors have slots for seat belts. It also indicates how to thread the belt through the hole. The blue arrow indicates the fixation of the seat against the direction of the car, and the red one - during installation in the direction of the car.

Can the child seat be placed in the front seat? Traffic regulations do not prohibit such an installation. The main thing is that the chair matches the height and age of the child. The airbag must be deactivated in the car. Studies have shown that children will be less injured if they sit in the back row.

At what age can you ride in the front seat? Different countries have their own amendments in this regard. For the CIS countries, the key rule is that a child should not be less than 12 years old, and his height should not be lower than 145cm.