The content of the article:
- What is a booster for?
- Features of different designs
- How to choose the right boosters
- We fix it correctly
The safety of children on the move is a priority for both parents and legislators. By law, for children under 12 years old, a booster or a special seat must be installed in the car.
Everyone knows about child car seats, but the booster raises many questions. How are they different from armchairs? What age group is it allowed to carry children? How can it be secured? All these questions will be answered here. In fact, today a large number of booster models have been developed, and you can choose the option that suits you by studying the positive and negative characteristics of each of them.
What is a booster for?
The booster allows the child to be secured in a higher position on the car seat. It does not have a back. Older children are allowed to be transported without specially designed seats. It is only necessary that they be fastened with seat belts.
If the baby's height is less than 145 cm, the belts will press on areas of the body that are not intended for this, causing a feeling of discomfort. This is where the booster comes in. It is compact and will not reduce the width of the seat. He only raises the child so that the use of the seat belts is correct.
There are many booster models, among them there are even those that can be used to transport children under 3 years old, weighing 15 kg and over 100 cm. The maximum weight of a child is 45 kg.
But in what cases the use of boosters becomes advisable:
- The chair has become uncomfortable for the baby, since he has already grown out of it, but it is still too small to use seat belts to fix it on the car seat without additional devices.
- The child does not want to sit on a chair, explaining that he is already big. But the law requires compliance with the rules for the transportation of children, and the booster becomes an excellent alternative to classic chairs.
- The compactness of the booster can be very useful in the case when a large number of passengers are transported.
- It is recommended to use the booster in case of incorrect positioning of the seat belts. On short trips, this is still acceptable, but for long trips you will have to buy a booster.
Helpful advice: you do not need to buy cheap models of boosters, since they will not last long, and they will have to be changed often. As a result, you will only have to pay more. Among other things, cheaper models have a reduced degree of safety and are not as convenient as more expensive options.
Features of different designs
There are many configurations for these fixtures, and manufacturers continue to offer new options. They differ in cost, features of use and materials that were used in their manufacture. To choose the most suitable option for yourself, you need to be able to navigate in the basic parameters of the products.
- Foam devices. Foam-based models are very comfortable, but in terms of safety, they leave much to be desired. The whole structure can simply crumble if an accident occurs. If this happens, the child will fall down, slipping under the belts, which could result in serious injury. Of course, such options are much cheaper, but is it really worth saving on child safety? In addition to the convenience for children and the price, only their light weight can be attributed to the positive aspects of such devices.
- Plastic products. This option is also very convenient to use, but, in addition, its safety level is an order of magnitude higher than that of the foam counterparts. But plastic can also be different, and experts recommend choosing options made from a more durable material. When choosing plastic boosters, you need to take into account the presence of stiffeners on the inside of the structure. And higher quality plastic can be identified even visually.
- Multilayer. In this version, all indicators are at their best - the devices are very convenient, and their safety characteristics are at the highest level. Devices with a metal frame and several layers of special materials are considered ideal. The greatest comfort of using the product is provided by its soft surface.
- Special models. Some manufacturers offer devices that have loop devices designed to pull the straps away from the baby's face. It is extremely inconvenient to use them - such boosters constantly slide off and may even burst, so there is no need to talk about the proper level of safety here. It is highly discouraged to buy such devices, because they are not only inconvenient to use, but also unsafe.
How to choose the right boosters
You should not treat the choice of a booster carelessly. Remember that not only the comfort of your child depends on the right choice, but also his safety while driving. The model offered by the sellers may have a modern look, but at the same time it does not meet the main requirements for devices of this kind. In order not to return to the store again and again, you need to weigh everything properly.
When choosing a fixture, you need to take into account the material from which it is made. The new seat should be comfortable for the baby and, of course, special attention should be paid to the degree of safety that the product design can provide.
But what points must be taken into account when choosing a booster for transporting a child:
- Be sure to inspect the product from all sides. It must be made with high quality, even without minor flaws. The model should not be too heavy and easy to operate.
- The baby should be comfortable in the seat. Otherwise, the purchase of the product loses its meaning, because you do not want the child to feel uncomfortable in the car? It is necessary to take into account the moment of the convenience of using the product in the winter - the child is dressed in a bulky jacket, and on a tight device he will be uncomfortable in it.
- It is necessary to choose products made by trusted manufacturers, whose products have all the necessary certificates for the implementation of this activity.
- Buy devices that are clearly distributed according to your child's weight and height. Universal boosters are not the best option.
- It is necessary to take into account the seat trim. The material from which it is made must be breathable, easy to clean and dry quickly. Better if you choose the option with removable pads - they are much easier to clean and dry.
- Combined versions of boosters can be found on sale. They can be operated in several modes, one of which provides for the possibility of transformation into a kind of crib, where the child can relax on a long journey. In this case, even while resting, the baby will be fastened.
- There must be parts on strong protective bridles that provide softening of the child's contact with the device. In the absence of this property, the child can get injured not only in an accident, but also during sudden braking.
- Buy only a booster that will fit your child exactly. There is no need to buy a product "for growth" or which is already small. Otherwise, the baby will feel discomfort.
- From the whole variety of models, it is better to choose those that are attached to the seat with the help of special devices, and not just superimposed on it. But when choosing such a device, one should take into account the presence of special loops on the car seat for attaching the device.
We fix the booster correctly
The simplest models do not imply any mounts - they just need to be placed on the seat. With this option, the seat belt (its lower part) is held under the armrest. This, in fact, is the whole fastening.
But this may not be enough if the car brakes sharply. There are cases when, with sharp braking or turning, the booster simply slipped out from under the child. Additional attachment loops can be very useful here, as they increase the degree of safety several times.
When buying a booster, special attention should be paid to the height of the armrests, since they are the important point during the installation of a child seat. The child should freely, without tension, lean on the armrest. In this case, he will receive proper support during the turn. However, the taller armrests have certain advantages - they fix the belts above the usual level, which can be useful in terms of safety in an accident.
Attention! The height of the child and the slope of the booster should only be set individually. It is very important that the belt does not touch your face or press on your neck. The chair should be set as stiff as possible. Do not allow it to slide or bounce while moving.
There are boosters that are installed using the Isofix system. But this can not be done in every car. For this, a special attachment system must be provided on the seats. If it is present, the choice in favor of Isofix should be unambiguous. Of course, such devices are more expensive, but they are much more reliably fixed to the car body, practically becoming one with it. In addition, additional restraint for the child will be provided by conventional seat belts.
When using such a device, a small passenger will be maximally protected while driving. Fixing with Isofix differs from conventional fixing only by the need to use a special fixing system. The installation will take very little time, and the process itself should not cause difficulties.
If you take into account all the recommendations given in this article, you can choose the best booster option for your child.
