Детское автокресло: безопасность и стандарты защиты

Seat designed to protect children during traffic collisions

A child safety seat, sometimes called an infant safety seat, child restraint system, child seat, baby seat, car seat, or a booster seat, is a seat designed specifically to protect children from injury or death during vehicle collisions. Most commonly these seats are purchased and installed by car owners, but car manufacturers may integrate them directly into their vehicle's design and generally are required to provide anchors and ensure seat belt compatibility. Many jurisdictions require children defined by age, weight, and/or height to use a government approved child safety seat when riding in a vehicle. Child safety seats provide passive restraints and must be properly used to be effective. However, research indicates that many child safety restraints are often not installed or used properly. To tackle this negative trend, health officials and child safety experts produce child safety videos to teach proper car seat installation to parents and caregivers. In 1990, the ISO standard ISOFIX 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, the ISOFIX system can be used with Groups 0, 0+ and 1. In 2013, a new car seat regulation was introduced: "i Size" is the name of a new European safety regulation that affects car seats for children under 15 months of age. It came into effect in July 2013 and provides extra protection in several ways, most notably by providing rearward facing travel for children up to 15 months instead of 9 to 12 months, which the previous EU regulation advised.

Since the first car was manufactured and put on the market in the early 1900s, many modifications and adjustments have been implemented to protect those that drive and ride in motorized vehicles. Most restraints were put into place to protect adults without regard for young children. Though child seats were beginning to be manufactured in the early 1930s, their purpose was not the safety of children. The purpose was to act as booster seats to bring the child to a height easier for the driving parent to see them. It was not until 1962 that two designs with the purpose of protecting a child were developed independently. British inventor Jean Ames created a rear facing child seat with a Y shaped strap similar to today's models. American Leonard Rivkin, of Denver Colorado, designed a forward facing seat with a metal frame to protect the child. Seat belts for adults were not standard equipment in automobiles until the 1960s. Child safety seats first became available in the late 1960s, but few parents used them.

There are several types of car seats, which vary in the position of the child and size of the seat. The United Nations European Regional standard ECE R44/04 categorizes 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.

Carrycots or infant car beds are used for children that cannot sit in a regular baby seat, such as premature infants or infants that suffer from apnea. A carrycot is 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. Carrycots are designed to distribute the restraining forces over the child's head and body, excluding its limbs, in the event of a big crash. It must be put on the rear seat of the car. Some models can be changed to face forward after the baby has reached the weight limit which is normally about
Carrycots generally include a stomach belt and a connection to the (three points) safety belt.

Infant carrier means a restraint system intended to accommodate the child in a rearward facing semi recumbent position. This design distributes 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 recommended weight range from to Most infant seats made in the US can now be used up to at least and , with some going up to In the past, most infant seats in the US went to and 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, laws vary and children must remain in this position until they are at least 1 year of age in most states and at least 2 years of age in many states. More states are implementing a 2 year minimum. It is always recommended to keep them rear facing until at least 2 years old or until they outgrow the rear facing car seat height and weight, whichever is longer.

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 rear facing, allowing children to be in the safer rear facing position up to a weight of
Convertible safety seats can be installed as 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. Convertibles are not considered the best choice for a newborn because the bottom harness slots are often above the shoulders of most newborns. A seat with low bottom harness slots can be used if it is desired to use a convertible from birth. Rear facing weight limits range from depending on the manufacturer and country of origin. Forward facing limits range from depending on the seat model and the manufacturer and country of origin. All convertible seats in the U. S. have at least a rear facing weight limit, most now to go to , and some go to The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children remain rear facing until they outgrow their convertible seat, regardless of how old they are. Children can remain in a rear facing seat until they have either outgrown the weight limit for their seat, or the top of their head is within of the top of the shell of the car seat.

Booster seats are recommended for children until they are big enough to properly use a seat belt. Seat belts are engineered for adults, and are thus too big for small children. In the United States, for children under the age of 4 and/or under , a seat with a 5 point harness is suggested instead of a booster seat. Booster seats lift 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 and cause internal injuries 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 Isofix (Latch) connectors that secure to the vehicle's anchors, improving the seat's stability in the event of a collision. There are also 3 in 1 car seats that can first be used as a rear facing baby car seat, then as a forward facing seat, then finally as a booster seat when the child reaches the recommended height and weight. Unlike many booster seats, 3 1 car seats may use the LATCH system to be secured inside the car. The consumer group is calling on manufacturers and retailers to phase out backless boosters, as it says they do not 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 adequate protection in all circumstances.

Used for Groups I, II and III. After reaching one year of age and , children may travel in forward facing seats. Most Scandinavian countries require children to 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. By law (in Canada and some US states), children need to be restrained until they are 4 years old and After the requirement is met, they can move into a booster seat.

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. According to data, the center position was the safest but least used position. The move from having car seats in the 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.

Baby car seats are legally required in many countries, including most Western developed countries, to safely transport children up to the age of 2 or more years in cars and other vehicles. Other car seats, also known as "booster seats," are required until the child is large enough to use an adult seat belt. This is usually, but not always, when the child is tall. The child needs to meet five criteria before moving out of the booster seat, including the child's seating position, shoulder belt position, lap belt position, knee position, and ability to sit properly for the length of the trip. Generally, countries that regulate passenger safety have child safety laws that require a child to be restrained appropriately 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. Some countries, such as Australia and the United States, 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 for child supporting seat use.

Directive 2003/20/EC of the European Parliament and the Council has mandated the use of child restraint systems in vehicles effective May 5, 2006. Children less than tall in vehicles must be restrained by an approved child restraint system suitable for the child's size. In practice, child restraint systems must be able to be fitted to the front, or other rows of seats. Seats equipped with layers like energy retaining foam and supported side influence confidence focus on your baby’s well being. Extra highlights, for example, customization outfit structure and against bounce back bars modify welfare and solidness. High belling principles give cognitive state, guaranteeing your child’s security outweighs everything else during car rides. For a child restraint to be sold or used within any of the 56 UNECE member states it must be approved by the standards of UNECE Regulation 44/04, Directive 77/541/EEC or any other subsequent adaptation thereto. In order to be granted ECE R44 approval the child restraint must comply with several design, construction and production conformity standards. If approval is granted the seat can display an orange label with the unique approval license number, the type of approval, the mass group approved for and the details of the manufacturer. However, until May 9, 2008, member states may have permitted the use of child restraint systems approved in accordance with their national standards. Euro NCAP 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. 2013: New EU I Size regulation is introduced: "i Size" is the name of a new European safety regulation, UNECE Regulation 129 that affects car seats for children under 15 months of age. It came into effect in July 2013 and provides extra protection in several ways, most notably by providing rearward facing travel for children up to 15 months instead of 9 to 12 months, which the previous EU regulation advised. This new regulation is to be phased in between 2013 and 2018 and will be run in parallel to UNECE R44/04 until 2018 when it completely supersedes it.

Laws regarding taxis vary by state for infants. For children up to seven, a child restraint must be used if available, otherwise the child must use a properly fastened and adjusted seat belt. A child traveling in a police or emergency vehicle. If a child has a medical condition or physical disability that makes it impractical to use a child restraint and the driver has a certificate from a doctor indicating this is the case.

As an EU member states, products used in Austria should comply with European Union single market definitions. All children who are smaller than and younger than 14 years old must use a booster or car seat appropriate to their weight. A child must be either 14 years old or 4'11" to ride without a booster seat.

All children who are smaller than and younger than 7 years old must use a booster or car seat appropriate to their weight. A child must use a car seat at ages 0–4; Ages 5–7 a booster is required. Children under 10 years old are required to ride in the back seat.

Child restraint requirements vary from province to province. The strictest province law requires children who are younger than 10 years and smaller than 4 ft 9 in to use a booster seat. For safety reasons, it is generally advised to use a booster seat until the child reaches a height of 4 ft 9 in.

As an EU member states, products used in Germany should comply with European Union single market definitions. All children younger than 12 years and smaller than The Israeli transportation regulation states that a child under the weight of , height of , or age of 8 will use some kind of safety chair. The Israeli regulation states that a Sal Kal (he:סל קל lit. light basket) is equal to European group 0 and group 0+ regulations

An Urban legend in Israel states that nursery homes and hospitals will not allow exit with an infant if a SalKal (infant carry one safety seat) is not presented.

NZ Transport Agency governs the rules and sets standards for the health and safety aspects with respect to child restraints in New Zealand. Their guidelines dictate the minimum legal requirements for a New Zealand vehicle from the safety perspective. The correct fitting of a car seat can protect individuals and can be a lifesaver. This page provides details on qualified seat installation processes and approved standardized marks to look out for in child restraints. The Agency trains and certifies NZTA certified child restraint technicians who are authorized to install child safety seats.

Children aged under 7 years must use an approved child restraint unless they are travelling in a public bus, shuttle or taxi and an approved child restraint is not available. Children aged 7 years must use an approved child restraint if one is available. Children aged 8 years to 14 years are not required to use a child restraint. However, if a seat belt is not available (pre 1979 vehicles are not required to be fitted with seat belts on all seats), they must sit in the back seat.

Under the Republic Act No. 11229, or the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act which took effect on 2 February 2021, children age 12 years and below who are smaller than are required to use "child restraint systems" or child car seats and is bared from seating in the front seat of vehicles. The Department of Transportation is also mandated by the same law to conduct a feasibility study on the use of child restraint systems on public transport including buses, taxis, and jeepneys. The law does not cover motorcycles and motorized tricycles.

As an EU member states, products used in Spain should comply with European Union single market definitions. Front seats: children younger than 12 years or smaller than 4 feet 5 inches must use a child safety seat. Persons bigger than may use the adult safety belt. Rear seats: persons smaller than must use a child safety seat. Also true for kids younger than 12 years.

As it was an EU member state at the time laws were introduced, products used in United Kingdom should comply with European Union single market definitions. From September 18, 2006, all children under the age of 12 have to use some form of child car seat, unless they are taller than .

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"). Child restraint requirements differ for the various states in the United States. In Florida and South Dakota, children who are four years or older can use an adult seat belt without a child safety seat. In the rest of the country, a booster seat or otherwise appropriate child restraint is required until the child is between five and nine years old, depending on the state. Most states include in their law a requirement that all infants ride rear facing until they are BOTH one year of age AND at least 20 pounds. Though it is not included in every state's law, no child safety restraint marketed to the US will accommodate an infant less than 20 pounds, some no less than 22 pounds, in a forward facing position. As of 2011, most children ride rear facing until they are at least 2 years of age. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises the use of a child restraint or a booster seat for all children who are shorter than 4 ft 9 in, regardless of age and weight, or even longer if the belts hit the child at the wrong place. Some booster seats can be used for children up to 60 inches and 120 pounds. Many state laws prefer that children 12 years and younger sit in the back seat if available. Some states, as is the case in Michigan, forbid placing a child under the age of 4 years in a front seat if a rear seat is available. Some states require that all child safety seats be used in full accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in what is sometimes referred to as a "proper use clause".

Though there are hundreds of variations of makes and models in the world of child safety seats, the materials used in the manufacturing process are basically the same. Factories in which the seats are put together receive loads of polypropylene pellets. Foam makes up the padding of the individual seats, while vinyl and fabrics are used to make up the covers for the seats as well as the harnesses. A safety seat increases the safety of a properly restrained child in the case of a motor vehicle accident. The safety seat includes foam padding, fabric covers, a harness, and buckles or attaching mechanisms. Labels and instructions are also attached. Every child safety seat will have an expiration date on it. The Safe Kids USA organization does not recommend using a child safety seat that is more than 6 years old. Periodically, child safety seats are recalled by manufacturers for safety reasons. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration posts a link to recent recall information at nhtsa. gov.

There are different types of child safety seats for children of different sizes and ages. Infant seats: Child safety seats made specifically for infants are the smallest and have carrying handles for easy carrying and loading. Newborns are most often placed in a rear facing seat. These seats are designed for infants is up to , depending on the model. Convertible seats: Similar to the infant seat, the convertible seat can be used in a rear or forward facing position and is used for children typically beginning at up to The rear facing position is used for children until they weigh more than and are at least two years old. Research studies and crash test results show that children are safer in a rear facing child safety seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping children in a rear facing seat until "they are 2 years of age or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat’s manufacturer" (www. healthychildren. org). Some seats allow the child to stay rear facing until Once the child has reached the minimum requirements to be forward facing, the seat can be turned around and used as a forward facing seat. Combination seats: The combination seat or five point booster is a forward facing seat that has a five point harness system. It can be modified to a belt positioning booster by removing some webbing
Booster seats: The earlier described combination seat can become a high back belt positioning booster. There is also a high back belt positioning booster that is available for that purpose only. The other type of belt positioning booster is the low back or no back booster. The major differences between the low and high back booster seats are head support and improved protection in side impact collisions. Vehicles with a bench seating and no headrest are required to use a high back booster. The purpose of the booster seats is to provide elevation to the child so the shoulder belt rests appropriately on the shoulder blade and does not ride up the child's neck. It also provides "hips" that the seat belt can rest securely across and remain on the large bones of the child instead of resting across the soft tissue of the abdomen. This seat is available for children over up to over From the ages of eight to twelve, children may have outgrown their booster seats and can be permitted to use regular adult seat restraints. It is suggested that, until the age of thirteen, the child remains in the back seat.

Manufacturers have quality controls to ensure seats are properly put together and packaged. However, it is not guaranteed that the included instructions are always adhered to and correctly followed. Up to 95% of the safety seats that are installed may not be the right seat for the child, may be hooked into the vehicle loosely, may be hooked with an incompatible belt in the vehicle, may have harnesses incorrectly fastened in some way, or may be incorrectly placed in front of air bags. In 1997, six out of ten children who were killed in vehicle crashes were not correctly restrained. His warning came after the death of a two month old boy who was left to nap in a child safety seat positioned inside his crib rather than the crib itself. The death was linked to positional asphyxiation. Child safety seats can be expensive and bulky, and if the family has multiple children who need to use child safety seats at the same time, it may even be necessary to buy a larger vehicle or specialized, narrower safety seats to comply with legal requirements about transporting children safely. One economic study found that these requirements affected families' decisions about birth spacing, and estimated that, in 2017, the requirements for fitting multiple child safety seats into a vehicle at the same time had likely discouraged several thousand families from having an additional child at that time. A major challenge to child restraint use is that it is considered as a mechanism to discipline children instead of being seen as a safety device by parents and as children became older they actively seek opportunities to negotiate the non usage of restraints.