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Infant car seats fail new crash tests
Posted on Jan 5th 2007 3:30PM by Bethany SandersFiled Under: Nutrition & Supplements
Update: Consumer Reports has recently recalled the results of these crash tests, saying that there were improper measurments during testing. Instead of simulating a 38-mile per hour crash, the tests actually simulated a crash at more than 70 MPH. For more information, go here.
Parents cringe when bad news comes out about products they're using with their kids, especially when those products are expensive car seats already strapped into the back of their cars. But according to new crash tests done by Consumer Reports, 10 out of 12 popular rear-facing infant car seats aren't making the grade.
The car seats -- which had already been tested and passed by the federal government -- were put to more rigorous tests than are currently required. Rather than testing at the standard 30 miles per hour, the group put the seats through a 38 MPH crash. Most failed by flying off their bases, and one threw the crash dummy 30 feet through the air. Car seat companies argue that consistency in testing is hard to achieve, but Consumer Reports claims that many of these companies sell better performing seats in Europe where government standards are higher.
Two seats that performed well are the Graco Snugride and Baby Trend Flex-Loc. The group reminds parents that any car seat is better than none, and the safest place for a baby is in the rear center seat. For more information about car seat safety, click here.
Parents cringe when bad news comes out about products they're using with their kids, especially when those products are expensive car seats already strapped into the back of their cars. But according to new crash tests done by Consumer Reports, 10 out of 12 popular rear-facing infant car seats aren't making the grade.
The car seats -- which had already been tested and passed by the federal government -- were put to more rigorous tests than are currently required. Rather than testing at the standard 30 miles per hour, the group put the seats through a 38 MPH crash. Most failed by flying off their bases, and one threw the crash dummy 30 feet through the air. Car seat companies argue that consistency in testing is hard to achieve, but Consumer Reports claims that many of these companies sell better performing seats in Europe where government standards are higher.
Two seats that performed well are the Graco Snugride and Baby Trend Flex-Loc. The group reminds parents that any car seat is better than none, and the safest place for a baby is in the rear center seat. For more information about car seat safety, click here.
