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13 accessories for child seats tested by the ADAC

22.10.2019

Translation: machine translated

ADAC tests 13 accessories for child seats. Only a few of them are permitted or helpful. Some even jeopardise your child's safety.

For once, the German automobile club ADAC is not testing child seats, but their accessories. 13 articles were tested. In addition to belt buckles, which prevent children from unbuckling themselves, neck cushions, additional belts and headrests that protect the swaying head are also included. Products that provide more comfort, such as cushions and belt guide aids, are also tested.

Certification of the child seat expires

Child seats require UN-ECE approval for road use. As soon as you use unauthorised accessories that prevent the child from being strapped in correctly, this approval expires. The child's safety is jeopardised. In the event of an accident, the risk of injury is increased and this can lead to insurance problems. The ADAC has therefore checked which selected accessories meet the standards and do not disregard the regulations.

(Un)authorised products

As you must be able to open the seatbelt with a single press in accordance with the regulations, most seatbelt buckle covers or chest clips are not permitted. They not only make it more difficult to slip your arms out, which is desirable, but also to open the belt. With these accessories, it usually takes two or more hand movements to open the harness. In an emergency, these are important seconds that are lost. Only the "5Point Plus Anti Escape System" product passed the test. It closes the gap between the belt and the child and thus prevents unbuckling. Unfortunately, this product is not (yet) available from Galaxus.

5Point Plus Anti Escape System. Image: ADAC

Neck cushion as headrest. Image: ADAC — 5Point Plus Anti Escape System. Image: ADAC

Neck cushions that protect and support the sleeping child's head do not alter the child seat and are permitted. The headrest "NapUp", which you connect directly to the seat, is also permitted because it detaches in the event of a collision. The "BeltUpp safety belt", on the other hand, can only be opened with two presses and is therefore not permitted.

The belt pad for the diagonal belt, which is combined with the triangular belt cuff, failed the test, as did a belt buckle extension, the "RiveMove" and the belt guide "LiveHammer". They change the belt guide and position. For safety reasons, it is best to choose a fully-fledged child seat with back support, where you do not need any accessories. Simple booster seats that require belt pads or a belt guide should be avoided.

Finally, summer and protective covers and winter footmuffs are permitted as long as the child can be strapped in correctly, the airbag warning is visible and the belt buckle is accessible. When it comes to child seat accessories, the bottom line is: less is more.

To the test report from the ADAC

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Myrtha Brunner

Editor

myrtha.brunner@digitecgalaxus.ch

I’m the cook, cleaner, police officer, nurse, entertainer, motivator, author, storyteller, coach, organiser, chauffeur, lawyer and judge. To put it simply, I’m a mum to a daughter and not just a (Content) Manager at the office but also at home.

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