Safest Car Seats - You May Be Shocked
submitted: 2008-04-10 13:21:58 |
by: JaynaGinny
Total views: 26 |
Word Count: 381 |
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No car seat can be sold on the market in the United States without passing certain safety restrictions and crash tests.
Unfortunately, it is impossible for us to determine the safest car seats based on these, because the manufacturers are not required to release this information, and they don't. However, we can be sure that every car seat on the market does meet or exceed United States governmental regulations.
You can find out which car seats are safest through Consumer Reports, which does simulated car crashes to test the effectiveness of car seats. However, we should also note that scientists have discounted the results for various reasons. Sometimes it's because of past mistakes, or because of poor parameters and less than good reporting. Still, Consumer Reports is a good place to begin your research.
Over the years, Consumer Reports has reported its top picks. Keep in mind, however, that the safest car seat is only as safe as its user. If it isn't installed properly and used properly every time the child is in the car, of course it is quite unsafe.
Recently Consumer Reports conducted a test involving rear-facing infant car seats. This was an effort to make up for the previous year's test, which had errors. All the seats they used (eleven in total) passed crash test standards as defined by the government when secured with a seatbelt and when using the LATCH.
(LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.) Again, we find the United States' pass/fail system fails to provide us a "best" and "worst" model.
Consumer Reports expands upon this and attempts to identify the safest car seats by adding Ease of Use ratings and Fit to Vehicle ratings, both of which will have an effect on the safety of any car seat.
If it doesn't fit in the car properly, it's impossible to install it safely, and the harder a car seat is to install, the more likely that someone will not have it properly and safely installed.
Using these guidelines, Consumer Reports rated the Chicco Key Fit as the safest car seat. The second safest car seat was the Britax Companion.
At the same time, Consumer Reports rated Baby Trend Flex-Loc and Graco SnugRide as the Best Buys. This accounts for the features you get for the price.
About the Author
Before you buy a car seat make sure to visit Car Seat Reviews to find in-depth reviews on the Best Car Seats and other Car Seat Ratings.
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