Travelling in a car is all about the safety of its occupants. Safety seats are there to mitigate the risk of injury and loss of life should a motorist be involved in an accident. That is why it’s so important to highlight the importance of road safety and choose the best baby car seat for our little ones.1
What does the law say? 1
In South Africa, you have to, by law, strap any child under 3 years old in a certified baby car seat. In addition, any child less than 1.5 m in height (aged between 10 and 12 years) must also have approved protection while travelling.
How do you choose the best baby car seat? 1
Baby car seats can be divided into three categories: infant, toddler, and child booster seats.
Seats for infants 1
The first infant seat applies to a baby ranging from birth to not more than 13 kg. It must be used till the top of the baby’s head exceeds the 2.5-cm distance measured from the top of his head to the top of a fully extended headrest. For infants not exceeding 18 kg, seats consist of the typical ‘bucket’-shape and are equipped with a 5-point harness and installed facing the rear.
What seats apply to toddlers? 1
These apply to children ranging in weight from under 13 kg to 18 kg. Alternatively, comply with the weight written on the side of the seat. The seat is equipped with a 5-point harness. The two types of toddler seats are the convertible one that can be installed forward- or rear-facing and a rear-facing seat.
Rear-facing seats are the best 1
Safety-wise, it’s better to have a child facing the rear for as long as possible, preferably until the age of 4. Always inspect the sticker on the side of the seat that shows you until what weight the child should face backwards. Growing bodies are safer in rear-facing seats
When should the child-booster seat be used? 1
This seat applies to children aged between 4 and 10-12 years, or between 15 – 36 kg in weight. Side-impact protection should be provided by the ‘wings’ of the back head rest. Next, fasten the high-back booster seat using the car’s 3-point seat belt. This safety belt relies on the strongest points of the child, namely, the shoulder, upper chest, and upper thighs.
Some tips to consider 1
Always confirm where the ISOFIX anchor points are for attaching the baby safety seat from the car manual. Before buying the car seat, make sure it fits your child and that your seat belt is sufficiently long for installing it. Strictly follow the car seat manual’s instructions because an incorrectly installed seat is not safe.
The safety of the occupants of any car is of paramount importance. Strict adherence to strapping up our babies and toddlers will save them from injury and loss of life. We can always replace a car but not a life. But a car also needs to be financially protected with adequate car insurance cover. Have you checked your policy lately to see if it still applies to your current situation? Contact PMD and learn more about their affordable car insurance products, including convenient and unique product benefits such as fixed premiums* and a reduce to zero excess*. T’s and C’s apply.
Source:
1https://www.news24.com/parent/Preschool_2-6/Care/how-to-choose-a-car-seat-20170828
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
