In 2019, over 800 children under the age of 6 were involved in road accidents in Poland — 22 of them died from their injuries. While most accidents are caused by driver error, the choice of car seat plays a crucial role. Children who travel in safe and properly installed seats have a significantly higher chance of surviving a crash. Learn how to choose the right car seat for your child.
Selecting a car seat should be based on thorough research. Transporting your precious child in a random or low-quality model could cost them their life. Instead of testing a seat on your own child, find out how to choose the safest option available.
Selecting a car seat should be based on thorough research. Transporting your precious child in a random or low-quality model could cost them their life. Instead of testing a seat on your own child, find out how to choose the safest option available.
Basic legal regulations regarding child car seats
The transportation of minors in motor vehicles is regulated by Polish road traffic law. According to Article 39, paragraph 3, in a passenger car, every child under 150 cm in height must be transported in an appropriate child car seat.
The law allows exceptions where a child may travel without a car seat, but only if:
It’s not possible to install three seats in the rear. In this case, the third child, aged at least 3 years, may sit in the middle seat and be secured only with a seat belt.
The child is traveling in a taxi, ambulance, fire truck, police vehicle, or vehicle belonging to the Border Guard or municipal police.
The child has a medical certificate indicating that using a child seat is not advisable due to health reasons.
All child restraint systems used must comply with technical requirements defined by European safety standards — ECE R44-04 or the newer ECE R129 (i-Size).
The law allows exceptions where a child may travel without a car seat, but only if:
It’s not possible to install three seats in the rear. In this case, the third child, aged at least 3 years, may sit in the middle seat and be secured only with a seat belt.
The child is traveling in a taxi, ambulance, fire truck, police vehicle, or vehicle belonging to the Border Guard or municipal police.
The child has a medical certificate indicating that using a child seat is not advisable due to health reasons.
All child restraint systems used must comply with technical requirements defined by European safety standards — ECE R44-04 or the newer ECE R129 (i-Size).
Adjusting the car seat to the child’s weight
There are many different models of child restraint systems available on the market. To help caregivers make the right choice, these products are divided into weight-based categories. The most common are:
Group 0 – designed for infants from birth to around 1 year old or weighing up to 13 kg
Group 1 – suitable for toddlers aged 1 to about 4 years or weighing 9–18 kg
Group 2 – intended for preschoolers aged 4 to 6 years or weighing 18–25 kg
Group 3 – recommended for older children aged 6 to 12 years or weighing 25–36 kg
Always remember to choose a car seat that matches your child’s weight. This is essential to ensure safe travel and effective protection in the event of a collision.
Group 0 – designed for infants from birth to around 1 year old or weighing up to 13 kg
Group 1 – suitable for toddlers aged 1 to about 4 years or weighing 9–18 kg
Group 2 – intended for preschoolers aged 4 to 6 years or weighing 18–25 kg
Group 3 – recommended for older children aged 6 to 12 years or weighing 25–36 kg
Always remember to choose a car seat that matches your child’s weight. This is essential to ensure safe travel and effective protection in the event of a collision.
Car seats available at Sparco Kids:
CAR SEATS 0–18 KG
CAR SEATS 0–36 KG
CAR SEATS 9–25 KG
CAR SEATS 9–36 KG
CAR SEATS 15–36 KG
CAR SEATS 0–18 KG
CAR SEATS 0–36 KG
CAR SEATS 9–25 KG
CAR SEATS 9–36 KG
CAR SEATS 15–36 KG
Car seat – how to install it?
The safety of young passengers also depends on how the car seat is installed. Neglecting this aspect can lead to serious — or even tragic — consequences.
The installation method varies depending on the seat model. Before placing the child seat inside the vehicle, make sure to remove any blankets, objects, or other items from the back seat that could affect the seat’s stability.
The installation method varies depending on the seat model. Before placing the child seat inside the vehicle, make sure to remove any blankets, objects, or other items from the back seat that could affect the seat’s stability.
An infant car seat should be:
Installed rear-facing (this position is recommended for children up to 4 years old)
Positioned so that the base fits snugly against the car seat
Secured with the vehicle’s seat belt, and the harness should be pulled tight to eliminate any slack
If the model includes a support leg, it should be placed firmly on the car floor — be sure to remove any rubber mats or padding beforehand
If the seat has a carrying handle, it should be placed in a horizontal position during travel
Installed rear-facing (this position is recommended for children up to 4 years old)
Positioned so that the base fits snugly against the car seat
Secured with the vehicle’s seat belt, and the harness should be pulled tight to eliminate any slack
If the model includes a support leg, it should be placed firmly on the car floor — be sure to remove any rubber mats or padding beforehand
If the seat has a carrying handle, it should be placed in a horizontal position during travel
Car seats for older children should be:
Installed forward-facing (this position is recommended for children over 4 years of age)
Pushed as close as possible to the seat back
Placed in a spot with access to a three-point seat belt. The belt should be positioned through the correct guides
Secured even when the child is not in the car, to prevent the seat from moving during sudden stops or accidents
Installed forward-facing (this position is recommended for children over 4 years of age)
Pushed as close as possible to the seat back
Placed in a spot with access to a three-point seat belt. The belt should be positioned through the correct guides
Secured even when the child is not in the car, to prevent the seat from moving during sudden stops or accidents
A great solution is to choose car seats with the ISOFIX system. This special installation method secures the seat directly to the vehicle’s chassis, preventing it from shifting while driving. ISOFIX-installed models are considered safer than those mounted using only seat belts.
New or used? Which car seat should you choose?
A child’s car seat should always come from a trusted store. It’s essential to be certain that the product has never been involved in an accident — not even a minor one! Avoid buying seats from random individuals on online marketplaces or social media groups. Even if the seat looks fine on the outside, it’s not worth risking your child’s life.
Drivers who transport a child without an appropriate car seat may face a fine and penalty points, but the consequences can be far more serious. A child who is improperly secured can lose their life in an accident. This is something to keep in mind every single day.
Drivers who transport a child without an appropriate car seat may face a fine and penalty points, but the consequences can be far more serious. A child who is improperly secured can lose their life in an accident. This is something to keep in mind every single day.