What age of children need a safety seat?
4 Answers
Safety seats are generally used for children over six months old, under eight years old, and weighing less than 36 kilograms. Below is relevant information about safety seats: 1. For children under six months old, their bone development is not yet complete, and the muscles in their back lack the strength to support them. Sitting in a safety seat at this stage can easily lead to accidents. 2. In reality, different countries have varying regulations regarding the use of child safety seats. Some specify age requirements, while others set standards based on the child's weight. China's new traffic regulations do not yet mandate the use of child safety seats, but certain regions have rules requiring children to use safety seats when traveling in vehicles. For example: 1. Hainan: The "Hainan Province Road Traffic Safety Violation Codes and Handling Regulations Manual" stipulates that driving a non-motor vehicle with a preschool child without using a safety seat will result in a fine of 30 yuan. 2. Shanghai: The "Shanghai Minors Protection Regulations," implemented on March 1, 2014, stipulate that minors under 12 years old are not allowed to sit in the front passenger seat, and minors under 4 years old must be equipped with and correctly use a child safety seat when riding in a family passenger vehicle.
When driving with my kids, I understand that a safety seat is a must, and children need to use it from birth until around 12 or 13 years old. Regulations recommend using a rear-facing seat for infants to protect their spine until they reach about 9 kg or one and a half years old; then switch to a forward-facing seat until around four or five years old; after that, use a booster seat until about ten years old or a height of 145 cm when they can use the seat belt. My child has used it since coming home from the hospital and has stuck with it without interruption. Don’t cut corners; safety seats absorb impact and reduce risks, so they must be installed securely. Make it a habit to check every time, even for short trips—data shows it can reduce accident injury rates by half. Keeping your car safe is a responsibility.
I'm quite clear about the necessity of using child safety seats in cars. Children under 12 years old or shorter than 145cm should always use one. Rear-facing seats are safest for infants - don't rush to switch; upgrade to forward-facing when they reach about 13kg; then use booster seats after age 4-5 until seat belts fit properly. I've seen cases where unrestrained children got injured during sudden braking. Always choose certified brands with ECE markings and ensure proper backrest positioning. Replace seats regularly when they get old - safety first is true peace of mind, and educate children to cooperate.
When I was learning to drive, the instructor emphasized the importance of child safety seats in cars. Infants should start with rear-facing seats, generally switching to forward-facing around one year old, and then stopping when they reach about eight years old and are tall enough. The law requires that children must meet certain weight and height standards to be exempt. Properly installed seats are comfortable and help children get used to them, as seat belts can choke smaller children, while booster seats provide much more stability. Don’t delay—use them every time you get in the car, so you can drive with peace of mind, even during sharp turns.
