At What Age Can Child Safety Seats Be Used?
4 Answers
Child safety seats can be used starting at 1 year old, and are generally suitable for children from birth to 14 years of age. Car child safety seats, also known as child restraint systems, are specially designed seats for children of different ages (or weights) that are installed in cars to effectively improve child passenger safety. Child safety seats can be combined with additional devices such as portable cribs, infant carriers, auxiliary seats, or collision protectors. In the event of a car collision or sudden deceleration, child safety seats can reduce the impact force on children and limit their body movement to minimize injuries, ensuring the safety of child passengers.
Child safety seats should indeed be used from the very first day your baby is born! When we first brought our little one home, we used a rear-facing infant seat to protect their tiny body from impact injuries. Babies are most vulnerable between 0-2 years old, so it's recommended to stick with this type of seat until they exceed 13 kg in weight or reach the seat's height limit. After that, switch to a forward-facing seat, which can be used until around age 4. Then, until the child turns 7 or reaches 145 cm in height, a booster seat should be used. The key point is not to rely solely on age—selection should be based on weight and height since every child grows at a different pace. Safety data also shows that correctly installed seats can reduce the risk of child fatalities by 70%. In short, from birth to early elementary school, this protection is essential to keep your child safe as they grow.
I believe child safety seats should be used from the moment a baby is born. That's how I raised my child. Starting from the hospital day, we used a rear-facing infant seat, which is much safer than being held by an adult as it absorbs impact forces. In terms of age, it's typically used until about 1 year old, then switched to a forward-facing seat once the weight requirement is met; after 4 years old, transition to a booster seat until 7-8 years old or when the child is tall enough. Legally, this is emphasized too - in China, safety seats are mandatory from birth to 4 years old, followed by boosters until around 12 years old. But in real life, what matters more is the child's physical size: for instance, consider a booster when weight exceeds 18kg. When choosing seats, don't cheap out on outdated models; look for quality products that meet standards. Don't wait for an accident to regret it - make it a habit for your child to use the safety seat every car ride.
The usage period of child safety seats generally starts from birth and lasts until around 8 years old. For the first few months, a rear-facing infant seat should be used to protect the baby's spine. When the child reaches about 1 year old and weighs approximately 9 kilograms, switching to a forward-facing seat is better. After 4 years old, transition to a booster seat until the child reaches about 145 cm in height or 8 years of age. This process depends on the child's development, with weight being a good indicator. According to safety standards, seat types are divided into stages: rear-facing for infants, convertible for toddlers, and boosters for older children. Regarding installation, ensure the seat is tightly secured and the seat belt is not too loose. Parents should be careful not to remove the seat too early to prevent children from sliding and getting injured in the car.
