Carrying children safely

For optimal protection in the event of a crash, all passengers must be seated and wearing adequate restraint systems.

This is even more important for children.

According to 2003/20/EC Directive, this prescription is compulsory for all European Community countries. Compared with adults, their head is proportionally larger and heavier than the rest of the body, while the muscles and bone structure are not completely developed. Therefore, correct restraint systems are necessary, other then adult seat belts.

The results of research on the best child restraint systems are contained in the European Standard ECER44. This Standard enforces the use of restraint systems classified in five groups:

Group 0 0-10 kg in weight
Group 0+ 0-13 kg in weight
Group 1 9-18 kg in weight
Group 2 15-25 kg in weight
Group 3 22-36 kg in weight

As it may be noted, the groups overlap partly and in fact, in commerce it is possible to find devices that cover more than one weight group.

All restraint devices must bear the certification data, together with the control brand, on a solidly fixed label which must absolutely never be removed.

Over 1.50 m in height from the point of view of restraint systems, children are considered as adults and wear the seat belts normally.

Lineaccessori Fiat offers seats for each weight group. These seats are the recommended choice, as they have been designed and experimented specifically for Fiat cars.

WARNING

SERIOUS DANGER: Never place cradle child’s seats on the front passenger seat of cars fitted with passenger’s air bag since the air bag could cause serious injuries, even mortal. You are advised to carry children always on the rear seat, as this is the most protected position in the case of a crash. In any case, children’s seats must absolutely not be fitted on the front seat of cars with passenger’s air bag, which during inflation could cause serious injury, even mortal, regardless of the seriousness of the crash that triggered it.

WARNING

In case of need, on cars provided with front passenger's air bag deactivation, a child can be carried on the front seat. In this case it is absolutely necessary to check the sure that deactivation has actually taken place (see paragraph “Front and side air warning light to make sure that deactivation has actually taken place (see paragraph “Front and side air bags” at item “Front passenger’s air bag”). The front passenger’s seat shall be adjusted in the most backward position to prevent any contact between child’s seat and dashboard.

See also:

Floor Mat Safety Information
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Flashing the headlights
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