Until What Age Should Children Use Safety Seats?
3 Answers
Child safety seats are suitable for children under six years old. More information about child safety seats is as follows: 1. Child safety seats are generally used for children between six months and eight years old, weighing less than 36 kilograms. 2. Car child safety seats, also known as Child Restraint Systems (CRS), are specially designed seats for children of different ages, installed in cars to effectively improve children's riding safety. 3. Car child safety seats can reduce the impact force on children and limit their body movement in the event of a car collision or sudden deceleration, thereby minimizing injuries and ensuring children's riding safety.
There is no one-size-fits-all standard for the age of using child safety seats. It is generally recommended that children should use safety seats until at least eight years old or reach a height of about 145 cm, but the specific decision should be based on the child's weight and developmental condition. In most countries, laws require infants to use rear-facing safety seats until they are two years old or meet the weight requirement, then switch to forward-facing seats, and finally transition to booster seats. Personally, I believe safety is the top priority. We shouldn't rush to switch to regular seats just because the child is a bit older. Studies show that young children's bones are softer, and safety seats can effectively reduce the risk of head and spinal injuries in car accidents. Many parents complain that their children don't like sitting in them, feeling restrained, but once the habit is formed, they will cooperate willingly. It's advisable to regularly check if the safety seat is installed correctly and inspect for any wear or looseness. If the child grows quickly, consulting a professional early to adjust the settings is a safer approach.
As a father of two, I believe children should use car seats at least until kindergarten or first grade. My younger child, already over six years old, is still using a booster seat. I remember once when my eldest almost flew out during a sharp turn, but thankfully the car seat held them in place. Experts generally recommend keeping kids in car seats until around eight years old, but it really depends on the child's size—once they exceed 48 kilograms, they can switch to regular seats. At first, installing and switching seats might seem troublesome, but you'll get used to it. Many new car models now come with ISOFIX interfaces, making installation even easier. The key is not to get lazy and switch seats too early—you might regret it in case of an accident. I also teach my kids to buckle up when I'm driving, because safety awareness starts from childhood.
