Can a child ride without a car seat? Check what the law and experts say!

Parents are happy to watch their child develop. They are extremely proud when the toddler starts talking, walking, becoming more independent. They often emphasize this process with items: "grown-up" cutlery, toys for older children, a forward-facing car seat, a stand instead of a seat in the car... However, is a several-year-old ready to ride only in a three-point belt? The regulations in force in our country and professionals involved in the safety of children in cars say in unison: do not. So before you swap your child's full seat for a pad or remove it from the car altogether, read the following article.

Carrying a child in a safety seat is every parent's responsibility

Upon Poland's entry into the European Union, we took over its current regulations on the carriage of children. According to them, children whose height does not exceed 150 cm must be in safety seats while driving. Where does this border come from? Seat belts factory-installed in cars are designed to protect adults over 150 cm tall. Only then every part of the belt passes correctly: the shoulder should run through the center of the sternum and not slide off the shoulder, while the hip should be placed as low as possible under the abdomen. A different setting could cause serious internal injuries in the event of an accident or sudden braking. The physique is also not insignificant. The toddler, whose skeleton is still developing, does not yet have developed front hip spines - and it is on them that the belt rests, preventing slipping on the abdomen. That's why using seats with belt guides, which you'll find with us at 3Kiwi, is so important.

Seat or pad? The safest solution is the first one

The stands were created for older children who no longer want to ride in a full car seat and are still too small for a three-point belt. Their job was to elevate the toddler to a position where the bands would run properly. However, as crash tests show, using it can be dangerous for a small passenger. First of all, the pad does not have head protection and side protection, and as a result of a crash, the toddler lands instead of in the safe zone of the seat... on the door. In addition, most models of pads simply lay on the seat of the car, which causes the slipping of the child from it. As a result, what we want to protect the toddler from happens - the belt moves to the abdomen and neck. Therefore, to ensure your child's complete safety, it is a good idea to use car seats that have passed crash tests and have solid belt guides. Children up to 4. year, experts recommend rWF car seat, that is, mounted rearward facing, with five-point belts. Only from the time the toddler reaches 105 cm in height can be carried in an "adult" seat belt.