6 points to consider when choosing a car seat

Car seat is one of the most important items you buy for your child, so make sure to think twice when buying. All car seats sold in the UK are tested and certified, but which one is the most suitable?

As a parent, it is very important to buy a car seat that is suitable for your child and matches your car. Before buying the best car seats for trucks, you may wish to try the car seat in your car and let your child sit in the experience.

1. Choose a car seat that has been tested and certified

ECE R44 and UN R129 (i-Size) are two major standards for testing and certifying car seats. For parents, it is important to buy a car seat that is tested in accordance with one of the standards. The car seats certified by the ECE R44 standard have passed the front impact and rear-end collision tests, while the car seats certified by the UN R129 standard have also passed the side impact test. Child safety seats certified to the UN R129 standard have reached the latest requirements with maximum limits.

2. Make sure to choose the correct safety seat suitable for the child’s age and height

Car safety seats are divided into three categories: infant car safety seats, infant car safety seats, and high-back height-enhanced safety seats. Under normal circumstances, we will determine which type of car seat to choose based on the age and height of the child.

Stage 1 (infant car seat): This type of safety seat is suitable for infants from newborns to about 12 months old (suitable for the age according to the height of the child, there is room for adjustment for several months). If the top of the child’s head starts to press against the highest point of the car seat and the baby can stabilize his head by himself, it means it is time to replace the car seat in the next stage.

Stage 2 (child car seat): According to the UN R129 standard, children must use a rear-facing car seat before the age of 15 months, but BeSafe recommends that the use of a rear-facing car seat is available for a period of time Extend to 4 years old, or even longer, the better. Some seats in this category support both rear-facing and forward-facing installations, so they can be reversed when appropriate. If the child’s ears are at the same level as the highest point of the headrest when adjusted to the highest position, this means that this car seat is no longer suitable for your child.

Stage 3 (High-back height-enhancing safety seat): The last stage of the high-back height-enhancing safety seat is the longest time for children to use. According to the law, children must use a certified car seat until they reach 135cm in height or reach 12 years old (whichever comes first).

3. Easy and stable installation

First check whether your car is equipped with an ISOfix interface. The ISOfix interface is a small metal ring installed under the back of the car seat to fix the car seat. It is very convenient to use the ISOfix system to fix. The indicator that comes with the system can clearly show whether the seat or base is installed correctly, which helps to reduce the risk of improper installation.

4. Choose a car seat suitable for the entire age group

Ensure that the car seat can give the child the best safety protection and maximum comfort during use. It is best to buy a car seat that can be adjusted according to your child’s growth. Other features to consider when purchasing include: leg room, adjustable height, adjustable prone position and side impact protection.

5. Side impact protection is very important

25-30% of crashes are side impacts. Therefore, it is very important to optimize the protective device in this area on the car seat. This is also the regulation of the newly promulgated UN R129 standard.

6. More legroom – longer life span

One of the most common reasons for parents to let their children sit facing forward too early is the lack of legroom. If the car seat can provide more legroom for the child, its use time will also be extended. The car seat with adjustable leg space can save space when the child is small, and can provide more leg space for the child when he grows up.

BeSafe will take these points into consideration when developing products. Go to your nearest BeSafe retailer to learn more about the types of child safety seats to choose the safety seat that best suits your child and best meets your family’s needs.