Transporting children safely
123
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Transporting children safelyWhat you should know about transporting children!An introduction to the subject Accident statistics have revealed that children are generally more safely transported on the rear seat
s than on the fron
t passenger seat.
Children younger than 12 years of age should
normally travel on the rear seat of the
vehicle (take note of any na
tional legal provisions which differ from this). They
should be secured there by means of a child restraint system or by using the existing seat belts depending on their age, body si
ze and weight. The child seat should be
mounted behind the front passen
ger seat for safety reasons.
The physical principle of an accident do
es, of course, also apply to children
⇒ page 109, “The physical principle of a fronta
l collision”. They differ from adults in
that their muscles and bone structure of ch
ildren are not yet fully developed. Thus
children are exposed to increased risk of injury. Children should be transported by using special child safety seats in order to reduce this risk of injury. Use only child safety seats which are offici
ally approved and are suitable for chil-
dren and which comply with the ECE-R 44
standard, which classifies child safety
seats into 5 groups
⇒page 126, “Classification of child seats into groups”. Child
restraint systems which have been tested for conformity to ECE-R 44 standard have a non-detachable test seal (a large E within
a circle and below this the test number)
attached to the seat. We recommend that you use ch
ild safety seats from the Škoda genuine accessories.
These child seats were developed and also
tested for use in Škoda vehicles. They
fulfil the ECE-R 44 standard.
WARNING
Always comply with legal provisions and instructions from the relevant child safety seat manufacturer when in
stalling and using the child seat
⇒
in
“Important safety information regarding the use of child safety seats”.
Note
Any varying national legal regulations take priority over the information provided in these instructions for use, or stated in this chapter.Important safety information regarding the use of child safety seats Correct use of child safety seats
considerably reduces the risk of
injury!
WARNING
•
All the occupants of the car - in particular children - must wear a seat belt
when the car is moving.•
Chi ld re n le s s tha n 1. 5 0 m i n h e ig ht
or younger than 12
years must not use
a normal seat belt withou
t a child restraint system otherwise this may result
in injuries to the stomach and neck areas. Comply with the national legal requirements.•
One should never carry children, and also not babies! - on one's lap.
•
You can transport a child safely in
a suitable child safety seat
⇒page 126,
“Child seat”!•
Only one child may be fastened with a seat belt into a child safety seat.
•
Never leave the child sitting unattended in the seat.
•
Certain outside climatic conditions can cause life-threatening tempera-
tures in the vehicle.•
Never allow your child to be transported in a vehicle without the use of a
suitable restraint system.•
Children should also never stand up in a vehicle or kneel on the seats
when the vehicle is moving. In the even
t of an accident the child will be
thrown through the vehicle and may as a
result suffer fatal injuries, and also
injure other occupants.
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Transporting children safely
124
•
Children are exposed to an increased risk
of injury in the event of an acci-
dent if they lean forward or adopt an incorrect seated position when the vehicle is moving. This particularly applies to children who are transported on the front passenger seat if the airb
ag system deploys in the event of an
accident. This can result in severe or even fatal injuries.•
It is important that the belt webbing is properly routed if the seat belts
are to offer their maximum protection
⇒page 110, “How are seat belts
correctly fastened?”. Pay particular atte
ntion to the information provided by
the manufacturer of the child safety se
at regarding correc
t routing of the
belt. Seat belts which are
not correctly adjusted ca
n themselves cause inju-
ries even in minor accidents.•
Safety belts must be checked to ensure that they are running properly.
One should also ensure that the belt
is not damaged by sh
arp-edged fittings.
•
It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag and possibly
the side airbag* when attaching a child safety seat on the front passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in direction of travel (in some countries also when the child is facing the direction of travel) ⇒ page 120. If this is not done, there is a risk of the child suffering severe or even fatal injuries if the front passen
ger airbag is deploy
ed. In certain coun-
tries national legal provisions also re
quire that the side
airbags be deacti-
vated. When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
Use of child safety seats on the front passenger seat Child safety seats should always
be attached to the rear seats.
We recommend, for safety reasons, that you always mount a child restraint systems on the rear seats whenever possible. If you still decide, however, to use a child safety seat on the front passenger seat th
en you must pay attention to the following
warnings in connection with the use of th
e airbag system on the front passenger
seat.
WARNING
•
Warning - particular hazard! Never use a child safety seat on the front
passenger seat in which the child is seat
ed with its back facing the direction
of travel. This child safety seat is positioned in the deployment area of the front passenger airbag. The airbag may
cause the child severe, or even fatal
injuries, in the event of it being deployed.•
This is also clearly stated on the sticker which is located on the centre
column of the body on the front passenger side
⇒fig. 130
. The sticker is
visible upon opening the front passen
ger door. For some countries, the
sticker is also affixed to the sun visor of the front passenger.•
It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag or the side
passenger airbag* as well if you nevertheless wish to use a child safety seat on the front passenger seat where the chil
d is seated with its back facing in
direction of travel (in some countries also when the child is facing the direc-
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 130 Sticker on the centre column of the body on the front passenger side.
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Transporting children safely
125
Using the system
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tion of travel)
⇒page 120, “Deactivating an airbag”. If this is not done, there
is a risk of the child suffering severe or even fatal injuries if the front passenger airbag is deployed. In certai
n countries national legal provisions
also require that the side airbags be
deactivated. When transporting a child
on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.•
If the front passenger airbag has been
switched off by a specialist garage
using the vehicle system tester, the si
de passenger airbag* remains switched
on. In certain countries national legal provisions require that besides the front passenger airbag also the side airbag is deactivated. Please comply with any differing national legal regula
tions regarding the use of child safety
seats.•
If a child safety seat in which the child faces in the direction of travel is
used on the front passenger seat, the
front passenger seat must be moved
back fully. For vehicles with height ad
justable front passenger seat, the seat
must be put in the highest position.•
If this is not done, a child seated on the front passenger seat may suffer
severe or even fatal injuries if the
front passenger airbag or airbags are
deployed. Have the airbag (or ai
rbags) deactivated if necessary
⇒page 120.
•
You should have the front passenger airbag (or airbags) reactivated just
as soon as you no longer use a child sa
fety seat on the front passenger seat.
Child safety and side airbag* Children must never be seated in
the deployment area of side
airbags.In the event of a side collision, the si
de airbags offer the vehicle occupants
enhanced protection. The side airbags are inflated in fractions of
a second in order to be able to provide
this protection
⇒page 119, “Function of
the side airbags”.
An airbag inflating develops such a strong force that an occupant who has not adopted an upright seated position may suffer
injuries from the airbag or as a result
of objects which are located within th
e deployment area of the side airbag.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 131 Seated position of an unprotected child at risk from side airbagFig. 132 Child properly protected by safety seat
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Transporting children safely
126
This applies particularly to children if they are not transported in accordance with legal requirements. The child is protected when seated in a child safety seat matching its age. Adequate room is available between th
e child and the deployment area of the side airbag and
head airbag. The airbag offers optimal protection.
WARNING
•
It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag and possibly
the side airbag* when attaching a child safety seat on the front passenger seat where the child is seated with its back facing in direction of travel (in some countries also when the child is facing the direction of travel) ⇒ page 120. If this is not done, there is a risk of the child suffering severe or even fatal injuries if the front passen
ger airbag is deploy
ed. In certain coun-
tries national legal provisions also re
quire that the side
airbags be deacti-
vated. When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.•
When transporting a child on the fr
ont passenger seat, please comply
with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.•
Children must never be seated with their head in the deployment area of
the side airbag - risk of injury!•
Do not place any objects within the deployment area of the side airbag -
risk of injury!Child seatClassification of child seats into groups Only child safety seats which have an official approval and are suit- able for the child, may be used.ECE-R 44 standard applies to child safety seats. ECE-R means: Standard Economic Commission of Europe - Regulation.
Child safety seats which have been tested for conformity to ECE-R 44 standard have a non-detachable test seal (a large E within a circle and below this the test number) attached to the seat. Child safety seats are classified in 5 groups: Children of more than 150 cm in height may use the seat belts fitted to the vehicle without a seat bolster.Use of child safety seatsAn overview of the usefulness of child se
ats on each of the seats according to the
EG guidelines 77/541 and ECE 44 standard:
Universal category - seat is suitable for all approved types of child safety seats. The seat can be fitted with
fixing eyes for the “
ISOFIX
*”system.
Group
Weight
0
0 - 10 kg
⇒page 127
0+
up to 13 kg
⇒page 127
1
9 - 18 kg
⇒page 127
2
15 - 25 kg
⇒page 128
3
22 - 36 kg
⇒page 128
Child seat of the group
Front passenger
seat
Rear seat outside
Rear seat middle
0
0+
1
2 and 3
AUA+
AUA+
AU
AUA+
AUA+
AU
AUA+
AUA+
AU
AU
AU
AU
AUA+
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Transporting children safely
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Child seats of group 0/0+The optimal solution for babies of up to
about 9 months old weighing up to 10 kg
or babies up to about 18 mont
hs old weighing up to 13
kg is a child safety seat
which can be adjusted into the reclining position
⇒fig. 133
.
In view of the fact that such child seats are installed that the child is seated with its back facing the direction of travel, they
must not be used on the front passenger
seat
⇒page 124, “Use of child safety seats on the front passenger seat”.WARNING
•
It is essential to always switch off the front passenger airbag (airbags)
when attaching in exceptional circumstances a child safety seat on the front passenger seat where the child is seated
with its back facing in direction of
travel (in some countries also when the child is facing the direction of travel).
− in a specialist garage − or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag*
⇒page 121.
•
In certain countries national legal provisions require that besides the
front passenger airbag also the front passenger side airbag is deactivated. Please comply with any differing national legal regulations regarding the use of child safety seats.
•
If this is not done, a child seated on
the front passenger seat may suffer
severe or even fatal injuries if the
front passenger airbag or airbags are
deployed.•
You should have the front passenger ai
rbag (or airbags) reactivated just
as soon as you no longer use a child sa
fety seat on the front passenger seat.
Child safety seats in Group 1Child seats in Group 1 are for babies and sm
all children up to 4 years of age with a
weight of between 9 and 18 kilograms. It is
best for children in the lower range of
this group, to use a child seat which allows
the child to sit with its back to the direc-
tion of travel. It is best for children in the upper range of the Group 0+, to use a child seat which allows the child to sit
⇒fig. 134
in the direction of travel.
Child safety seats in which the child is seat
ed with its back facing the direction of
travel, must not be used on the front passenger seat
⇒page 124, “Use of child
safety seats on the front passenger seat”.
WARNING
•
It is essential to always switch of
f the front passenger airbag (airbags)
when attaching in exceptional circumstances a child safety seat on the front
Fig. 133 Child seats of group 0/0+
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 134 Child seat with padded table in Group 1 installed on rear seat bench facing the direction of travel
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Transporting children safely
128
passenger seat where the child is seated
with its back facing in direction of
travel (in some countries also when the
child is facing the direction of travel).
− in a specialist garage − or by using the switch for
the front passenger airbag*
⇒page 121.
•
In certain countries national legal provisions require that besides the
front passenger airbag also the front pa
ssenger side airbag is deactivated.
Please comply with any differing nati
onal legal regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats.•
If this is not done, a child seated on the front passenger seat may suffer
severe or even fatal injuries if the
front passenger airbag or airbags are
deployed.•
You should have the front passenger ai
rbag (or airbags) reactivated just
as soon as you no longer use a child sa
fety seat on the front passenger seat.
Child safety seats in Group 2For children up to about 7 years of age
weighing between 15 and 25 kg the optimal
solution is a child safety seat in comb
ination with the three-point seat belt
⇒ fig. 135
.
WARNING
•
When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply
with the appropriate national regulati
ons regarding the use of child safety
seats. If required, the airbag has to be deactivated,
− in a specialist garage − or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag*
⇒page 121.
•
The shoulder part of the seat belt
must run approximately across the
middle of the shoulder and fit snugly agai
nst the chest. It must on no account
run across the neck. The lap part of the seat belt must run across the pelvis and fits snugly; it must not run over the belly. Tighten the belt webbing over your hip if necessary.•
Please comply with any differing nati
onal legal regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats.Child safety seats in Group 3For children of about 7 years of age weighi
ng between 22 and 36 kg and of a height
of less than 150 cm, the optimal solution
is a child safety seat (seat bolster) in
combination with the three-point seat belt
⇒fig. 136
.
Children of more than 150 cm in height may use the seat belts fitted to the vehicle without a seat bolster.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 135 Child seat in Group 2 installed on the rear seat facing the direction of travel
Fig. 136 Child seat in Group 3 installed on the rear seat facing the direction of travel
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Transporting children safely
129
Using the system
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Driving Tips
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WARNING
•
When transporting a child on the front passenger seat, please comply
with the appropriate national regulations regarding the use of child safety seats. If required, the airb
ag has to be deactivated,
− in a specialist garage − or by using the switch for the front passenger airbag*
⇒page 121.
•
The shoulder part of the seat belt must run approximately across the
middle of the shoulder and fit snugly against the chest. It must on no account run across the neck. The lap part of the seat belt must run across the pelvis and fits snugly; it must not run over th
e belly. Tighten the belt webbing over
your hip if necessary.•
Please comply with any differing nati
onal legal regulations regarding the
use of child safety seats.Attaching a child seat us
ing the “ISOFIX” system
There are two locking eyes between th
e rear exterior seat backrest and
the surface of the seat itself
on both sides for fixing the
ISOFIX
system
child seat in place. One can mount
a child safety seat using the
ISOFIX
system quickly, easily and reliably.
The installation must be carried out
according to the supplied instructions. The seat must click into place audibly when installing. Install child seat – Insert the mounting funnels onto the locking eyes between the seat
backrest and the seat cushion
⇒
fig. 137
.
– Push the notched arms of the chil
d seat over the mounting funnels
into the locking eyes, until it is heard to lock
⇒
fig. 138
.
–
Pull on both sides of the child seat!
One can mount a child safety seat using the “ISOFIX” system quickly, easily and reli- ably. Please pay close attention to instruct
ions from the manufacturer of the child
safety seat when installing and removing the seat. Child seats fitted with the “ISOFIX” syst
em can only be mounted and fixed in a
vehicle fitted with an “ISOFIX” system when
these child seats have been released for
this type of vehicle according to the ECE-R 44 standard. You can obtain child seats with the “ISOFIX” attachment system from specialist garages who will also installed it as well.
Fig. 137 Locking eyes (ISOFIX system)
Fig. 138 The ISOFIX child seat is pushed into the mounting funnels
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Transporting children safely
130
Complete installation instructions are
enclosed with the child safety seat.
WARNING
•
The locking eyes have just been de
veloped for child safety seats which
use the “ISOFIX” system. You should
therefore never attach other child
safety seats, seat belts or obje
cts to the locking eyes - hazard!
•
Ask a specialist garage whether a
child seat which you bought for
another vehicle is recommended for use in your vehicle before using a child seat with “ISOFIX” system.•
Certain child seats which use the “ISOFIX” system can be attached with
standard three-point seat belts. Please pay close attention to instructions from the manufacturer of the child safety seat when installing and removing the seat.
Note
•
Child seats which use the “ISOFIX” system are currently available for children
weighing from 9 up to 18 kg. This correspo
nds to an age range of from 9 months to
4 years.s2g8.b.book Page 130 Tuesday, April 7, 2009 8:53 AM