Which position should the child seat be installed in?
3 Answers
Child safety seats should be placed in the rear seat near the door. Here is some information about child safety seats: 1. Car child safety seats, also known as Child Restraint Systems (CRS), are specially designed seats for children of different ages, installed in vehicles to effectively enhance child passenger safety. 2. According to European Regulation ECE-R44/03, a child safety seat is defined as: a device that can be secured to a motor vehicle. 3. It is a child safety protection system consisting of buckle-equipped seat belt components or flexible parts, adjustment mechanisms, accessories, etc. 4. It can be combined with additional devices such as portable cribs, infant carriers, booster seats, or impact shields. 5. In the event of a car collision or sudden deceleration, it helps reduce the impact force on children and limits their body movement to minimize injuries, ensuring the safety of children during travel.
This is quite important. As a parent with a newborn, I’d like to share my experience installing a child seat. The first choice is the middle position in the back row, as it’s the farthest from all four doors and offers the most buffer space in case of a side collision, making it the safest for the child. If the car model doesn’t have an ISOFIX interface in the middle, install it behind the driver’s seat—firstly, drivers instinctively protect their own side, and secondly, when parking by the roadside, the child won’t be exposed to traffic when getting in or out. Remember, never place it in the front seat—an airbag deployment could instantly eject the child. After installation, shake it vigorously to test its stability; movement should not exceed 2 centimeters to be considered secure.
My baby is two and a half years old, and we've changed the car seat position three times. Initially, it was placed behind the front passenger seat so mom could easily turn around to comfort the child, but we found the back seat space became extremely cramped. Later, we moved it to the middle position—though installation was a bit more troublesome—adults could attend to the child from either side, and the child had a broader view. Now, with a booster seat, it's fixed behind the driver's seat, making it safer to pick up the child from the sidewalk side when getting out of the car. It's recommended to adjust the position according to the child's age: the middle is best for infants, while toddlers can be placed on either side. When installing, always tighten the seatbelt until you hear a click to ensure it's securely locked—this detail is particularly important.
