A baby booster is a car seat that does not have a back. With it, the baby can be raised higher on average by a height of 10 centimeters, making it possible to fasten it with a regular rear seat belt. If you just put the child on the seat and fasten it with a belt, then the child will simply touch the face of your child. In addition, this fixation method is very dangerous! The standard belt will only perform its function correctly if it rests on the shoulder.
According to the European classification, a booster for a child is intended for a group 2/3. It will be the best use case for children with a weight category of 15 to 45 kilograms. The baby booster should only be installed in the back seat of the car. An important condition for using the device is the presence of three-point seat belts in the car . The booster is usually placed in the back seat, then a child is seated on it and a seat belt is put on. If this kind of car seat has a low cost, then its safety is low. In order for the booster for the child to have a high degree of protection, you should choose high-quality models from well-known manufacturers.
The main types of boosters for children
- Foam booster. This type has a low cost and the same quality. In the event of an accident, this device will simply crack, and the baby will dive under the belt, thereby accepting an unacceptable amount of load on its abdominal cavity.
- Plastic-based boosters. This kind is quite safe, but provided that it is made of high quality plastic and stiffeners are present inside.
- Boosters made of several layers of a variety of absorbent materials. This is the safest view. An ideal option would be a multilayer device based on metal. Such a structure includes: a metal base, energy-absorbing material, polyurethane and a soft layer for greater comfort.
When choosing a booster for transporting children, you should pay attention to the following factors: the method of attachment is better than the one that is tougher; the presence of soft layers to ensure comfort; the height of the armrests - the higher the better.
The main advantages of boosters:
low price;- compact size and light weight;
- convenience for the child.
Also among the advantages it should be noted that due to its compactness, several such devices can fit in the back seat of the car.
Main disadvantages
- No booster protects the child from a side impact.
- The kid, sitting on the booster, is raised above the seat, thereby during an accident he may hit his head on the glass, and not on the safety door upholstery.
- Crash tests of boosters are performed according to a simplified program, because experts do not want to spoil expensive mannequins during tests.
Some selection criteria
It should be remembered that when choosing a device such as a car booster for children, the price will be of no small importance. For example, boosters for 300-400 rubles are a cheap low-quality fake with a foam frame. This kind is better not to buy, because it has a low degree of security. This type of product with a price of at least 1000 rubles has average quality. Really good boosters cost from 1,500 to 2,800 rubles. But in stores you can find some more expensive types.
In our country, the most popular in price and quality are the devices of such companies as Graco, Brevi, Cleg, CAM.