Motorists with families and traveling anywhere with small children must ensure a high level of safety. When the child is still very small, he is put in a special child seat. It reduces the risk of injury while driving. But what about relatively older children? The alternative is a booster. It gives more freedom for a child from 3 years old. Young parents are interested in how to mount the booster in the car, because some will have to do it for the first time. Today we will take a closer look at this issue.
What is a booster?
This design is a seat without a back. It raises the baby a little so that it is possible to properly and securely fasten the regular seat belts. When the child is higher in the seat, the belt will not touch his face and will not pinch his neck. Without boosters, regular belts, alas, cannot provide the proper level of security. Modern manufacturers today offer several types of boosters. Let's look at them below.
Types of boosters
Foam products are low price, poor quality, unable to withstand extreme riding conditions. After the crash tests, boosters of this kind simply cracked.
Plastic models have a more reliable design, but provided that the manufacturer used high-quality raw materials.
Multilayer products are considered the highest quality. They are made of metal, polyurethane and textile materials.
Advantages and disadvantages
This design has several advantages. This is a very light and very compact product. It is great for small cars. This is a good alternative to standard chairs if the child is large. The cost of the booster differs from the same standard chairs.
Products are also not without flaws. The booster is not able to provide the same level of security as a chair. The cheapest and simplest models are simply placed on the seat, they do not provide any fixation. In case of shocks or in the event of an accident, such an adapter has every opportunity to move around the cabin. The child is at great risk.
The best place for a booster inside a car
There are several areas in the car, the level of potential safety of which allows you to place a child here. These places were found, taking into account the statistics on road accidents with children,the analysis also took into account injuries and the degree of their complexity.
One of these places is behind the driver's seat. Here the risk of damage is minimized, especially in frontal collisions. The driver will turn the steering wheel in such a way as to avoid being hit from his side.
Another place is the center piece in the back seat. This factor can be explained by the fact that no matter where the driver turns the steering wheel in an accident, a blow to the rear of the car will have no or minimal effect on the child.
It is forbidden to carry children in a car with a booster in the front seat. If the airbags are disabled, the risk of injury in the event of an accident is very high. Even the simplest trip on smooth asph alt with a child in the front seat will give him a lot of inconvenience. This is easily explained by the design features of the front seat - the developers take into account the anatomical features of adults, but not children.
Fixing the booster with straps
For those who don't know how to mount a booster in a car, there are only two options. The first is using standard seat belts. The main thing is that the children's product is equipped with armrests.
This booster is easy to install on the seat, and the child himself will act as a latch. It should be noted that normally and reliably such a device will be installed only with the help of a three-point belt. Is only the transverse belt enough to install the structure? Experts give a negative answer.
How to attach the booster? The installation process of the child device will take only a few seconds. First, the booster itself is installed, then the child is put on it and pulled, and also fixed with belts.
Mounting pattern
The lower webbing of the belt is threaded under the armrests of the booster. Using a diagonal tape, the child's body is fixed to the wall. On sale there are models where there are additional tapes - they significantly increase the safety of children.
Disadvantages of the seat belt method
We looked at how to mount the booster in a car with a standard seat belt. And no matter how reliable the booster may seem, it can not get a rigid fixation with this. Even in the case of a quiet ride, there is a risk that the seat under the child will move. This can lead to displacement of the belts and squeezing of the neck and internal organs. If the driver brakes hard, safety is not guaranteed at all.
Important points
Parents with experience transporting children share how to attach a baby booster. Armrest height is very important. It is necessary to achieve such a position so that the small passenger does not reach for the armrest. If the child's body is relaxed, it will be securely fixed in the device.
The tension of the belts is also important. How to attach a booster? The child should be fixed tightly enough, but without discomfort. The belt should be fixed only after the driver has made sure that the booster fits snugly against the seat surface. slip be notshould.
Isofix fasteners
Responsible parents want to know how to properly attach a booster with this system. In this way, the installation of the booster will be the most correct. But it is important to make sure that such mounts are in the car before buying. If they are present, then the choice is made in favor of boosters with Isofix. Models will cost more, but the safety is maximum and the fixation of children is the most reliable. The design in this case is fixed to the body of the car. Provides maximum rigidity and stability, as well as good grip of the booster seat. If necessary, you can additionally fix the baby with standard belts. Children will be protected both simply when driving and in the event of an accident. You can put and remove the device in just a few seconds.
Conclusion
Proper fastening of the booster will ensure maximum safety for the child. You should not save on the type of fixation and the device as a whole. It is not recommended to buy used products. Child restraint is first of all safety, but not protection from fines. Before taking a child in a car, you should learn how to attach a booster. It's your child's safety.
