Safety seats for children have already become a self-evident part of the routine of traveling by car with children in recent years, however, many parents do not use the appropriate seat or do not buckle their child in a way that will protect them in the best possible way. A safety seat for a baby, toddler or child should match the age, weight, height and developmental needs of each child – which may differ between children of the same age. What is important to look for when it comes to safety devices for children?
Standards
It is important to use a safety seat approved by an official international standard (R129, ECER44 (– FMVSS 213. and by the Standards Institute). The last date for using the seat is usually indicated on a sticker on the seat, or in the instruction booklet. In the absence of an explicit instruction, it is recommended to stop using it after 10 years from the date Production. If the seat was involved in an accident in the vehicle, and there is doubt as to its integrity, it is recommended to contact the vehicle manufacturer.
Returned direction
The law requires that babies and toddlers up to the age of one be transported in a safety seat, so that they face the opposite direction of travel. Our recommendation: to drive toddlers in this way at least until the age of two, because this way a higher protection is achieved against injuries to the head, neck and spine during an accident.
Belt
The inner straps of the seat should be threaded into the slots at the height of the baby/toddler’s shoulders or below the height of the shoulders. It is important to make sure that the end of the baby’s or toddler’s head is at least 2.5 cm below the edge of the upper seat. There are safety seats that are suitable for traveling against the direction of travel only and two-way seats that allow belting both with the direction of travel and against the direction of travel.
Baby chair (photo: Southern District Spokesperson)
toddlers
With the progress in age and muscle control, the toddler can be transferred to a safety seat with the direction of travel. It is important to make sure that the upper edge of the seat is not lower than the upper ear line. The inner straps of the seat, where the toddler is strapped in, should be threaded into the slots at or above shoulder level. In many countries, the law requires a toddler to ride in a safety seat until the age of three, and then allows the use of a booster seat.
Anchoring the seat to the car and the toddler’s belt in the safety seat
It is important to anchor the safety seat according to the seat manufacturer’s instructions using the vehicle’s safety belts or the anchoring devices attached to the seat (lower anchors or isofix). An instruction booklet is attached to each seat, and the information is accessible on the networks and in instructional videos according to the brand name and model of the seat. The vehicle manufacturer’s instructions should be checked regarding the appropriate placement of safety seats, or the prohibition of installing a safety seat in a specified place in the vehicle. In any case, do not install a safety seat in front of an active airbag.
A rule of thumb for checking the correctness of the safety seat anchorage (which does not replace the manufacturer’s instructions) – check whether the seat can be moved from side to side when holding the lower area near the connection to the vehicle and make sure that it is not possible to move the seat more than 2.5 cm to each side.
The method of belting
The toddler must be strapped into the inner straps of the seat in such a way that they are flat and not twisted, and tight on his body, so that it is not possible to pinch them in the shoulder area and hold an excess of the strap between the fingers. If there is a plastic buckle that connects the two straps lengthwise – it should be placed at the level of the armpit.
Sleep while driving
Toddlers and children tend to fall asleep and drop their heads while driving. Many parents are bothered by this, and are looking for a solution that will keep their heads straight, and prevent them from being distracted while driving. For example, Nap up, which is approved by international standards, is easily installed using straps for most safety seats in their upper part, and the head guard is upright using a front strap. Tests in authorized laboratories show that this product gives an advantage during a frontal collision in protecting the head.
Car, winter, rain (Photo: Flash 90)
winter
When a baby or toddler is transported in a safety seat with inner straps it is important to remove the jacket before fastening it. A padded jacket may become compressed during an accident, so that the straps loosen – which may increase the risk of injury and even cause the baby/toddler to be thrown from the safety seat.
stages
It is recommended to leave the baby and toddler protected as much as possible in the safety seat, and not rush to ‘pass a stage’, and leave him protected in a safety seat with internal straps until he reaches the maximum height and weight, indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions.
Booster
Sitting in a booster seat, a booster requires the ability to restrain behavior, and it is important that the child does not bend forward and release the belt. Loosely wearing the seat belt may endanger the child during a collision, when he may be thrown in the gap between the belt and his body, or out of the seat. A booster seat is available on the market in the form of a low seat or a seat with a fixed or detachable backrest. It is recommended to prefer using a seat with a backrest.
Special Needs
When fitting a safety seat/restraint device for a child with special needs, it is important to match the height to the weight and developmental needs and to consult with the care team. You can contact the Center for Safe Travel for Children with Special Needs at Elin Hospital for advice.
* Zohar Filber, Occupational Therapist, OT MSw, Head of Assistive Technology and Director of MAIN (Aid Center for Children and Youth) and the Center for Safe Travel for Children with Special Needs at Elin Hospital. Certified Bracha safety instructor on behalf of the global organization Safe Kids.