What is the safest place in the car for a child seat?

The first concern when traveling with small children is always their safety. Selecting the ideal location for a child seat in the vehicle is one of the most significant choices parents must make. Even though every seat in the car is meant to keep you safe, some positions are safer than others.

A common question among parents is which seat is safer—the front or rear. Although there are expert guidelines and suggestions to help simplify this decision, it can still feel overwhelming. You can travel with peace of mind if you know where to put the kid seat.

This article will discuss where a child seat is safest in the car, taking into account both professional recommendations and useful parenting advice. The intention is to make your child’s car rides safer and more enjoyable on every occasion.

Where in the car is it best to install a car seat

It is advised that infant car seats, sometimes known as bassinets or baby carriers, be installed in the opposite direction of the vehicle when being used to carry small children. Such baby carriers must be fastened with specific three-point belts or fasteners.

The middle passenger seat, which is found in the back seat, is the safest location for a car seat. This is because the middle passenger seat is the safest in the event of a side-on collision between two cars because it is equally spaced from the side doors of the car.

It is preferable to install a child car seat on the right side of the vehicle in the unlikely event that installing it in the middle passenger area of the back of the vehicle is not feasible due to technical issues. You must slightly advance the front passenger seat in order to accomplish this.

You have to make every effort to leave as much space in front of the car seat as possible when installing one. Furthermore, the front seats should never be used as support when fixing it. If not, the child might sustain severe injuries in the event of an accident or during abrupt braking.

Installing the car seat in the rear right section of the interior is also advised because it enables continuous observation of the child’s condition while the vehicle is being driven. It should be mentioned, though, that under certain circumstances and in accordance with established traffic regulations, a child car seat may also be installed in the front passenger seat of a vehicle.

Firstly, the airbag in front of the car seat should be deactivated or removed completely before putting a car seat in the front seat. In addition to installing a child car seat, there are a few other recommendations that should be taken into account and adhered to.

1. The location of the installed car seat should be such that the child constantly looks back, in the opposite direction relative to the direction of travel of the car.
2. The seat must be installed in the center of the seat. This location is the most stable and safer in the event of an accident or sudden braking of the vehicle.
3. After installation, you need to check the strength of the child seat fastening to the car seat. If, when trying to move it, the seat begins to shift to the side by a distance exceeding the 2.5 cm mark, then in this case it should be reinstalled.

The location of the car seat within the vehicle is also primarily determined by the car’s size and technical specifications. For instance, it is best to install a car seat in the middle passenger seat of a five-seater car. It is advised to install it near the middle passenger row in a car with seven seats.

As mandated by law, a car seat must be installed before a child may be transported in the cabin. It may be in the rear, up front, or to the driver’s side. Alternatively, it can be secured in the center of the backseat.

The middle seat in the rear row, away from airbags and any direct impact zones in the event of an accident, is usually the safest location for a child seat in an automobile. The child is best protected from side impacts and kept as far away from potential hazards as possible in this position. As long as the seat is properly and securely installed, either side of the back row can be safe if the middle seat isn’t an option.

Using additional seat belts

It is essential to use more than just regular seat belts when securing the car seat in the vehicle and during subsequent usage. When transferring kids in the seat, it is also advised to make active use of the unique "child belts" that the manufacturer has additionally installed. The child’s safety when driving or in emergency situations (sharp braking, skidding, sudden turns) on busy roads is greatly increased when these belts are worn.

There are various methods for fastening child seat belts, depending on the type of car seat being used. Furthermore, you have the ability to modify both their tension and height.

It’s important to closely inspect the child’s belt tension and tightness to the body after they’ve been securely fastened to the seat. The child’s belts shouldn’t be too tight or too loose; they should neither squeeze their body excessively.

Recommendations for selection

When traveling in a car with a child, a child car seat is an absolute necessity. Important factors like the child’s age and weight must be considered when selecting a car seat. As you are aware, it is not advised to put a child car seat in a car in a straight position, so it should also have an adjustable backrest tilt level.

Every car seat is categorized into multiple groups based on the child’s weight. Child seats classified as Group 0 are intended for children who weigh no more than 10 kg. They have a unique extra layer of protection installed in the head region. Children up to 18 kg in weight who are securely seated in a car can be transported with Group 1 child seats. Goods in groups 2 and 3 are intended for child passengers weighing no more than 36 kg in cars.

How to transport children

Even when using a designated car seat, it is advised to adhere to specific safety regulations for the safe transportation of children in cars. For instance, child seats or other restraints must always be positioned in the area of the car that is the safest. The back seat’s center passenger seat is the safest spot in an automobile, per official statistics. It is imperative that you use the standard seat belts that come with the car seat when driving.

It is advised to always make sure the car seat is stable and reliable before making any moves. It is highly advised to affix a unique sign that reads "Child in the Car" to the car carrying the child. This sign is typically affixed to the car’s rear window.

In addition to trying not to break any traffic laws, you should strive to accelerate and brake smoothly when driving with children. In the vehicle where the car seat is installed, all airbags must be deactivated. This is because they have the potential to hurt the child if they become triggered.

Selecting the car seat’s safest location is essential to guaranteeing your child’s safety. Most people agree that the back seat—especially the middle position—is the safest. In the event of a crash, it keeps your child the farthest away from the impact.

Making sure the seat is installed correctly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions is also crucial. Your child’s safety can be significantly improved by strategically placing their seat.

Though contemporary cars are equipped with safety features to safeguard occupants, positioning your child seat correctly is the first line of defense in ensuring their safety during every trip.

Video on the topic

The safest place for a child car seat in the car!

The safest place for a child in the car

Do you know where the safest place for a child car seat is in a car?