Table of contents
What is the purpose of safety seats?1. Understand which type of seat to buy2. Decide on a budget3. Check for a proper fit4. Correct installation and use5 Tips for Ensuring Child Safety While DrivingFrequently Asked Questions
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A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing Child Car Seats

Many new parents choose to drive when going out to make it easier to care for their children. However, seat belts may only be suitable for children aged 10 to 12 years. Therefore, child safety seats are essential in the vehicle. So, how should we choose the appropriate safety seat for our children? This article compiles 4 key considerations for purchasing and installing child safety seats and 5 car safety tips on child care.

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What is the purpose of safety seats?

Although cars have built-in seat belts, children or infants often cannot secure the belt properly across their bodies. In the event of an accident, a regular seat belt will not withstand the force of impact. Therefore, to ensure that children are securely fastened, they should be placed in appropriate safety seats or restraint systems, which can reduce the risk of being ejected from the vehicle. The type of safety seat depends on the child's age and size, and we can refer to the Hong Kong Transport Department's child safety guidelines to find the most suitable type. Additionally, we must ensure that the safety seat is properly installed and that the seat belt fits snugly and securely around the child.

1. Understand which type of seat to buy

Before you start choosing, we strongly encourage you to carefully consider available options. As your child grows, the safety seat will need to be replaced accordingly. Your primary considerations should be the child's age, weight, and height.

• 12 months or younger

For infants under 9 kg who cannot sit up independently, they should lie flat in a rear-facing infant car seat or carrycot. If it is a car-specific infant car seat, it should be secured in the back seat using the manufacturer's provided straps or appropriate anchor points; otherwise, it should be placed sideways in the vehicle, with the infant's head positioned in the center of the car.

• Ages 9 months to 4 years

For children weighing 9 to 19 kg who can sit up, they should remain in a rear-facing child safety seat until they exceed the manufacturer's limits for height or weight, usually at around two years old. Rear-facing child safety seats protect a child's head, neck, and spine in the event of a collision or sudden stop.

There are two types of rear-facing child safety seats:

Type

Features

Dedicated Rear-Facing Car Seat

These seats are ideal for transferring children from the car to a stroller or from one car to another. They are usually lightweight and easy to carry, with a base that connects to the back seat, eliminating the need for straps and ties. If your family frequently travels together, this type of child safety seat provides the best safety and convenience.

Convertible Car Seat

These larger seats can be adjusted to be rear-facing. As the child grows, they can be converted to a forward-facing seat. One thing to note is that convertible car seats are bulkier and less portable.

• Ages 3 to 12 years

For children weighing 15 to 36 kg, they can use a child harness with a lap belt and two shoulder straps, or a booster seat with a basic seat belt.

2. Decide on a budget

Different shapes, sizes, brands, and manufacturers of safety seats are designed to protect your child. Depending on your needs, prices can range from basic child seats (around HKD $900) to those with leather padding or one-handed reclining features (around HKD $5,900).

3. Check for a proper fit

Child safety seats are not one-size-fits-all. Due to variations in car models, designs, and sizes, you may need to purchase a larger or smaller seat. For accuracy, we recommend measuring the space where you intend to install the car seat and comparing it to the bottom of the safety seat you wish to purchase. If buying from a retailer, you can also ask if you can test the displayed models in your vehicle to evaluate fit and comfort.

4. Correct installation and use

Once you choose the right seat, you can ask the store owner for assistance with installation. However, if they are unavailable, you can follow the rules provided with the safety seat, which may indicate the use of the vehicle's seat belt, ISOFIX, or LATCH system.

After installing the seat, ensure that the child is properly secured in it. Make sure the straps are adjusted correctly and that the seat belt comes from the appropriate slots. Once the child is positioned, the buckle should fit snugly to ensure the child is securely fastened.

5 Tips for Ensuring Child Safety While Driving

1. Install a Rearview Camera

Children are small and often end up in the driver’s blind spot. A rearview camera installed in the vehicle can reduce blind spot areas by up to 90%, helping to prevent collisions with children or objects when reversing.

2. Use Child Safety Locks

When the vehicle's safety locks are engaged, the doors cannot be opened from the inside. This effectively prevents curious children from opening doors or windows while the vehicle is in motion. Of course, you should also avoid letting children play with the car keys or leaving them unattended in the vehicle.

3. Secure Loose Items

Any loose items in the cargo area should be secured to prevent them from flying around during sudden braking or accidents.

4. Never Leave Children Alone in the Car

Always remain vigilant, as accidents can still happen even if you are not driving. Every year, there are cases of children being left in cars and suffering from heat exhaustion or even death. Therefore, always check the back seat before leaving the vehicle to ensure no child is left behind.

5. Purchase Appropriate Car Insurance

Although there is no insurance specifically designed for children, Hong Kong law requires all drivers to have car insurance. The most basic coverage is Third Party Liability Insurance, which provides up to HKD $100 million in compensation for third-party injuries or fatalities. On the other hand, Comprehensive Insurance covers third-party injuries or property damage as well as damage to your vehicle.

If traveling with children, it is best to purchase Comprehensive Insurance to cover both third parties and your own vehicle, ensuring full protection even if you are at fault in an accident.

Comparing the quotes from over 60 HK insurers, Kwiksure helps you choose the car insurance that best fits your requirements. Get a quote now!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a child safety seat?

When selecting a child safety seat, consider the child’s age, weight, and height. Infants over 12 months who weigh under 9 kg and cannot sit up should lie flat in a rear-facing infant car seat. For children aged 9 months to 4 years, weighing 9 to 19 kg who can sit up, they need to be in a rear-facing child safety seat until they exceed the manufacturer’s height or weight limits.

How can I ensure child safety while driving?

In addition to installing a child safety seat, car owners can install a rearview camera to reduce blind spots and use child safety locks to prevent doors from opening unexpectedly. Owners should also never leave children unattended in the vehicle to prevent accidents.

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The above information is for reference only. Kwiksure takes no responsibility for the accuracy and timeliness of the information. For the coverage, mode of compensation, benefit limit and premium levels of any specific insurance plan, please refer to the relevant policy terms.
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Author Kwiksure Team

Kwiksure is a licensed motor insurance brokerage company with over 20 years of experience in insurance. The company strives to simplify insurance and select the best insurance plans for customers that fit their budget and coverage needs.

Kwiksure provides a range of insurance products, including car insurance, motorcycle insurance, cross-border insurance between Hong Kong and Mainland China, home insurance, travel insurance, domestic helper insurance, and voluntary medical insurance. The team has been named "Best Car Insurance Broker" and "Outstanding Leadership Award" by various media outlets over the years.

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