That's why ‘kiddy' uses an impact shield instead of a 5-point harness and buckle system. With the traditional system, a child's shoulders are pinned back against the seat back. In a crash, forces of impact propel the child forward hard, yet the 5-point harness holds the shoulders and torso back tightly, so all those forces are channelled through the first point of free movement - the delicate spinal vertebrae of the neck. The head, being very heavy on a child, is jolted forwards or sideways depending on the point of impact, making damage such as whiplash to this area very likely. You need to bear in mind that the force produced on impact for a child is ten times the child's body weight due to the weight of the head, whereas for an adult it is only 3.5 times.

With a ‘kiddy' impact shield the shoulders are not pinned back. The upper body is has a degree of freedom to move as the body is naturally designed to, altogether and in sequence. The shield nestles comfortably against the child's torso spreading the point of contact across the whole width of the body. So now if there's a sudden jolt, the child's whole upper body moves slightly forward in one motion without any specific area of the spine absorbing all the shock at once. The head is not ‘jarred' downwards or sideways because the shoulders are not held back, and the ‘impact shield' provides a cushioned platform to restrict the angle of motion.

Recent research in Germany has demonstrated that after using a rear facing second stage car seat, an impact shield on a front facing seat is a close second in terms of safety, and significantly safer than a 5-point harness and buckle (1). Further research has also shown that the ‘impact shield' system is the easiest method for parents to fit correctly (2).

Sales & Marketing Director Bettina Wuerstl says:

‘I am a mother with two small children. Our design team work extremely hard to ensure we use the safest, high performance materials in the best way possible, but if they produce a seat that I can't use, it goes straight back to the drawing board! Being easy to use is absolutely essential - after all, which busy parent these days wants to spend time trying to fiddle with a heavy seat and a complicated locking system? Certainly not me! So with ‘kiddy' you know that not only are the designs very safe and comfortable for the child - they are so simple to use even I can fit them!'

Tel: 07964 546125

Web: www.kiddy.de/gb/company-video

Hall 10.2 : Stand D8

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