Just a quick reminder whilst there are still a couple of shopping weekends to go - don't forget that the law for the use of children's car seats in Switzerland will be changing from 1 April.

Now: kids under 7 must be in a child seat or booster
Then: kids under 12 OR under 1.5m tall must be in a child seat or booster

Expect a rush the last week of March, as people chat around the school gate and suddenly realise they need to buy the cheapest booster possible for their 11 yr old for the next 6 months. And I imagine the police will be over-zealous for at least the first couple of weeks.

kodokan

Just to clarify...

If you have a 12/13 year old who is under 1.5m tall (yes he's very short for his age) do you still need one?

Legally no, just like with little old ladies, but obviously check the fit of the adult seatbelt around his neck and consider the risks of injury in the event of a crash. And perhaps have something with his proof of age, in case of being stopped.

kodokan

What if you have <12 year old who is >1.5m?

HAHAHA!! What if you are a midget? Are you bound to sitting in a child booster seat your whole life?

Like mentioned it is compulsory if you are under 7, but between ages 7 and 12 it is obligatory if anyone under 1.5 M. Hope this clarifies

thanks for the info. Sorry to side track a bit but if I might tag on about the law in cab..... Do you (or anyone here) know that if I could use a baby carrier (the one on my shoulder) if I'm taking a cab and take the back passenger seat pls? I was told by a friend that it's OK but just want to make sure. My baby is 6 months.

can I just ask - my 8 year old is on a booster cushion (not full car seat) adn has been since we arrived here 3 years ago- is that still ok or do I need to go get another full car seat??

This article (http://www.24heures.ch/actu/suisse/t...nts-2009-12-08) suggests that the law will also apply in taxis - the fine for non-compliance is 60chfs.

newtobasel - the TCS (Swiss motoring org) recommends a full seat, but under the law a booster cushion is fine, my 10 yr old is on one of those as he outgrew the shoulders on his 'real' car seat. The only exception is for seats that don't have a certain EU quality number/ code thingie on them - can't find the exact details now, but roughly speaking any seat purchased after 1995 will be absolutely fine.

(PS: Anyone know how to do multi-quotes across several previous posters?)

kodokan

Edit: Just found the number thingie, thanks to magic's link below: look for the ECE-R44 number, then check that the string of digits starts with 03 or 04. Ones that start with 01 or 02 are banned from April.

That's fine: the law is that a seat is compulsory until either (a) the age of 12 is reached, ie, seats aren't necessary for 12 yr olds, or (b) a height of 1.5m is reached, so whichever happens first.

kodokan

Here is the link to TCS which has some pretty good information on the new law.

Just keep in mind there are some exceptions as well. A bit odd, but apparently if you have a middle car seat in back with only lap belt, it is exempt and a child sitting there does not need a car seat.

Yes, but only for children aged between 7 and 12. I guess the thinking is that you can shuffle the kids around to make sure younger ones get the real seat belts.

kodokan

Any child on your lap or chest will in effect become an air bag in the event of a crash. Some cab companies do have car seats available in their cabs, I think you need to order one specially though.

This is the first line of the TCS write-up.

Ab dem 1. April 2010 müssen Kinder bis zwölf Jahre und 150 cm (was zuerst eintrifft) eine Kinderrückhaltevorrichtung (Kindersitz) verwenden.

This says child seat, not booster.

As I understand it, boosters (just the bottom bit) are no longer enough.

And with respect to holding your baby in the taxi - remember that they are not just thinking about how to avoid the police, the point of the exercise is that your child avoids dying or serious injury in a car accident.

TBH I don't think my almost 12 year old 145cm tall child would fit into a proper child seat - the back is surely too short?

yes, probably... our neighbour is under 150cm tall. She is 71.

I wonder if they make car seats to fit the drivers seat?

Nope, boosters are fine, but TCS recommends that ones with backs are better. This document (in French) explains it; point 7 specifically covers this: http://www.tcs.ch/etc/medialib/main/...ril2010_fr.pdf

Point 7 roughly translated is: 'Why does TCS recommend that one uses a booster cushion WITH a back? Answer: Boosters without backs certainly also satisfy the new law (assuming they're new enough to have the right code number), however, TCS recommends the use of boosters WITH backs because, in the case of a side collision, the child will be well protected thanks to the ergonomic back.' And then there are some links to videos, which I imagine show crash test dummy children being shaken about by collisions.

But legally, boosters are fine. Which is lucky, as my 10 yr old's grown out of his seat with a back and shoulder wings.

kodokan

I brought my child seats from Australia where it appears the naming standards are a little different from Europe. Does anyone know if these child seats (with 5 point harness) will still be OK?

I just bought a new seat for my 4yo, should I get a new car seat for my 2.75 yo?

Robyn

Car seats seem extremely expensive over here, probably due to the fact that they were previously not required. Just ordered one from Kiddiecare.com in the UK for around 30 pounds (Graco 4-11 years) the equivalent being around chf 250 over here!