[ontheroad]

Originally Posted by RakishRam

Did you or anyone else find a shop in Kochi yet? If yes, please share details - a bit of googling didn't help much :(

Hi RakishRam, I bought it from hushbabies.com as I couldn't find any local shops selling them.

[jinojohnt]

Originally Posted by jinojohnt

So, it is advisable to keep the child in a rear-facing seat as long as possible (till your child is too big/heavy for a child seat).

People who are not convinced can read the following link:
Source: http://www.carsafetyrules.com/swedes...ar-seats/0403/

Swedes save more lives with policy of keeping kids in rear-facing car seats for longer

Accident research figures from Sweden confirm the country’s policy of keeping children in rear-facing car seats for longer is continuing to save lives. While German accident data shows a significant peak in the number of one year-olds killed, with 37 fatalities over a five year period, none died in Sweden.

Lotta Jakobsson, a senior safety specialist at Volvo Cars, commented: “When comparing data from Sweden and Germany [over the last five years], it becomes evident that the Swedish habit of transporting our smaller children in rearward facing seats for longer protects this age group.”

In Sweden children travel in rear-facing seats until they are three or four years old; in Germany, as in most other countries, children start to sit facing forward from around the age of 12 months. This is changing as more rear-facing seats become available. In January, Britax launched the Max-Fix, a Group 0+/1 rearward facing ISOFIX-compatible car seat that allows parents to kep their children rearward facing until around the age of four (or 18kgs).

How rear-facing car seats work

In the most common and the most severe car accidents, the occupants’ head is thrown forward with force. Its momentum propels it downwards onto the breastbone and then back up again. While most adult necks can withstand this strain, a small child’s neck cannot. In a rear-facing seat, the force is distributed throughout the child’s spine instead of being concentrated into its neck and head. This video explains it well:
The rearward-facing car seat was invented in 1967 by Swedish safety genius, Professor Bertil Aldman. Aldman was inspired by the special seats used by Gemini mission astronauts during take-off and landing, which were moulded to distribute G forces over the whole back. The same principle is what protects children in car accidents. The whole of the child’s back takes the strain of the impact, not just its much weaker neck.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by jinojohnt

People who are not convinced can read the following link:
Source: http://www.carsafetyrules.com/swedes...ar-seats/0403/

Swedes save more lives with policy of keeping kids in rear-facing car seats for longer

Accident research figures from Sweden confirm the country's policy of keeping children in rear-facing car seats for longer is continuing to save lives. While German accident data shows a significant peak in the number of one year-olds killed, with 37 fatalities over a five year period, none died in Sweden.

Lotta Jakobsson, a senior safety specialist at Volvo Cars, commented: "When comparing data from Sweden and Germany [over the last five years], it becomes evident that the Swedish habit of transporting our smaller children in rearward facing seats for longer protects this age group."

In Sweden children travel in rear-facing seats until they are three or four years old; in Germany, as in most other countries, children start to sit facing forward from around the age of 12 months. This is changing as more rear-facing seats become available. In January, Britax launched the Max-Fix, a Group 0+/1 rearward facing ISOFIX-compatible car seat that allows parents to kep their children rearward facing until around the age of four (or 18kgs).

How rear-facing car seats work

In the most common and the most severe car accidents, the occupants' head is thrown forward with force. Its momentum propels it downwards onto the breastbone and then back up again. While most adult necks can withstand this strain, a small child's neck cannot. In a rear-facing seat, the force is distributed throughout the child's spine instead of being concentrated into its neck and head. This video explains it well:
The rearward-facing car seat was invented in 1967 by Swedish safety genius, Professor Bertil Aldman. Aldman was inspired by the special seats used by Gemini mission astronauts during take-off and landing, which were moulded to distribute G forces over the whole back. The same principle is what protects children in car accidents. The whole of the child's back takes the strain of the impact, not just its much weaker neck.

Totally agree with your views, however- I'd just like to remind everyone- airbags need to be turned off before putting the child on a rear facing child seat attached to the front passenger seat.

[Moto-Mariner]

Thats a great info you have provided. Are ISOFIX child seats available in india? Can you recommend one for my 2 1/2 yr old kid. I am getting an ecosport which has ISOFIX points. Thanks

Originally Posted by drive_safe

Hi I am child safety Expert in Europe. My Career is to develop vehicles towards 5* EuroNCAP rating for child safety. So you can ask me any technical stuff regarding child safety.

Safest child seats are the one with Isofix. This has almost a rigid connection of Child seat to the vehicle. Isofix Hooks are Mandatory for vehicles in Europe for all 2nd row Outboard positions by law. I think Isofix anchors in Indian Vehicles are available in High end cars only.

What is ISOFIX?
ISOFIX is a fixed interface with standardized anchoring points for securely installing the child safety seat in a vehicle. It has by now become the international standard for all automobile and child safety seat manufacturers. This anchoring technology minimizes installation mistakes and optimizes the protective effect by means of a solid connection between child safety seat and vehicle.

You can buy a child seat which has Isofix Levers if your car is having Isofix anchors to connect it. You can connect your child seat to the vehicle Isofix anchor in one easy step. It is hassle free and safer.

Neverthless 3-point seat belt of your vehicle also provides good connection to child seats with proper routing of seatbelt over child seat by following instructions on your Child seat handbook.

For Infants up to 18 Months, Rearward facing seats are safer to avoid Neck Injury.
However here is the classification of child seats in Europe.

European experts have determined five groups for child restraint systems, classified by the weight of the child.

Please feel free to ask if you have any questions regarding Child safety

[stuntfreak]

Originally Posted by k36

Hi Guys,
I've been reading a lot of discussion on safety measures in cars and safe driving habits in the forums here. However we seem to be silent on safety of children travelling in cars.
I'm planning to buy my first car soon and want my 2 yr old kid to be safe in it, right from day one.
I would like to buy a kids car seat along with the car.
Any idea where can I get one in India (Pune, Mumbai preferably) ?
Cheers,
k36

I'm so glad that you want to buy this. Many people are so ignorant towards safety. Anyways, I had bought an amazing one for my niece from 'Mom & me' in Camp : SGS Mall. I'm sure you will get nice ones around in these big kids stores. Please note that you buy a seat suited for your kid, and if possible, take him along when you go to buy it, and buy one of his preference Colour, shape, etc. these things will make 'putting the kid in the seat and strapping on the belt' easier if the kid likes the seat

[khoj]

Seats made by GRACO are available in stores like Shoppers Stop and Lifestyle etc. Several other child centric stores carry them too. MotherCare also offers child seats under their own brand.

Originally Posted by Moto-Mariner

Thats a great info you have provided. Are ISOFIX child seats available in india? Can you recommend one for my 2 1/2 yr old kid. I am getting an ecosport which has ISOFIX points. Thanks

Dude do you realize you responded to a query posted in the last decade, 8 years ago

Originally Posted by stuntfreak

I'm so glad that you want to buy this. Many people are so ignorant towards safety.

[stuntfreak]

Originally Posted by khoj

Seats made by GRACO are available in stores like Shoppers Stop and Lifestyle etc. Several other child centric stores carry them too. MotherCare also offers child seats under their own brand.





Dude do you realize you responded to a query posted in the last decade, 8 years ago

I actually did right after I posted.. Hoped no one wud notice :P

Well I did reply though! Anyways really glad people are being aware of occupant safety these days. Atleast some of them. We should promote occupant safety in some way. Specially the importance of child seat. Any ideas how?

[speedsatya]

Www.precared.com also sells these child seats. They buy used products , sanitise them and rate them on their website buses on the wear m tear.

I saw products worth 12000 INR being sold for 4-6.5 k INR. Though I haven't bought from the. , like their customer service response to my emails.

[ajitkommini]

This is a great thread. I'm glad to see that in Bangalore at least, quite a number of people have started using child seats. We got a rear-facing one for my daughter at about 3 months (never took her out in the car before that), then switched her to a forward facing seat after she turned 1 year old. She's 3 now and still uses it without fail when we go anywhere by car.

[aneezan]

Hey guys, I just got a used child seat for my 3 year old son from a close friend of mine. However, I am unable to figure out how to install it in my car. Could you please help me with a link for installation steps or instructions for various types of child seats?

[speedsatya]

While it's mentioned everywhere that the rear centre is the safest place to install child seats , our indian stores say you aren't supposed to install it in the center ! Mom and Me in Bangalore say they never heard of this before.

[latentpotential]

Originally Posted by aneezan

Hey guys, I just got a used child seat for my 3 year old son from a close friend of mine. However, I am unable to figure out how to install it in my car. Could you please help me with a link for installation steps or instructions for various types of child seats?

Post pics, brand and details of your car seat. Look at the sides/ bottom. There will be a label hidden somewhere with complete model details.

[amolpol]

Originally Posted by speedsatya

While it's mentioned everywhere that the rear centre is the safest place to install child seats , our indian stores say you aren't supposed to install it in the center ! Mom and Me in Bangalore say they never heard of this before.

I wouldn't recommend the rear center position unless you have a three point seat belt to mount it. Most Indian cars I've seen only have a lap belt at the center.

A better position is behind the driver seat if you are traveling with a co-passenger else behind the passenger seat if driving alone. That way you can keep an eye on your child and they can see you too.

[latentpotential]

Originally Posted by amolpol

I wouldn't recommend the rear center position unless you have a three point seat belt to mount it. Most Indian cars I've seen only have a lap belt at the center.

A better position is behind the driver seat if you are traveling with a co-passenger else behind the passenger seat if driving alone. That way you can keep an eye on your child and they can see you too.

Kindly revise your statement. Any good car seat infant product now (has been for last 8 years at least) comes with http://www.amazon.com/Graco-4045-Sea...pr_product_top included as well. This is a seat belt locking clip. Even if you use the lap belt, it can be locked into using this, so that there is no 'give/ stretch' of the belt, ensuring the seat is fixed tightly. I use this on the belt, and can also say that it has never loosened up even a bit.

For me, my infant is kept in the middle of the Ertiga. This way all travellers have equivalent access to play with him as well.

[amolpol]

Originally Posted by latentpotential

Kindly revise your statement.

Sorry about my ill advise, please follow what latentpotential has mentioned in his post since that seems to be a safer practice.

My daughter has now graduated to a booster seat which cant be used with just a lap belt. However, the infant and child seat we've used so far were always installed in the rear side positions so my advise was based on my personal experience. Reason why I never liked the 2 point harness was because the Safari had a harder back at the center seat due to the foldable armrest that affects the seating position and we were usually just 3 of us in the car.

PS> Most of the studies available online about child safety are done in developed countries where it is mandated to have three point seat belts for all seating positions. The center lap belt thing is more to do with countries like ours since it saves on cost for the manufacturer with a slight compromises on safety.