Published July 15, 2007
If all car seats sold today meet federal safety standards, how does a consumer decide which seat to buy from among the many models on the market?There is no single authoritative place to find car seat rankings or advice before purchasing a seat, but there are a variety of sources that can be considered when deciding which is the best for you.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the agency that sets safety standards for car seats, does not offer rankings. However, the agency's Web site does provide information that could be useful, such as data on recalls and consumer complaints.Children's Hospital of
Philadelphia runs Partners for Child Passenger Safety, a joint project with State Farm Insurance Co., in which University of Pennsylvania researchers analyze real-world crash data to look for trends. This group and virtually all sources of car seat advice agree that the best seat is the one that fits your child, fits your vehicle and is easy to install each time. The seat should fit rigidly, with no more than 1 inch of play in any direction.
This is a great article that really hits the main points you should be thinking about when choosing a car seat. My first post regarding car seats, Car Seat Safety - Resources, laws, installations, guidelines, focused on the safety issues but I neglected to discuss how to actually choose the best seat for you. As a former NHTSA Certified Car Seat Technician I clearly remember from my training that the best seat for you is the seat that best fits your child (and your car).
The links referenced in my previous post on July 7th will have all the info you need to make an informed purchase. These sites will cover safety issues as well as what the best seat is for you. As always, Goore's can assist you in any way to help you purchase the best seat for you and your child.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment