Guest pen: Car seat law and recommendations - car seat peace for families

This Car Seat Law and Recommendations article is produced by Pinja Palermo for Lapsiarkea Media in collaboration with Lastentarvike.You can read more about car seat choices for families, for example from this MTV news.
The unfortunate fact, however, is that many families transport their children unsafely. In this article, we want to highlight basic knowledge on current car seat laws and recommendations.

Car Seat Act

Here you can find the current road traffic laws. (Section 94)

• The child must use a safety device in the car while traveling until he is 135 cm tall. An exeption may be made in the case of taxi transport by allowing a child under 135 cm tall to be carried using a seatbelt in the back seat if a car seat is not available. However, a child under 3 years of age should never be transported in a vehicle without a safety device.
  
  
• The safety device must be E-approved (UN R129, ECE R44/04 or ECE R44/03). UNR129/ i-Size is the latest and most demanding car seat approval. Read more about car seat standards from here.
  
  
• In the bus, when the child is sitting in his or her own seat, a seat belt or child safety device must be used.
  

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Recommendations

• Road safety experts at Liikenneturva recommend that the child be seated in an appropriate safety device until 150 cm tall and rear-facing for as long as possible, however at least until four years old.
  
  
• Liikenneturva recommends a rear-facing and plus-approved car seat. By purchasing a car seat that is approved for up to 25 kg, the child can travel in the rear-facing direction for as long as possible.
  
  
• The safest place for the child, regardless of age, is in the back seat. An inflatable airbag poses a danger to the life of the child. Check the car's operating instructions to see what it says about carrying a child in the front seat and whether the airbags can be turned off.
  
  
• When buying a car seat, it is worth matching it to the car in which it is mainly used. In our Lastentarvike stores, you can have the car seat fitted for your car, and our experts will also show you how to install and use the car seat in the future.

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Good to remember

• Everything people say is not worth believing!
  
  
• It is better to choose a seat prioritizing safety, than according to price. The most valuable carseat may not be the most suitable option for everyone. Familiarize yourself with the features of different products.
  
  
• Every child is an individual, so don't judge if you see someone deviating from the recommendations. Many children, for example, have severe motion sickness, in which case it can become much more difficult to travel rear-facing.
  
  
• Detached objects are very dangerous in the cabin of the car in the event of a crash. Avoid all unnecessary objects in the car.
  
  
• Do the belts come from the right height? A slight incline means the height is suitable.
  
  
• It is good to have a firm head support and it is important to be able to adjust the seat tilt.
  
  
• Does the child have enough legroom?
  
  
• Autoliitto tests are good, but it's good to remember that they don't test all seats and from all angles.
  
  
• The car seat must be changed every time after a crash.
  
  
• If you have a rotating seat, be sure to clean the mechanism by vacuuming at regular intervals.
  
  
• A seat purchased second-hand can be a risk. The car seats background should be checked carefully for crashes and how it's been stored. Even in minor crashes, hairline fractures can occur in the seat structures. If you end up with a used car seat, check when the seat was manufactured and abide by the recommended use time of the seat, and check the expiration date of the seat.

Three kids in the back?

In most cars, it is surprisingly difficult to fit three seats at once in the back seat. It is important for everyone to have a safe place to travel, but in addition to that, it is worth considering these things:

• The width of the interior of the car.
  
  
• The width of the seats. BeSafe's base, for example, is significantly narrower than the Britax Römer equivalent.
  
  
• Fastening method. Seat belt fastened car seats are often installed closer to the edge, compared to Isofix installed car seats. That few inches might just make the difference in fitting all three in the back seat!
  
  
• Often there is no Isofix installation option in the middle seat.
  
  
• Convenience of getting into the car: can you place the child in the middle and tighten the belts conveniently?
  
  
• How long can your children fit in these seats? Can the next size seat fit in the same slot?
  
  
• Swivel seats take up more space, which is why it's rare to be able to fit three children in the back seat with swivel seats.

Arrange the seats in a way that makes traveling most comfortable for your children. When the children are comfortable the driver can pay attention to driving.

Need help with car seat selection? In Lastentarvike stores you can always get expert service from all over Finland. Every year The Car Seat Roadshow travels through our stores with a car seat expert on hand to showcase the latest innovations and help your family find the best car seat for you. Our car seat expert is on the lookout for the latest recommendations and other car seat news, so if you have a car seat-related question on your mind, head to Lastentarvike! More information about the Car Seat Roadshow here: RoadShow

Read the original article here >>

Safe travels!

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