An infant safety seat, also known as a child safety seat, a child restraint system, a restraint car seat, and, ambiguously, commonly known as a car seat, is a restraint which is secured to the seat of an automobile equipped with safety harnesses to hold an infant or small stature people in the event of a car crash.
Baby car seats are legally required in many countries to safely transport children up to the age of 2 or more years in cars and other vehicles.
Other car seats are required up to the age of 6 or 7, such as the booster seat.
Generally, countries that regulate passenger safety have child safety laws that require that the child must be restrained depending on their age and weight. These regulations and standards are often minimums and with each graduation to the next kind of safety seat, there is a step down in the amount of protection a child has in a collision[1]. Some countries, such as Australia, forbid rear-facing child seats in a front seat that has an airbag. A rear-facing infant restraint put in the front seat of a vehicle places an infant's head close to the airbag, which can cause severe head injuries or death if the airbag deploys. Some modern cars include a switch to disable the front passenger airbag in case a child-supporting seat is used there.
In 2003, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggested that infants “should spend minimal time in car seats (when not a passenger in a vehicle) or other seating that maintains supine positioning” to avoid developing positional plagiocephaly ("flat head syndrome").[2]
In 1990, the ISO standard ISOFix[3] was launched in an attempt to provide a standard for fixing car seats into different makes of car. The standard now includes a top tether; the U.S. version of this system is called LATCH. Generally, ISOFIX system can be used with Groups 0, 0+ and 1.
There are several types of car seat depending on the position of the child and size of the seat. The United Nations standard ECE R44/04[4] categorises these into 4 groups: 0-3. Many car seats combine the larger groups 1, 2 and 3. Some new car models includes stock restraint seats by default.
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Group 0 baby seats or infant carriers keep the baby in a rear-facing position and are secured in place by a standard adult seat belt and/or an ISOFix fitting.
Group 0 carrycots hold the baby laying on its back.
Carrycots are secured by both seat belts in the rear seat of the car. Both types have handles to allow them to be easily moved in to and out of the car.
'Carry cot' means a restraint system intended to accommodate and restrain the child in a supine or prone position with the child's spine perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the vehicle. It is so designed as to distribute the restraining forces over the child's head and body excluding its limbs in the event of a collision. It must be put on the rear seat of the car.
Carrycots generally includes a stomach belt and a connecting to the (three points) safety belt.
'Infant carrier' means a restraint system intended to accommodate the child in a rearward-facing semi-recumbent position. It is so designed as to distribute the restraining forces over the child's head and body excluding its limbs in the event of the frontal collision.
For young infants, the seat used is an infant carrier with typical weight recommendations of 5-20 lb. Most infant seats made in the US can now be used to at least 22 lb and 29 inches and some can go to 35 lbs. In the past most infant seats in the US went to 20 lb and 26 inches. Infant carriers are often also called "Bucket Seats" as they resemble a bucket with a handle. Some (but not all) seats can be used with the base secured, or with the carrier strapped in alone. Some seats do not have bases. Infant carriers are mounted rear-facing, and are designed to "cocoon" against the back of the vehicle seat in the event of a collision, with the impact being absorbed in the outer shell of the restraint. Rear-facing seats are deemed the safest, and in the US, children must remain in this position until at they are least 1 year of age and at least 20 pounds.
Commonly have a chassis permanently fixed into the car by an adult seat belt and can be placed into a pushchair using the integral handle. Rear-facing child seats are inherently safer than forward-facing child seats, because they provide more support for the child's head in the event of a sudden deceleration.[3] Although some parents are eager to switch to a forward-facing child seat because it seems more "grown up," various countries and car seat manufacturers recommend that children continue to use a rear-facing child seat for as long as physically possible.[5][6]
Convertible seats can be used throughout many stages. Many convertible seats will transition from a rear facing seat, to a forward facing seat, and some then can be used as a booster seat. Many convertible seats allow for 5-35 lb. rear-facing, allowing you to keep your child in the safer rear-facing position up to 35 pounds.
Convertible safety seats can be installed either rear facing or forward facing. There is a large selection available to choose from and weight limits, height limits and extra features vary from seat to seat and by manufacturer. Seats with a 5-point harness are considered safer than those with an overhead shield [4]
Convertibles aren't considered the best choice for a newborn because the bottom harness slots are often above the shoulders on most newborns. If you want to use a convertible from birth choose a seat with low bottom harness slots. [5]
Rear facing weight limits range from 20 lb (9 kg) to 35 lb depending on the manufacturer and country of origin. Forward facing limits range from 17.6 lb (8 kg) to 65 lb depending on the seat model and the manufacturer and country of origin.
Most convertible seats in the USA have at least a 30 lb rear facing weight limit, most now to go to 35 lbs, some 40 lbs, and a few 45. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children remain rear-facing until they outgrow their convertible seat, regardless of how old they are. You should continue to leave your children rear-facing until they have either outgrown the weight limit for their seat, or the top of their head is within an inch of the top of the shell of the carseat.
[6] Car seats are very safe and reliable
A permanent fixture in the car using an adult seat belt to hold it in place and a five-point baby harness to hold the infant.
It is recommended that children sit rear facing for as long as possible. In Scandinavian countries, for example, children sit rear facing until around 4 years old. Rear facing car seats are significantly safer in frontal collisions which are the most likely to cause severe injury and death.[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] Rear facing group 1 car seats are becoming more widespread but are still difficult to source in many countries.
A larger seat than the Group 1 design, these seats use an adult seat belt to hold the child in place.
Also known as booster seats, these position the child so that the adult seat belt is held in the correct position for safety and comfort.
Booster seats are recommended for children until they are big enough to properly fit a seat belt. Seat belts are engineered for adults, thus being too big for small children. In the United States, for children under the age of 4 and/or under 40 lb, a seat with a 5-point harness instead of a booster seat is suggested.[18]
Booster seats "boost" the child and allow the seat belt to sit firmly across the collar bone and chest, with the lap portion fitted to the hips. If the seat belt is not across the collar bone and the hips, it will ride across the neck and the stomach, causing internal damage in the event of a collision.
There are two main types of boosters: high back (some of which have energy absorbing foam) and no back. A new generation of booster seats comes with rigid LATCH connectors that secure to the vehicle's LATCH anchors, improving the seat's stability in the event of a collision...
The consumer group Which? is calling on manufacturers and retailers to phase out backless boosters, as it says they don't provide enough protection in side-impact crashes and could put children at risk. So while backless booster cushions are better than using no child seat at all, they do not provide sufficient protection.
Used for Groups I, II and III.
After reaching one year of age or 20 lb, children may travel in a forward facing seats. Most Scandinavian countries require children sit rear facing until at least the age of 4 years. This has contributed to Sweden having the lowest rate of children killed in traffic in international comparisons.[5]
By law (in Canada and some US states), children need to be restrained until they are 40 lb or 4 years old, whichever comes first. After the requirement is met, they can move into a booster seat.
All child restraints have an expiration date. On average, most seats expire 6 years from the date of manufacture, although this can vary by manufacturer. Always obey manufacturer's instructions, because if the seat does not protect your child when the need arises, the manufacturer will not be liable if you went against its recommendations.
Like motorcycle helmets, child restraints are tested for use in just one crash event. This means that if the vehicle is compromised in any way (with or without the child in it), owners are strongly suggested to replace it, no matter how big or small. This is due to the uncertainty with how a compromised child restraint will perform in subsequent crashes.
Child restraints are sometimes the subject of manufacturing recalls. (See the list maintained by the NHTSA for details). Recalls vary in severity; sometimes the manufacturer will send you an additional part for the seat, other times they will provide a new seat entirely. Always contact the manufacturer.
The purchase of a used seat is not recommended. Due to the previous concerns discussed about expiry dates, crash testing, and recalls, it is often impossible to determine the history of the child restraint if it is purchased second hand.
Children traveling by plane are safer in a child safety seat than in a parent's arms. The FAA and the AAP recommends that all children under 40 lb use a child safety seat on a plane. Booster seats cannot be used on airplanes because they don't have shoulder belts.[7]
A study of car crash data from 16 U.S states found that children under the age of 3 were 43% less likely to be injured in a car crash if their car seat was fastened in the center of the back seat rather than on one side. Results were based on data from 4,790 car crashes involving children aged 3 and younger between 1998 and 2006. The center position according to data was the safest but least used position by parents.[19]
The move from having car seats in front passenger seat to having them in the back seat, facing backwards, may make it easier for a busy, distracted parent to forget an infant in the car.[20] Each year, between 30 and 50 infants die of heat illness and hyperthermia in the United States from being left in a car.[20]
Australian laws regarding infants in motor vehicles was revised on November 9, 2009.[21]
By law every child restraint sold in Australia must carry the Australian Standard AS/NZ1754 sticker (pictured right). Most overseas child restraints, including restraints from countries such as the UK and USA, do not comply with these Standards and cannot legally be used in Australia.
The responsibility for children under the age of 16 using restraints or safety belts correctly rests with the driver. in Queensland, penalties for drivers not ensuring their passengers, under the age of 16, are properly restrained involve a fine of AUD$300 and three demerit points. In Victoria the penalty is a fine of AUD$234 and three demerit points.[21] Possible suspension or cancellation of licence may also apply.
Directive 2003/20/EC of the European Parliament and the Council[23] has mandated the use of child-restraint systems in vehicles effective May 5, 2006. Children less than 150 centimetres (59 in) tall in vehicles fitted with safety systems must be restrained by a child restraint system suitable for the child's mass, up to 36 kg (79 lb). In practice, child-restraint systems must be able to be fitted to the front or the other rows of seats. Children may not be transported using a rearward-facing child restraint system in a passenger seat protected by a front air bag, unless the air bag has been deactivated.
Where a child-restraint system is used, it must be approved by the standards of UN-ECE Regulation 44/04, Directive 77/541/EEC or any other subsequent adaptation thereto. However, until May 9, 2008 member states may permit the use of child-restraint systems approved in accordance with their national standards. EuroNCAP has developed a child-safety-protection rating to encourage improved designs. Points are awarded for universal child-restraint anchorages ISOFIX, the quality of warning labels and deactivation systems for front-passenger airbags.
Since September 18, 2006, all children under the age of 12 who are less than 135 cm (4 feet 5inches) must use a booster seat appropriate to their weight. The Department of Transport advises that children between 135 and 150 cm (4 feet 11 inches) continue to use a booster seat.[25]
There has been some criticism of child safety seats, in particular by the economist Steven D. Levitt, author of the popular book Freakonomics. In a 2005 article in the New York Times Levitt suggests that the available data does not support the necessity of child safety seats for children over two years old, arguing that the cheaper and simpler alternative of seat belts offers similar protection. [26] Levitt was a guest at the TED conference in the same year, and gave a lecture making the same case. [27]
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