Car seat technology: a guide to impact shields
When you buy a child seat, you want to know it features the best safety technology, helping to keep your little one safe. One of the newest technologies available, impact shields provide added protection for your child in the case of an accident.
But what are impact shields and what are the benefits of getting a car seat with one? We have everything you need to know.
What is an impact shield?
Impact shield technology is now being incorporated into some car seats, and for good reason!
Impact shields, or safety cushions as they are sometimes known, fasten around the front of your child while they are in their car seat.
Acting like a pre-inflated airbag, the shield helps spread the forces generated during a collision over a wider area. Doing so reduces the strain on key areas of the body including the neck, shoulders and head in an accident.
Some studies suggest that impact shields can reduce these strains by up to 40% compared to standard harness system seats that don’t have energy-reduction technology.
It’s generally advised that children should use a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, but where this isn’t possible, front-facing seats with an impact shield are a great choice.
What are the benefits of impact shields?
When it comes to car seat technology, safety is the most important factor, and impact shields bring lots of safety benefits.
For a start, a forward-facing seat with an impact shield provides a great alternative for those who are unable to use a rearward-facing seat – such as those with smaller or two-doored vehicles.
By using a car seat with an impact shield, you’re able to reduce the strains on your child’s neck, shoulders and head in the case of a collision. This is because the forces generated during an accident are distributed through the shield.
Therefore, when choosing a child car seat, you may want to opt for one that has an impact shield. However, you’ll also need to find one that’s the right size for your child, and you can find a guide to choosing the correct child car seat here.
Impact shields on Halfords car seats
Here at Halfords, we stock a wide range of car seats from the top brands, including a selection of seats that feature impact shield technology. These include:
CYBEX Pallas M-Fix SL Baby’s Car Seat
The Pallas M is packed with innovative safety and comfort technology, including an impact shield, linear side-impact protection system, height-adjustable headrest, and an air ventilation system.
Growing with your child, the seat can be adjusted to a full-back booster seat and will support your child until they’re approximately 12 years old.
CYBEX Pallas G i-Size Group 1/2/3
Providing over ten years of protection, the adjustable Pallas G provides optimum protection at every stage of your child’s development.
As well as an impact shield, the seat also benefits from a patented reclining headrest, adjustable backrest, linear side impact protection system and an air ventilation system.
Joie Trillo Shield Group 1/2/3 Child Car Seat
This innovative design replaces the standard 5-point harness with a SnugShield impact-absorbing front cushion, adding another layer of protection for children aged 9 months to 12 years (9-36kg). The seat also incorporates side-impact protection technology to cover your little one’s head, body and hips – plus Guard Surround Safety panels for added security.
Picking the correct car seat for your child is important for both safety and comfort and you can find guides to choosing the perfect car seat for each sizing system over on Halfords.com.
Once you know which size seat your child needs, you can explore our extensive range of child seats here.