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CARRYING CHILDREN
SAFELY
For the best level of protection in the
event of a crash, all occupants must trav-
el seated and secured by suitable restraint
systems. This is even more important for
children.
According to 2003/20/EC Directive,
this prescription is compulsory for all
European Community countries.
Compared with adults, a child's head is
proportionately larger and heavier than
the rest of the body, while muscles and
bone structure are not completely devel-
oped. Therefore, in order to restrain them
correctly in the event of a crash, different
systems are needed than adult seat belts.
The results of research on the best pro-
tection for a child are summarised in
European Standard ECE- R44, which in
addition to making them compulsory, sub-
divides restraint systems into five groups:
Group 0
- until 10 kg in weight
Group 0+
- until 13 kg in weight
Group 1
9 - 18 kg in weight
Group 2
15 - 25 kg in weight
Group 3
22 - 36 kg in weight
32
As it may be noted, the groups overlap
partly and in fact, in commerce it is possible
to find devices that cover more than one
weight group.
All the restraint devices must bear the
homologation data, together with the con-
trol brand, on a solidly fixed label which
must absolutely not be removed.
Over 1,50 m in height, from the point of
view of restraint systems, children are con-
sidered as adults and wear belt normally.
The Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo includes
seats for each weight group, which are the
recommended choice because they have
been designed and specifically experi-
mented for Alfa Romeo cars.
With passenger's air bag
active, never place child's
seats with the cradle fac-
ing backwards since the air bag ac-
tivation could cause to the child se-
rious injuries, even mortal, re-
gardless of the seriousness of the
crash that triggered it. You are ad-
vised to carry children always with
proper restraint systems on the
rear seats, as this is the most pro-
tected position in the case of a
crash.
SERIOUS DANGER
If it is absolutely
necessary to carry a
child on the front passenger seat
with the cradle child's seat facing
backwards, the front passenger's
air bag must be deactivated using
the key switch. In this case it is ab-
solutely necessary to check the
warning light F on the instru-
ment panel (see paragraph "Pas-
senger's front air bag") to make
sure that deactivation has actual-
ly taken place. Moreover, the front
passenger's seat shall be adjust-
ed in the most backward position
to prevent any contact between
the child's seat and the dashboard.
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