Checklist for the child seat purchase:
- First, you should know when buying a seat, pay attention to safety certificates. The ECE quality label located on the back or bottom of the seat. Is there the ECE R 44/03 or ECE R 44/04 noted, one can safely access. Absence of these seals, you should opt for a different seat.
- It is generally advised to buy the car seats at authorized resellers. There you can also check on the spot whether and especially how the seat fits in the car. Is then enough room for passengers to be? Does the belt? These and other questions can only be answered if one is on site and the seat does not have to blindly buy. In addition, the length of the belt must be sufficient to hold firm and secure not only the child seat themselves, but also then the child.
- For more than two child seats, a car is too small with only a back seat. Either approach should be avoided to a large mini van or a seven-seater, or one of the children is old and big enough (at least twelve years and 1.50m tall) to sit in front already allowed.
- Another, often underestimated point is the agreement with the child himself. Ideally, therefore, to go along with the child to the dealer. It is not so much to meet its own will, but much more a matter that a comfortable and not feel confined while driving.
- The usual three-point system is soon replaced completely by Isofix (ISOFIX); from November 2014 compatibility in any motor vehicle required. With the Isofix you can attach all child seats directly in the car body, which means a huge plus especially as far as safety and flexibility. Isofix is a very secure and easy-to-use mounting system for child seats in automobiles. Both child seat and vehicle must have the appropriate fasteners - the ISOFIX seats are then connected only via two metal hooks to the vehicle. The vehicle belt is no longer necessary for security. The system is standardized according to the standard ISO 13216, after which it got its name.
- An additional possibility is that child seats to buy directly from the car manufacturers (integrated child seats), but this is usually intense price.
Common mistakes in the use
The most common mistakes in child safety are operating and installation errors.
- Incorrect belt routing: The vehicle belt is not properly set the shell. The fatal consequence: In an accident the bowl from the supposedly secure anchoring tips.
- Installation in the wrong direction: infant car seats should never be fastened IN direction of travel or just with the waist belt. The principle: infant carriers AGAINST set the direction of travel and ALWAYS secure with three-point seat belt.
- Loose shells: infant car seats must be strapped down tight. A really strapped child seat can be seen immediately: When you press the release button on the Fahrzeuggurts the fortified infant car seat must formally "jump out" from the bench.
- Always fasten straps as tight as possible to the body even if it is not so convenient. It may, at best, three fingers between the belt and chest fit. Thick clothing such as anoraks avoided so the belt can be as close as possible to the body.