In India, while the enforcement of child safety measures like car seats is still evolving, growing awareness and advocacy efforts are driving change. Organizations are increasingly championing the use of car seats, aligning with global safety standards to ensure better protection for children on the roads.
Car seats play a crucial role in safeguarding children during accidents. According to international safety guidelines, children under the age of 12 are significantly more vulnerable without appropriate restraints. With road accidents being a leading cause of child fatalities in India, the importance of car seats as a preventive measure cannot be overstated.
Recognizing this critical need, Chicco has developed specialized car seats designed to prioritize child safety. To delve deeper into the significance of car seats and the innovations by Chicco, we spoke with Rajesh Vohra, CEO of Artsana India, supported by insights from the Chicco Research Centre.
Q1. Can you explain why car seats are crucial for child safety in vehicles, particularly on Indian roads?
Car seats are essential for protecting children on the road. Unlike adults, children’s bodies are still developing, making them more susceptible to injury in case of sudden braking or impact. Car seats are specially designed to support and secure young children safely, distributing impact force in a way that regular seat belts just can’t.
With the growing development of highways and overall improvement in road infrastructure, travel speeds are also increasing. While this progress is promising, it also emphasizes the need for child safety measures in vehicles. Car seats provide that critical layer of security, ensuring young passengers are safely secured and offering parents peace of mind as they travel.
Q2. What are the statistics or research findings that highlight the importance of using car seats in India?
Though data on car seat usage in India is still limited, global research indicates that the proper use of child restraints can reduce the risk of death by 70% in infants and 54% in toddlers. A recent stat from some studies show that nearly 60,000 children die in road accidents in India annually. Yet, child restraint use is low, largely due to a lack of awareness. The data speaks volumes, introducing car seats into everyday road safety practices can make a life-saving difference.
Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3496348/
Q3. How does Artsana India work with authorities or organizations to promote the use of car seats?
At Artsana India, we believe that road safety for children require both education and action. We actively conduct safety campaigns, collaborate with pediatricians, and work with parenting communities to provide information on the correct use of car seats. Our goal is to make child road safety a priority in every household, and we are continuously working to reach more parents with the message. In our Chicco stores, we make it a priority to guide parents by showcasing and demonstrating our car safety seats, helping them understand the features and benefits firsthand. This hands-on approach allows us to raise awareness and support parents in making informed choices for their little ones.
Understanding Child Passenger Safety: Why Car Seats Are a Must
Q4. Could you shed light on how car seats specifically protect children during car accidents?
Car seats are engineered to cradle a child’s body during an accident, reducing the force of impact on critical areas such as the head, neck, and spine. They are equipped with harnesses that hold the child securely, preventing them from being thrown forward or out of the seat. Additionally, car seats are designed to absorb shock, which means that the force from an accident is distributed across a larger area.
Car seats are carefully designed to absorb the forces of a crash, helping to protect your child by spreading the impact away from their delicate body. Without the safety of a car seat, a child can be thrown forward, potentially hitting the dashboard, windshield, or front seats — a terrifying thought for any parent.
To put it into perspective, if a child weighing 15 kg is in a car traveling at 50 km/h and there’s a frontal impact, the effective weight of the baby becomes approximately 416 Kgs. We can understand the no one will be able to hold such the object of such weight in their hands. Therefore, using baby car safety seat is not merely about comfort. It is a must to ensure safety and well-being of your child.
Q5. In your view, what steps can private sector take to improve child passenger safety?
There should be widespread awareness campaigns across media platforms to educate parents about the importance of car seats. Doctors can play a crucial part in this, like the way Fortis Hospitals is educating the masses on car seats through the safest lap campaign along with Chicco.
Breaking the Myths: Car Seats Are Not Just for the West
Q6. Why do you think there is a perception that car seats are only needed in Western countries?
In India, the idea that car seats are only for Western countries largely stems from a lack of awareness. In many Western countries, car seat use is strictly regulated and enforced from birth, whereas in India, the focus on child passenger safety is relatively new. Many parents believe that holding their child in their hands is enough, which is not the case.
Q7. What are some common misconceptions among Indian parents about using car seats, and how can we address them?
One of the most common misconceptions is that car seats are uncomfortable or unnecessary for short distances. In reality, most accidents happen close to home, and a properly fitted car seat is essential regardless of the trip length. Sudden braking can happen at any time, both on a long journey or just driving nearby. That’s why car seats are essential for your child’s safety, even for premature babies. A common misconception is that car seats might be unsafe for smaller babies, but today’s car seats are designed to be both easy to install and incredibly comfortable, offering the perfect support and cushioning for your baby’s delicate body. It’s all about keeping them secure and comfortable, no matter the trip.
Another misconception is that holding a child in one’s arms is safer — this is dangerous, as the adult cannot secure the child during sudden stops or impacts. Education is key here. We need to normalise car seat use through awareness programs and accessible information.
Q8. Have you seen a shift in attitude among Indian parents regarding car seats, and what has driven this change?
Yes, there has been a gradual shift, particularly among urban parents. Increased exposures to global parenting practices, as well as more education about the risks of not using car seats, have played a role in changing attitudes. Social media, too, has been instrumental in spreading awareness.
How Car Seats for Kids Ensure Safety and Comfort on Indian Roads
Q9. What factors should parents consider when choosing a car seat for their child, considering the diverse and complex roads?
When choosing a car seat for your child, parents should focus on a few essential factors to ensure both safety and comfort. First, consider your child’s size (Height) as it’s important to select a seat that is suitable for their size. There are various models of car seats available. Some models cover a specific size bracket, therefore you need to change the baby car seat once the baby outgrow that size bracket. However, there are car seat models that cover a bigger size bracket and they adapt to the baby needs as per their size, these are more practical as one car seat becomes sufficient for the complete requirement.
ISize car seats that are complaint to fit with ISOFIX anchorages in the cars is also a key factor, as it provides a secure and easy installation, ensuring the seat is firmly anchored to the car.
Look for features like a five-point harness, strong lateral support, and soft padding to keep your little one safe and comfortable. By focusing on these factors, you can make sure your child’s car seat is both secure and cozy for every journey.
Buying baby car seat is a matter of safety, therefore always choose the car seats of a brand that is trusted and renowned in car safety and have the technical know-how in this field.
Q10. Could you talk about the technology and safety features incorporated in Chicco car seats to ensure maximum protection and comfort?
Chicco has experience of more than 65 years in baby care and have an experience of more than 120 countries. All this know-how is consolidated in ‘Chicco Research Center’ which is instrumental in all product design and innovations at Chicco.
Chicco car seats are equipped with advanced safety features like side-impact protection, energy-absorbing foam, and multi-position recline to ensure maximum comfort and security. Our seats also include a five-point harness system that secures the child in a stable position. We focus on ergonomic designs with soft, breathable fabrics that keep the child comfortable during long drives, especially in hot and humid weather.
A Parent’s Guide to Choosing the Right Car Seat for Kids in India
Q11. What are the different types of car seats available for various age groups, and how should parents select the right one?
For I Size car seats, you need to select the right car seat as per the height of the baby. Parents can refer the below to understand the approximate height and age compatibility for the car seat:
- New born baby: Height 40 cm (approximately)
- 4 months baby: Height 61 cm (approximately)
- 15 months baby: Height 76 cm (approximately)
- 24 months baby: Height 87 cm (approximately)
- 3-4 years toddler: Height 100 cm (approximately)
- 7 years child: Height 125 cm (approximately)
- 12 years child: Height 150 cm (approximately)
You need to check the height of your baby and select the corresponding baby car seat that caters to that height brackets.
Some baby car safety seats are designed only for babies covering the height bracket of 40-87cm whereas some are designed to cover a bigger height bracket such as from 40-150 cm, practically taking care of complete requirement of baby car seat usage.
Q12. Can you provide practical advice or tips for parents on correctly installing and using car seats?
Correct installation is essential for a car seat to provide maximum safety. Always refer to the product installation manual and ensure the seat is securely installed. When using ISOFIX, attach the connectors to the vehicle’s anchor points and tighten until secure.
All ISize car seats have a second anchorage. It can either have a top tether or a support leg. Please ensure that they are properly fastened. The harness should be adjusted at shoulder level of the baby—tighten it until it’s snug with no slack
Raising Awareness: How Indian Parents Can Advocate for Child Passenger Safety
Q13. How can parents and communities become advocates for child passenger safety within their networks?
Parents can start by making informed decisions for their own families and sharing their experiences with other parents. Grassroots advocacy like this can create a ripple effect, encouraging more parents to prioritise car seat usage.
Q14. What role do pediatricians and healthcare professionals play in educating parents about the importance of car seats?
Pediatricians and healthcare professionals are key influencers in the lives of new parents. They have the trust of families and are in a unique position to recommend car seats during early check-ups. By discussing car seat safety from a health and developmental perspective, they can reinforce its importance as a preventive measure. At Chicco, we work closely with pediatricians to ensure that parents receive consistent, expert advice on child passenger safety.
