What is a child seat belt adapter? Many motorists are concerned about this question. Any vehicle, and especially a personal car, is a certain danger. The children in it are especially vulnerable, since all the standard security systems with which the car is equipped are designed for an adult, and for a child they can be even more dangerous. Therefore, the legislature decided to additionally take care of the safety and health of babies. By law, children under 12 must be protected by special restraints.

The fast child seat belt adapter is one such device and can be an alternative to a child car seat. But before calling it a good alternative, you should understand all its advantages and disadvantages, and then make your choice regarding its expediency.

In fact, the so abstrusely named device is nothing more than an overlay for an ordinary adult seat belt in a car.

An adult belt is not suitable for children, because it goes just at the level of the neck or head of the baby, and in an accident it will become an even greater problem, cutting off the child's oxygen supply. It is to divert the hold line that the seat belt adapter is used. He lowers the belt to his stomach, and this mini seat belt for children comes out.

The adapter can be just a clasp with buttons, or it can have a special mount for the legs. And if in the first case, children weighing from 18 to 36 kilograms can use it, then the second involves the protection of almost a baby, whose weight ranges from 9 to 18 kilograms.

But specialized car seats for children have already passed the test of time and all sorts of crash tests, and for more than thirty years they have been holding the bar for the most reliable and stable protective devices. And they really save the child from serious injuries and dangers. The seat belt adapter for children is only gaining popularity in the service market, and has already managed to earn very unflattering reviews.

And if the main task is not just to brush off the traffic cops, but to really take care of the safety of your child, then you should weigh the pros and cons of such a device. And the list on both sides is quite impressive. So, it remains to be seen how much the child is at risk when using an adapter instead of a chair. What the manufacturers say.

Positive qualities of a child seat belt adapter

1. The seat belt adapter is very small and can easily fit even in a pocket or purse, which means that traveling with a baby in someone else's car will be safer and guaranteed possible for the baby.
2. This device is designed for different age categories of children, which means that the need to constantly change the chair when the child grows up disappears by itself. It will take only two adapters, just on the buttons and a triangle with straps for the legs. That will significantly save the family budget.
3. Compared to an adult seat belt, it is much stronger and more effective in protecting the child from head and cervical spine injuries.
4. Manufacturers say that the adaptation of the harness is so secure that you can put your baby right in the front seat next to you and not worry about his safety.

Product Disadvantages

What does the company that launched the child seat belt adapter for sale say about the shortcomings:

1. It does not provide side impact protection, unlike a full-fledged child car seat.
2. The effect of diving under the lower strap of the belt is enhanced.
3. The straps gather into folds and begin to hold the child a little worse.
4. There may be problems with regulators who find it difficult to prove the legitimacy of using such a device for the safety of a child.

Expert opinion

And now, in order, about what qualified specialists say about the new invention

First of all, you need to notice such a curious fact for yourself, which for some reason the manufacturers are in no hurry to clarify, the redirected load from the impact should fall on the baby's pelvic bones, then the probability of severe damage incompatible with life is the lowest. And what does the child fest seat belt adapter do instead?

Redirects the load on the baby's tummy, and with enough strong pressure little man immediately receives damage to all internal organs located in abdominal cavity. And if only this fact is not enough to make a choice in favor of a specialized car seat of a proven brand, then we go further and analyze other opinions of specialists.

Even if the blow was not so strong as to damage or touch any organs, the adapted belt now runs clearly along the line of the fold of the body, and a sufficiently adult child, folding naturally forward due to the inertia of movement in the lumbar region, runs the risk of hitting his head on the front seat, which hardly upholstered with foam rubber and plush, but has a very rigid back from the outside. So such a device also threatens with head injuries.

The creators talk about the effect of diving, this really takes place and could already alert an attentive parent. Allegedly saving the head and neck of the baby, the seat belt adapter creates the illusion of this very safety. Sliding a little lower, the child may find himself in an even more deplorable position with a tissue triangle on his neck or on his head, and here two moments of suffocation come at once, from squeezing the larynx or from covering the face with a dense tissue. And the manufacturers do not even hide this defect, and they will not be able to.

Conducted independent studies confirm the high probability of a child slipping under the belt and a fairly strong risk to the life and health of children.

Another important fact. Almost ninety percent of all collisions and accidents are directed to the side of the car. The percentage of frontal impact is so miserable that it is simply stupid to hope to get into this percentage. And in the shortcomings it is written that the adapter does not provide protection against side impacts, only a chair is suitable for these needs, since it has special soft sides and two cross-lock straps, which allows the child to stay in place with any bumps and shakes.

It's time to make a choice

Although the seat belt adapter is much cheaper and more convenient to use, the life of the child is more expensive. Moreover, such a lotion for a car is even more dangerous for a child than just a trip without a retainer. By the way, the adapter is completely contrary to the guest that it is allowed to use, and more specifically, GOST 41.44-2005. It seems that the choice is obvious, and it is clearly in favor of the chair.

If you plan to carry a child in a car, then you seriously need to take care of his safety. Being in transport baby must be strapped in. Sometimes this moment can cause a lot of discontent in your crumbs.

In order for the baby to feel absolutely safe and comfortable, various child restraints have been created for different ages. But what exactly are these devices, we will try to figure it out, highlighting all the pros and cons of these devices.

How to transport kids?

When traveling, every parent puts the safety of their child first. The child's body is at the stage of formation and it is less strong than in adults. Therefore, getting even a minor injury can later result in a serious problem.

Can it be fastened with a regular belt?

As for the question “is it possible to fasten a child with a regular belt?”, Here, undoubtedly, one can answer that it is possible if there is no other alternative. Such fastening should be an isolated case, since standard car belts can greatly harm the baby. Keep in mind that they are not designed for a child's body either in shape or size.

To hold or not to hold?

When moving a vehicle, many people think that it is possible to ensure the safety of a child by placing her in her arms.

On the one hand, this is true, but if we analyze a little, we get a completely different situation:

Types of DUU

The issue of child safety while traveling by car remains one of the most relevant and discussed. Many scientific organizations and institutes spend a lot of time creating general requirements and characteristics for child restraints.

1. «0» - a restraint device that is used for newborns until they learn to sit. In another way, I call it "cradle". You need to install it against the movement, secure it with a seat belt. The child in it is in a prone position.
2. «0+» - such a device is used for babies under one year old, whose height does not exceed 80 cm. It is also installed against traffic and secured with a belt. The child should be reclining in it and be secured with additional belts.
3. "one"- a device in this category is called a "car seat" and it is designed for ages from 9 months to 4 years. It can already be installed in the direction of travel and it has several backrest positions, which is very convenient for long journeys.
4. "2"- a device for children 3-7 years old. You can also install in the direction of travel. The back in it no longer changes position.
5. "3"- this type of device is already intended for children from 6 to 12 years old. When the child grows up, the backrest in such devices is removed, and the seat is fixed in the car. Such devices are called "booster".
6. Convertible devices. Their peculiarity is that they can be installed both in the direction of traffic and against, depending on the age of the child.

There are very important point when choosing child restraints. The fact is that those devices that can be installed against the movement provide much greater security than those installed along the movement. Some of these child restraints are designed for children up to 12 kg. Consider this point when choosing a device, and ensure the safety of your baby.

Booster

This child restraint is a seat that is installed in the vehicle. Sitting on it, you fasten the child with a standard seat belt. The advantages of such a seat are that it lifts the baby and the securing strap will not be in the neck area.

But again, the creators of regular belts calculated their holding power for an adult. By attaching the child, the belt can have a squeezing effect during an emergency, thereby harming the child much more.

Baby chair

The child car seat is recognized as the safest restraint. They are designed for children weighing up to 36 kg.

But when choosing such a device, consider the following factors:

• Child's height. The back of the chair has special protrusions for the lower back. Choosing the wrong model, the child will feel uncomfortable in it.
• The kid should not be low and he should have a view from the window.
• The belts must properly fix the child.

There are two options for securing chairs:

1. Stationary seat belts. They make it possible to fix the car seat in absolutely any vehicle.
2. Fastening system. This type of system can be installed in the vehicle by the manufacturer. If it is not available, you can install it yourself. With its help, the chair is installed easily and simply.

regular belt

A regular seat belt can be used if the child is old enough and does not want to sit in a car seat. Plus, it is desirable to use the belt in combination with other devices.

Belt Benefits:

1. During an impact, the belt performs a protective function against contact with various elements in the cabin.
2. The impact force in an accident is distributed to the strongest parts of the body.
3. Helps the child to stay inside the cabin and in his place in the event of a collision.
4. Protection against impact with neighboring passengers.

When fastening a child with a belt, consider its appropriateness for the age and size of the baby. An important element in the belt should be belt adjuster.

The standard seat belt that is included with every vehicle is for adults only. Such a belt can harm a child in an accident, providing enough swipe in the region of the heart and lungs.

That is why special children's straps have been developed that can provide the necessary protection. Such straps pull together the branches of the main belt, which is completely safe for the child. And also they can be used as additional protection in child car seats.

Adapters are the second mounting option. They are a triangle that is worn on the main belt.

Child adapter

The use of such a security tool is gaining more and more popularity every year. This is a kind of separate device for fixing, which allows you to change the position of the branches of the main stationary belt.

This triangular device is worn on the belt and fastened with buttons or Velcro. The adapter helps to remove the diagonal line of the belt from the baby's neck and reduces the risk of injury.

Positive points in using the adapter:

Among the main disadvantages are:

• The adapter should not be used in older vehicles as their belts do not have horizontal straps.
• Compared to car seats, the adapter does not provide additional protection for the head, which can lead to injury during an impact;
• The body of the child is much worse protected;
• Not comfortable to use until the child is over 100 cm. Straps need to be adjusted constantly.
• There may be problems with the traffic police, as it is likely that you will have to prove that the use of such devices is allowed by the traffic rules.

Popular models (list, explanation, price)

The modern market is represented by dozens of adapter models from various manufacturers, which have significant differences in price and quality.

Let's look at the main models that have gained the most popularity among parents:

1. baby. The main advantage of such adapters is the possibility of their use in 4 summer age. The triangle itself has high strength, and is filled with a special material that can reduce pressure on the child's thoracic region. Washable and long lasting. Average price 300 rubles .
2. Fest. These adapters are from a Russian manufacturer. They have passed all strength tests. The only disadvantage of such models is that they cannot be used on cross belts. Price in the area 490 rubles .
3. Antey. The feature of fastening on stationary belts makes it possible to evenly distribute pressure on the thoracic region. These adapters use washable material, which is very convenient when caring for it. Price about 500 rubles.
4. Ganen. These models are not characterized by a high price. They can be applied to any type of belt. Made from durable materials. Suitable for children from 4 to 12 years old. Price within 400 rubles.

How to choose a seat belt for a baby?

A few rules to follow when choosing a child seat belt:

DUU and traffic rules

If you carefully study the rules traffic, it clearly states that the only permitted restraints are child car seats and boosters.

As for adapters and special belts, nothing is specified in the rules, and, therefore, it is undesirable to use them and can lead to fines in the region of 500 rubles.

Meetings with traffic police officers in our country are not uncommon, which means that every time you will be issued a similar fine. It is much more profitable to spend money on a chair once, thereby providing reliable protection to your baby.

Outcome

Having studied all models of child restraints, you have the opportunity to choose the most suitable option for your child.

Follow all the rules, and the safety of your baby will be ensured:

1. When choosing a DUU, always consider the age of your crumbs. In order for seat belts to be most effective, they must be appropriate for the age and weight parameters of the child.
2. Never use this device who has been in an emergency. The reliability of such devices remains in doubt.
3. When you use a child seat, you do not need to fasten its upper part. It will cause the waist belt to shift, putting pressure on the abdomen.
4. The seat belt must never touch the neck or head.. Do not forget about the correct adjustment.
5. It is safest to place any restraints in the back seat, and children younger age it is better to transport in car seats.
6. Remember that children should always be in your field of vision. even if they are wearing seat belts.

The legislator has provided special conditions for the safe transportation of children under 12 years of age. Carrying a child in the front seat is only necessary in a special restraint. You can also use other fastening devices in the back seat. A “seat belt fine” can be obtained not only for not using it, but also for incorrect choice method of transporting the child.

In contact with

Important! When choosing a car seat, pay attention to seat belts. What are child seat belts for cars?

All car seats are divided into several groups depending on the age of the child. But this criterion is very conditional, like weight. You need to focus on growth. Why? The fact is that the seat belts built into the car are designed for certain parameters of the passenger. They will become effective and life-saving only if they are fixed correctly. Otherwise, the seat belt can cause even more harm.

The seat belt is designed for a minimum height of 150 cm. Then it will pass over the person’s shoulder, and in the event of a collision, the load will be evenly distributed on the body.

Now almost all cars have inertial seat belts that hold a person in the seat when jerking forward. But all these mechanisms will work with an adult. Not only will they not save the child, but they will cripple even more. How to be?

For the safety of children in the car, there are special means:

• child car seats of different age categories;
• booster;
• seat belt adapter.

Certainly the most the best option is a car seat. It is designed for children up to 36 kg. But always consider your child's height. Do not rush to seat your child in an adult seat for several reasons:

• anatomically, the seat back is not provided for growth below 150 cm (the protrusions for the lower back will be at the level of the shoulder blades);
• the child will sit low and will not be able to look out the window;
• incorrect seat belts.

Car seats are attached in two ways:

• ISOFIX system
• standard seat belts.

Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Thus, the ISOFIX system can only be installed in a car where such an attachment is provided. An indisputable plus is the ease of installation of the chair. After all, one good car seat not enough, it is important to fix it correctly.

Fastening with regular seat belts will allow you to use the chair in almost any car. Some cars don't have rear seat belts. Installing seat belts will take a little time and effort.

Be sure to check if the car seat fits the belt and seat of your car.

The smallest passengers are secured with car seat belts. Some manufacturers suggest using special tables instead. And older children are fastened with car seat belts.

What kind of internal belts do car seats have?

Five-point belts are provided in almost all chairs of groups 0, 0+, 1. Such a belt will fix the child as much as possible from all sides. But for long trips this option can be tiring for toddlers. After all, belts immobilize the child almost completely.

Fixing the child in five points justifies itself, because even sports seat belts are five-point. Such belts will prevent the child from slipping out under the force of impact, and will ensure retention in the chair even when the car is turned over.

Four-point seat belts differ little from the previous type. Also used in sports cars, less common in car seats.

The seat belt buckle in child car seats should be padded so that in an accident the buckle does not press on the baby's fragile stomach. Children often play with the lock, so it must be securely latched so that the child cannot open it himself while traveling.

The seat belt in the car seat cannot be replaced. If the car has been in an accident, the seat can no longer be used. The same applies to belts. Any damage to them will call into question the functionality of the chair itself.

Repairing seat belts and car seats is an unreasonable risk. It's better to buy a new one. For the same reasons, it is not recommended to use used chairs. Only if it is known for certain that the car seat has not been in an accident.

After 4 years, the child is fastened with car seat belts. Can three-point seat belts be used for children? There are no restrictions if the child is taller than 150 cm. For other children, use a group 2 and 3 car seat, a seat belt adapter or a booster.

Car seats for older children are like car seats. The child sits high, the chair is maximally adapted to his body, the headrest fixes his head. As a rule, such seats do not have their own belts, so the child is fastened with car belts.

It is important that the regular belt of the machine runs along the shoulder and chest of the child, and not the neck. In order to raise the child, a car seat is used, and when it becomes small, a booster is used.

A booster is the base of a chair without a back. It gives the child growth so that the straps are fixed in the right place. The booster can be purchased as a separate item, and some models of car seats provide for the possibility of independent use of the seat of the chair without a back.

Do not use pillows for this purpose. They can move out, and the booster is attached to the seat in the same way as a car seat.

Another tool for the correct position of the car belt is an adapter.

An adapter is a special fastener on a belt that fixes it in the desired position on the child, lowering it to chest level. There are situations when it is not possible to use a car seat (a taxi ride, using someone else's car). An adapter can help.

Still, you should not use it instead of a car seat all the time. Tests have not proven its 100% success rate. In addition, be careful when choosing an adapter.

FEST child seat belts comply with state and international standards and have been officially tested.

The best way to make driving safe for your child is to use a car seat. It is in this version that the most reliable seat belts for the child are thought out.

Adapters, three-point car seat belts do not provide for all points. The child may move under the lower strap during the impact. Children's cervical vertebrae may not withstand the stress of a collision, when the unsecured head abruptly goes back and then forward.

Don't skimp on safety. Fasten yourself and your child properly.