In today's world, most people have such a means of transportation as a car. And often parents need to put their child in a car. But transporting a baby without special equipment is very dangerous. Even if it is located in the back seat, in the hands of an adult, its safety is not guaranteed. In road accidents, the risk of injuries and injuries is very high.
Special devices for transporting small children are car seats. There is a wide variety of models, so you need to know how to choose the best. Most often, 2-3 groups buy a car seat. It fits a large age range.
How to transport a child
Car safety belts are designed for an adult, so they will not protect the baby. And in the car seat, the child will ride in the correct position, sitting. On the side it is supported by special protective inserts, all seats have head restraints. They are made so that when braking or any shock the child is protected. Usually the seats have their own seat belts, but older children are fixed with standard car belts. In some models, you can change the backrest and the position of the headrest.
How to choose a car seat
Focus primarily on the age of the child. All child restraints vary in size. For the trip to be safe, the baby should be comfortable. It is also necessary to pay attention to what the frame is made of, preference in this case is given to aluminum. Upholstery material must be water-absorbing and dust-repellent. There must be a stand under the arms and legs, providing comfort and the correct position of the baby.
Experienced car owners with children recommend buying seats from well-known manufacturers. They must have a certificate of quality. From it it is clear that they passed special crash tests and therefore are safe. It is not recommended to buy a chair with hands, you can not use a device that has been in an accident. When buying a chair, you should also pay attention to seat belts: they must be elastic, and it is better if they have 5 attachment points.
Types of car seats
There are several groups into which car seats are divided based on the height and weight of the child.
- Group 0+. Most often, the models of this group are used. In this chair you can transport a child weighing up to 13 kilograms and up to 75 cm tall. It is better to install it with the back forward, which is recognized as the safest for this age.
- Group 1. These chairs can be used up to almost four years of age, depending on the physique of the child. They are designed for weight up to 18 kilograms and the height of the baby up to 98 centimeters. The seat belt is attached at five points, which ensures high stability. These chairs are installed along the path of movement, which allows the baby to observe the world around him. The backrest is adjustable.
- Group 2. Such chairs are used for transporting children weighing 25 kilograms. They differ from the previous ones in that you can adjust the position of not only the back, but also the headrest. The seat is fastened already with the seat belts of the car itself, which does not allow it to roll sideways while riding.
- Car seat 2-3 groups. It stands out for a wide range of applications. It can be used for children weighing up to 36 kilograms, up to thirty centimeters in height. In this model, only the headrest is adjustable, and the backrest does not change at all.
- Baby car seat group 1-2-3. It has the largest period of application, but the least practicality. Such car seats are used for children weighing from three to thirty-six kilograms.
Car seat 2-3 groups: characteristic
There are a lot of models of armchairs at the moment, and the range of prices for them is also very large. For different weight categories and growth of the child, there are certain modifications. And not every parent can afford to buy a new expensive car seat almost every year. The more expensive the seat, the more extra features it has. It is better to buy the most ordinary car seat 2-3 groups that meets all the requirements for the baby. Chasing a low price is not worth it, since child safety is the main thing. The features of such a chair is the design: it consists of a separate seat and backrest with side protection. The child is held in it by regular car belts. Therefore, the use of chairs of group 2-3 is possible when the child reaches a height of 1 meter, otherwise the belt will be improperly located.
Features of armchairs of group 1-2-3
These are universal devices for children from infancy to 12 years. This is a transforming chair, as it has several positions and even the ability to remove the backrest. But there are some restrictions, for example, it is not recommended to transport a child up to one year of age in such a seat, since facing the movement is not the safest one. There are also two options for fastening the baby in the chair: first with a seat belt with five fastenings, then, after the child crosses the threshold of 15 kilograms, with the seat belt of the car itself. This group is the least comfortable for the child on long trips.
The most popular seat models
Which car seat to choose, each car owner decides for himself. The most popular models are:
- Carmate Swingmoon - chair of the 2nd group. Designed for children weighing up to 25 kilograms and growing up to 1 meter 20 centimeters. It has several features: three tilt positions, large open space, headrest adjustment, foot stand. Has a five-point seat belt. Such a chair costs about 2000 rubles.
- The Heyner Ergo Group 3 chair is designed for children weighing from 15 to 36 kilograms and growing up to 1 meter 35 centimeters. Its advantages are a sturdy base, German design and a car belt mount. Such a chair costs almost 3,000 rubles.
- Britax & Romer Kid II child car seat 2-3 groups can also be used for a child weighing up to 35 kilograms. It is quite expensive - it costs more than 10 thousand rubles, but, compared to others, it has many advantages: low weight, adjustable seat angle, there are many positions of the headrest and a removable cover.
- The Britax & Romer AdvansaFix universal armchair is designed for the same age group. This model is expensive - more than 20 thousand, but can be used for a very long time, as it is reliable and durable. In addition, this chair has three-position backrest locking, high depth and soft sidewalls, eleven headrest positions and a removable cover.
Armchairs with the Isofix system
Most mistakes in installing child seats are made in their mount. Therefore, more and more parents are trying to choose a car seat group 2-3 Isofix. Such a mounting system of the device makes their installation durable and reliable. It is rigidly connected to the body, so it does not move during impacts and sudden braking. Therefore, the transportation of the child becomes more secure. But the disadvantage of such chairs is that they can firmly hold only a child weighing up to 18 kilograms. Therefore, in the chairs of the 2-3rd group, a full-fledged Isofix cannot be used, it will only do harm. If such a fastening system is used, then it should be able to move forward during braking.
Car seat 2-3 groups: reviews
Most parents who have bought such models are satisfied. These chairs are designed for children 3 years of age and older. Parents like that they no longer need to buy a chair for several years. According to consumer reviews, they often buy models of well-known brands. Although they are more expensive, but everyone knows that you can not save on the safety of the baby. Manufacturers such as Concord, Cybex and Maxi Cosi guarantee that the child will be comfortable, and with any shock, he will be protected. Lots of positive reviews about Kiddy, Cybex Pallas, Cybex armchairs. They are durable, the upholstery is easy to wash, and the child is comfortable in them. But what is remarkable about the car seat (group 1-2-3)? Reviews of him note that the main advantage is that you do not need to change the device when the child grows up. This is especially convenient for those who rarely carry a baby in a car.
Child safety is the most important factor when transporting it in a car. Due to the huge variety of models in the car seat market, any family will be able to choose the right option according to their needs, tastes and material capabilities.