How Much Safer Is Rear-Facing After 2?
When it comes to your child's safety, you want to make sure you're doing everything you can to keep them protected, especially during car travel. That's where rear-facing car seats come in.
The Benefits of Rear-Facing Car Seats
Designed to protect your child's head, neck, and spine in the event of a collision, rear-facing car seats are crucial for young children. Rear-facing car seats offer the best protection for young children because they distribute the force of a crash across the child's entire body, reducing the risk of serious injury
Is It Safe to Keep Your Child Rear-Facing After 2?
The short answer is yes. In fact, many experts recommend keeping your child rear-facing for as long as possible, up to the weight and height limits of their car seat. While age can be a factor, it's more important to focus on your child's weight and height, as well as the weight and height limits of their car seat. Fortunately there are seats out there that can keep your child safely rear facing until at the very least, the age of 4.5/5 years old.
The Importance of Rear-Facing Car Seats for Young Children
Rear-facing car seats offer the best protection for young children because they distribute the force of a crash across the child's entire body, reducing the risk of serious injury. This is especially important for children under the age of 2, whose necks and spines are still developing and are therefore more vulnerable to injury in a car crash.
But even after your child turns 2, it's still important to keep them rear-facing as long as possible. Many car seat manufacturers now offer extended rear-facing car seats that can accommodate children up to 36KG/125cm. These car seats allow parents to keep their child rear-facing for even longer, providing the best possible protection in the event of a crash.
The Law and Rear-Facing Car Seats
It's also worth noting that in some countries, including the UK, the law requires children to remain in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 15 months old under the R129 regulation or 9KG under the R44 regulation. However, as we've discussed, it's generally recommended to keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible, not just until they reach a certain age.
Conclusion
In conclusion, rear-facing car seats are crucial for young children and it's safe to keep your child in a rear-facing car seat even after they turn 2. Ideally keeping your child rear facing until at least 4.5/5 years old will increase their chances of surviving a road traffic collision, without experiencing severe life threatening injuries. By focusing on your child's weight and height, as well as the weight and height limits of their car seat, you can ensure that your child is getting the best possible protection during car travel. So, if you're in the market for a car seat, be sure to consider a rear-facing option to keep your child safe and secure.
