Child restraint Systems
Children are sensitive people who trust us, adults, to take care of them safely.
And we, adults, do we respond to this trust?
To what extent is that we protect properly when transported by car?
Even on shorter trips, our children should ALWAYS be transported in an approved restraint system and appropriate to its size and weight (aka "chair") thereby creating conditions for a safe trip.
Let us remember that a collision at 50 km / h, for a child who is not properly protected, equivalent to a fall from a third floor.
We should explain to the smallest, from an early age, the importance of restraint systems for their protection in the event of an accident. As children tend to imitate adults, the example is fundamental - we must use our own ALWAYS restraint system, or the seat belt, whether in the front seats or in the rear.
And remember: the transport of children under the age of three years in cars not equipped with seat belts is forbidden.
Child Safety - up to 18 months
"The baby is very fragile neck and a large, heavy head (see" Why is the risk is higher in children") and therefore may suffer very serious injuries with great ease.
You should therefore always travel in a car seat facing backwards. Thus, in a frontal collision, the head, the neck and the child's back will be supported evenly across the seat. These chairs protect better than any other type of chair - in case of accident can save the lives of 9 out of 10 children.
Seats 0-13 kg (Group 0+)
Usually they are called "portable chairs" and are used always facing backward. They can be installed in the front seat or the back, using a 3-point belt. They may never be installed in a place that has an active frontal airbag.
Are the most suitable chairs for newborns and small infants, because these chairs the baby does not travel too right and goes well cozy and comfortable.
They are preferred over the baskets for cars where the child travels lying because the baskets, the baby is not well supported and most conflicts are transformed into lateral impact which are much more dangerous for the baby.
Seats 0-18 kg (Group 0 + / I)
Most of the children is too big for the seat 0-13 kg before reaching the 13 kg. When this happens it is necessary to move to a seat 0-18 kg turned back.
As earlier, the 0-18 kg chairs, are used in front or behind, a place with 3-point belt and without active frontal airbag. Used are always facing backward, because only in this position conveniently protect a child under 18 months.
Do not worry when the child begins to stamp their feet on the car seat or when you start having your legs slightly bent. This is not uncomfortable or unsafe. Continue to use the chair facing backwards - it is the safest protection.
The chairs 0-18 kg the child already travels completely seated, so these are not suitable for infants under 6-9 months.
And how do I see the child?
You can view a child traveling in the rear facing seat back without even distracted from your driving. To do this simply use a special mirror that is sold in childcare shops and some car brand dealers. This mirror is installed at the rear of the automobile and allows the driver can see the child in the mirror.
As the child also sees the parent (the driver), you can also go more peaceful and quiet.
Child Safety - after 18 months
The use of chairs is essential until the child is 1.5 m tall or 36 kg in weight, which usually takes place between 8 and 12 years old. Never fail to use a car seat too early - is endangering the child's life.
Travel facing the rear, until when?
Travel facing the rear is the best protection we can give our children, by that we must maintain this position until as late as possible - up to 2 years or 2 years and a half, is highly recommended. Unfortunately, with the chairs that exist in Portugal, this is not possible for all children.
At least until the child is 18 months, you should always travel facing backwards. Because of its fragile neck and the heavy weight and size of the head, just so it will be well protected.
Some chairs allow, in some cars, traveling with children rear-facing up to three years without any problem - this is the norm in countries such as Sweden (the country with the lowest mortality rate in Europe). Contact your brand of car to find out if one of these chairs for your car.
Seats 0-18 kg turned back (Group 0 + / I)
It's the same chair that your child has used before to be 18 months.
It is natural that the child has the feet to hit the car seat and legs slightly bent. This is not uncomfortable or unsafe. Use this seat facing backward until as late as possible - it is the safest protection.
Booster cushions (group III)
At 7 or 8 years can only use the booster cushion if the seat belt no longer disturb the child in the neck, but can also continue to use the seat 9-36 kg or 15-36 kg if it is high enough.
If your car does not have headrests in the back seat, you may want to continue using the full support chair so the child has neck protected in case of shock behind.
- Be sure to use a chair for support or booster cushion before the child is 1.5 m tall, 12 years and 36 kg - the only way the belt will be correctly placed in the bowl and not on the stomach.
Safety of Children - after 1.5m tall
Seat belts are designed for adults and so well only protect children when they have more than 1.5 m high.
Before the child is 1.5m tall, has a too small bowl and you can not sit in the car in the most correct way to good use of seat belts - How has small legs, she "slips" forward .
So if the child stop using the seat too soon, the seat belt will get you on the belly and neck. The protection will not be as good and, in the event of an accident, serious injury could result more easily.
The use of the belt under the arm or behind the back is also dangerous, because in case of an accident, the child's head can hit the inside of the car with ease and very high forces on its belly will be made.
The use of belt for all is also a good example for the younger ones. The use of seat belt anywhere in the car, whatever the distance traveled or practiced speed, is a habit that must be purchased, working, motivated and applauded.
In, APSI
www.apsi.org.pt