Child seats: keeping your child safe in the car
Children are three times more likely to suffer an injury in a car accident when they are unrestrained. Comparis tells you what you need to know about child car seats, keeping you and your children safe on the road.
28.06.2021
iStock / Drazen_
Every year, more than 300 children are involved in car accidents in Switzerland. Half of all children are not properly restrained and one in fourteen has no child restraint at all. Make sure your child is properly protected when travelling in the car.
What does the law say about children travelling in the car?
Children up to 12 years of age and under 150 centimetres in height must travel in a special child car seat. Only when they exceed one of these two limits are they are allowed to use a normal seat belt. Failure to ensure that your child is properly restrained in your car can result in a fine of 60 francs.
The regulations on child restraints are based on the age and weight of the child:
| Age range | Weight | Type of restraint | Max. service life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 0+ 0-1.5 years |
0-13 kg | Infant carrier | 5 years |
| Group 1 1.5-4 years |
9-18 kg | Child seat | 6 years |
| Group 2/3 5-12 years |
15-36 kg | Booster seat (with or without backrest) | 9 years |
You'll find a summary of this information in the brochure “Driving with children” available from TCS.
How safe are child seats?
Child seats are subject to safety regulations (in German only). There are currently two safety regulations in use:
ECE R44
This classifies child seats by the child's weight (e.g. 0-12 kg).
The child can be forward-facing from 9 kg.
ECE R129, i-Size (since 1 January 2014)
This classifies child seats based on the child's height (e.g. up to 100 cm).
Rear-facing travel is mandatory for children up to 15 months.
Seats must be tested for side impact protection.
Universal approval is possible for Isofix child seats with support leg (can only be used on seats labelled “i-Size compatible”).
Both of these safety regulations co-exist in the market at the moment. Child seats complying with ECE R44.03 or .04 (from 1995) are still permitted.
You can therefore continue to use an older child seat. Please note, however, that child car seats have an expiry date. Material fatigue (porous expanded polystyrene, for example) can be a safety issue. This is why TCS recommends a maximum service life for child car seats (see table above).
The ECE R129 standard supports Isofix anchor points. These come as standard in most cars and make installing the child seat much easier.
What child seat do I need for my child?
The only safe way of carrying your youngest passengers is in an infant carrier. The latest ECE R129 standard says that infants up to 15 months must travel in a rear-facing position. The carrier should be secured with a three-point belt or Isofix connector, ideally on the rear seat. Important: if you put the infant carrier on the front passenger seat, you must deactivate the front airbag.
Children up to about five years of age normally travel in a forward-facing child seat with a built-in harness system. It's important to make sure that the seat is fixed securely to the car. You should also check that your Isofix child seat is compatible with your vehicle. Many car seat manufacturers publish lists showing which seats are approved for which cars. Different systems are available: harness systems (five-point belts) and seats with an impact shield.
Larger children, from about five years and up, should have a child seat with a backrest for optimum safety and greater comfort. A simple booster seat is permitted, although it doesn't offer any protection in the event of a side impact. These are secured with a normal three-point belt. You can use these seats for children up to 12 years or 150 centimetres in height. The weight of the child is less relevant.
You should always move up to the next age range as soon as your child's head starts to protrude above the child seat.
Can I put a child seat on the front passenger seat?
The rear seats are the safest place in a car. However, children are permitted to travel in the passenger seat regardless of their age. Also, it's easier to keep your eye on a baby when it's in the front seat and you're on your own.
What's the best way to restrain my child?
First, you need a child seat that's suitable for the size and age of the child. When you fit it, follow the instructions supplied with the child seat as well as those in your vehicle handbook. It's important to make sure that the belt is tight and correctly positioned. It should fit as snugly as possible around the child's body. Thick winter clothes make that difficult. It's therefore a good idea to take winter coats off when you're in the car.
The following videos show you how to secure your child correctly:
Checklist: how do I find the right child seat?
Weigh your child and measure their height. Select a seat based on this information.
For a quality guide, check out the TCS child seat tests (in German, French and Italian only). These tests are regularly updated.
Find out what seats can be installed in your car. Is Isofix an option?Your vehicle must be included in the child seat's approved vehicle list.
Try the seat out to see if it fits in your car. Check that the belt is long enough and that you can secure the seat firmly in place. It mustn't be able to rock or slip.
Let your child try it out. Check how easy it is to place your child in the seat, and to secure and adjust the straps.
Make sure that the seat you have chosen has an ECE-R test label. These labels are usually orange and attached to the seat itself.
Tip: a removable cover makes it easier to keep the seat clean.
What should I look for when buying a car?
The most important criterion for anyone looking for a new family car is probably size. So think about how many child seats will fit. The back seat of most cars can accommodate two child seats. It gets a bit trickier if you need to fit three.
Check that the child seats can be securely fitted. Newer vehicles are equipped with Isofix connectors. Make sure there are enough for your needs.
Check also whether you can disable the front passenger airbag. You must disable the airbag whenever you place a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat.
More tips on travelling with children in the car
Car journeys with children can be stressful. Sitting still for long periods is not something that comes naturally to them. So take some books or toys with you on the journey. These will help entertain your children while you concentrate on the road.
Make sure also that your children are sitting comfortably in their seats. The straps must be tight. Winter coats compromise the effectiveness of safety restraints (and this doesn’t just apply to children). So make sure it's warm enough inside the car.
Important: before travelling abroad, read up on the regulations on child seats in various countries (in German only).