Consumer Reports: Infant Car Seats

[ladywaterwind]

Figures. I use the one that Consumer Reports wants recalled, the Evenflo :| Now I'm all freaked out. Found here

Most infant seats flunk crash test

January 4, 2007 05:05:34 PM PST

Most of the infant car seats tested by Consumer Reports "failed disastrously" in crashes at speeds as low as 35 mph, the magazine reported Thursday.

The seats came off their bases or twisted in place, the report said. In one case, a test dummy was hurled 30 feet.

Of the 12 car seats tested, Consumer Reports said it could recommend only two, and it urged a federal recall of the poorest performing seat, the Evenflo Discovery.

Evenflo issued a statement disputing the tests' validity, saying, "The magazine's test conditions and protocols appear to conflict with the collective experience of car seat manufacturers, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and the scientific community."

To be sold in the United States, an infant seat must perform adequately in a 30 mph frontal crash, and Consumer Reports found that all but the Discovery did so. But it noted that NHTSA crash tests most cars at higher speeds — 35 mph for frontal crashes and 38 mph for side crashes — so the magazine tested the seats at those speeds.

"It's unconscionable that infant seats, which are designed to protect the most vulnerable children, aren't routinely tested the same as new cars," said Consumer Reports' Don Mays, a product safety director.

NHTSA Administrator Nicole Nason issued a statement saying: "We are always interested in making car seats better and safer but not more complicated and difficult for parents. ... We don't want consumers misled into thinking holding a child is better than putting it into a car seat."

Nine seats failed some or all of the higher-speed tests, Consumer Reports said, while meeting the federal 30 mph standard. Another seat was judged unacceptable because it did not fit well in several cars, the magazine said.

Messages seeking comment were left with the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, a trade group.

The magazine tested the type of seat that faces the rear and snaps in and out of a base. It used test dummies weighing 22 or 30 pounds, depending on the seat manufacturers' claims.

In the 35 mph test, seats separated from their bases, rotated too far or would have inflicted grave injuries, Consumer Reports said. At 38 mph, four seats flew out of their bases, it said.

The only seats that passed all the tests were the Baby Trend Flex-Loc and the Graco SnugRide with EPS — expanded polystyrene foam — both selling for about $90. Consumer Reports urged parents shopping for seats to buy one of those two, but it also noted that "any child car seat is better than no seat at all."

It also said some seats performed better when attached by vehicle safety belts than when attached with the LATCH system. The system, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, includes belts that hook the base of a car seat to metal anchors in the vehicle.

[patcheskitty]

Here's the actual C/R article. We just bought the safeseat because it WAS side crash tested and passed with flying colors. I dont know. I'd like to hear more details of the testing before I freak out about it (still have a whole MONTH now, lol). I can't believe the Britax one though, I thought that was one of the safest ones??

[amti]

Thanks. I sent that link to my sil who has a little 8 month old!

[hotcouponmama]

we're down to one in a carseat, haven't seen anything mentioned about the seats that are built it and how safe they are. Our van has the built in seat.

[amti]

we're down to one in a carseat, haven't seen anything mentioned about the seats that are built it and how safe they are. Our van has the built in seat.

I bet they are pretty safe. The majority of the failures in car seats is due to improper installation of the car seat and loose belts on the child. There is no fear of the car seat coming apart from the seat since it is built into it.

[esperanza]

I wonder why they chose those particular 12 seats to review. They are certainly not among the most often purchased among people I know with infants.

[esperanza]

I sensed that there was something "off" about that article.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business...home-headlines

[queenofthehivemomof5]

well what I want to know is which carseat tests out OK at "real" speeds? Most people dont drive 30-25 mph all the time. In town yes, but most of us are zipping around at 45-55 + Which seats are safe at that speed?

[esperanza]

American carseat mfgr's don't have to test their seats at speeds above 30 mph. The only maker I know that tests above 30 mph is Britax who tests at 50 mph (b/c it is a popular carseat mfgr in Europe) They are also the most expensive (generally speaking).

[queenofthehivemomof5]

I dont really care what the US tests at and feel that 30 mph is not good enough. Am I the only one that think that is a rediculous speed? Even if the consumer reports tested at higher speeds than is required by the Gov, I am worried that if car seats were twisting off thier bases and flying around at 35-38 MPH what happens at real speeds?

Why are our carseats not tested at the average American Hwy speeds?