Child Restraint Systems: Controversy vs. Facts, What You Need to Know!
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
On January 4, 2007, one of the most public and heated controversies on child passenger safety to date was published. Consumers Union (CU) declared they tested 12 infant carriers at the same speeds for side and frontal impacts as federal vehicle standards. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS 213) requires child restraint systems (CRS) to be tested in 30 mph frontal impacts only. Federal standards do not call for side-impact crash tests at this time. The International Standards Organization is drafting global standards that will include side-impact tests; meanwhile, the highest standard in the world is a side-impact crash test at 19 mph that is mandatory in Australia. CU aspired to investigate side-impacts at 38 mph and frontal-impacts at 35 mph. They stated only two rear-facing infant seats (infant carrier with base) passed according to their tests. CU’s further comments included an erroneous warning and suggested recall of CRS’s to parents about the safety issues they uncovered.This story posed questions amongst child passenger safety experts and alarmed parents by claiming the 10 "failed" seats were unsafe without providing a sufficient explanation. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) immediately looked into the testing procedures of CU and found embarrassing calculation errors. The greatest error was in the side-impact test that led to most of the seat "failures." CU actually simulated a 70 mph side impact, not a 38.5 mph impact as they had thought. This exposure caused CU to withdraw their report, but they say they are planning to conduct new tests. NHTSA actually retested 11 of these seats, published the test videos and a statement regarding CU’s error on their website.
According to information released from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego (SRISD), the fact remains that every child restraint system on the store shelf has passed stringent federal standards that took years to develop. Today’s car seats are safe and effective when used correctly. Every car seat on the market in the United States has passed the same rigorous crash tests required by the U.S. Department of Transportation. As a rule, there are three websites providing comprehensive and trusted information on the usage of child passenger safety information; http://www.nhtsa.gov/ , http://www.carseat.org/ , and http://www.boosterseat.gov/.
Child Passenger Safety Week is held during Valentine’s Day week. NHTSA sponsors this event, which has been running for over 20 years, to educate parents and caregivers on the most up-to-date child passenger safety information. This includes the proper use of child safety seats, booster seats, and seatbelts according to the age and size of the child. Studies have shown that while 96% of parents believe they are installing their child restraint systems safely, only 20% actually are.
Previously, on June 13, 2006, NHTSA released their 2006 Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Ratings chart. Ninety-five percent of all child restraint systems (CRS) can be found in that year’s chart. Ratings of A, B, and C were assessed and based on level of difficulty in five installation categories. NHTSA began this program five years ago to encourage manufacturers to make their seats more user-friendly, because the installation and misuse rate has been so high.
This information can be accessed at: http://www.blogger.com/www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/CSSRating/Index.cfm.But how can a chart like this benefit parents? The most common questions I get asked are: “What seat is the safest; and what seat do you recommend?” These are important questions, but CRS implementation and installation are the keys. The best child restraint system for you is one that: fits your child, fits in your car, and one you can correctly install every time.
Child Safety is Paramount. Every CRS sold meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, or they are recalled instantly and eliminated from public consumption. Therefore, an actual safety rating is not the issue, and an expensive price tag doesn’t mean it is a safer seat, either. Never accept a seat second-hand! Is your child's health a second-hand concern? There is no valid way to determine factors like whether or not the seat was in a crash before or if the parents washed the harnesses. Even roughing up the seat could cause fractures in the seat base. Any of these events can compromise the crashworthiness of a CRS. If you are continuing to reuse a seat for multiple children, remember that a CRS will generally expire after six years.
As soon as you decide on a seat and install it, send in the registration card! You want to be notified immediately of any recalls on your CRS or its parts. Recalls can also be checked at NHTSA's website. Important: If you are in a crash and your CRS was in use by a restrained occupant, your insurance company should replace it for you. In many states, it is the law. Don’t expect them to ask you; you need to request the CRS be replaced.
The CRS fits your child. You absolutely must adhere to child height and weight requirements on every CRS. If you have a heavy child for their height, more model options are available to select wider seats and higher weight limits. Make sure the rear-facing position will accommodate your child’s height and weight for as long as possible as this is the safest position for the child. (*You should always have your child restrained in a rear-facing CRS until the age of one, and until the child weighs more than 20 lb*)
Be prepared to make adjustments before your child exceeds the limits of the CRS. Many CRS brands have additional features that may work better for you, depending on what stage of development your child has attained. For example, using a convertible seat from birth and up, choosing one that has an adjustable crotch strap and patented infant support for a safer and snugger fit around a newborn is a good start. Important: never use after-market products on your CRS. Anything after-market did not get tested with your CRS and the seat cannot be expected to perform as specified.
According to Katina Chester, NHTSA Certified CPS Technician and employee of the SRISD, in addition to improper installation and usage, one of the greatest challenges is the use of booster seats – or, rather, the lack of use. Child restraint use plunges after age 3. While some states have no booster seat laws and others require up to age 6, the real factor for booster seats is height. Children less than 4’9" tall (usually up to about age 8) should remain in a booster seat. NHTSA estimates that as few as 10% of children who should be using booster seats actually are. Many parents graduate their children from a booster to a seatbelt too soon, or even skip this stage altogether.
The CRS Fits in your car. Always try to install a seat before purchasing it. Not every seat works in just any car. For example, a square-based CRS could fit perfectly in one person’s car, but may be completely unstable in another vehicle’s rear seat because of bucket seats or a narrow hump in the center position. A CRS could be too tall or deep for a parent to fit in their rear seat and/or difficult to properly cinch down. While shopping have a store clerk accompany you to your vehicle and watch as you completely install the CRS into your rear seat according to the vehicle and CRS manufacturer’s instructions. If any CRS is difficult for you, don't buy it, or exchange it right away. If you are expecting a newborn, get your seat installed and inspected well in advance, then make sure you know how to adjust it properly. When the big day comes, you will be ready to safely transport your new edition home.
You can correctly install the CRS every time. Easier installation ideally means a lower chance of user error. You can have the most expensive seat on the market with all the bells and whistles and install it incorrectly, when your child would be much safer in a $50 CRS that you actually know how to use. NHTSA’s Ease of Use Ratings can help you identify different CRS in the category you need that are easy to install. However, don’t completely discount a seat you want because of a poor rating until you try it yourself. It may be the only seat that fits in your vehicle. Conversely, a seat can get an A in a category, and once you attempt that installation step, you could find it incredibly difficult.
The most important thing a parent can do is acknowledge the fact that 80% (nationwide average) of children are improperly restrained, 33% are restrained in an inappropriate seat for their height and weight. If you’re following manufacturer’s instructions, you’re giving your baby the safest ride possible with current technology. Make sure your infant car seat is less than six years old, has never been in a crash, is reclining at about a 45-degree angle in the car, is secured tightly in the back seat, and the harness straps are adjusted correctly for your baby. Read the instructions and follow them carefully. Even if you don’t usually read the instructions for other products, read your car seat owner’s manual cover to cover. Also read the section of your vehicle owner’s manual that deals with occupant protection.
Moreover, it is in a parent’s best interest to have their seat and child installation checked by a professional. Manufacturers are trying to make easier installation possible, but it is up to parents to make sure they are doing it correctly. Get your seat inspected by a NHTSA trained and certified CPS Technician. Ensure that you can duplicate a correct installation and have the technician supervise you doing this. This service is provided for free in most cities by child safety organizations, or technicians may provide at-home installation for a fee. Ask local children stores, hospitals, or search online for sponsored events.
Any car seat made after 2002 can be installed with either safety belts or the LATCH system in a vehicle made in 2002 or later. Use safety belts or LATCH for an infant, whichever you prefer, but not both. If you’re worried about the performance of LATCH, use the safety belt.
Important: Once your CRS is installed, keep the owner’s manual attached to the CRS. Most seats come with a compartment or tether for this. You never know when you might have an emergency and need to move the CRS to another vehicle. Also, remember to check the CRS before each use. Other passengers can accidentally loosen belts or knock off locking clips.
Quick Summary
The best Child Restraint System is one that satisfies the following three parameters.
According to information released from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego (SRISD), the fact remains that every child restraint system on the store shelf has passed stringent federal standards that took years to develop. Today’s car seats are safe and effective when used correctly. Every car seat on the market in the United States has passed the same rigorous crash tests required by the U.S. Department of Transportation. As a rule, there are three websites providing comprehensive and trusted information on the usage of child passenger safety information; http://www.nhtsa.gov/ , http://www.carseat.org/ , and http://www.boosterseat.gov/.
Child Passenger Safety Week is held during Valentine’s Day week. NHTSA sponsors this event, which has been running for over 20 years, to educate parents and caregivers on the most up-to-date child passenger safety information. This includes the proper use of child safety seats, booster seats, and seatbelts according to the age and size of the child. Studies have shown that while 96% of parents believe they are installing their child restraint systems safely, only 20% actually are.
Previously, on June 13, 2006, NHTSA released their 2006 Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Ratings chart. Ninety-five percent of all child restraint systems (CRS) can be found in that year’s chart. Ratings of A, B, and C were assessed and based on level of difficulty in five installation categories. NHTSA began this program five years ago to encourage manufacturers to make their seats more user-friendly, because the installation and misuse rate has been so high.
This information can be accessed at: http://www.blogger.com/www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/CSSRating/Index.cfm.But how can a chart like this benefit parents? The most common questions I get asked are: “What seat is the safest; and what seat do you recommend?” These are important questions, but CRS implementation and installation are the keys. The best child restraint system for you is one that: fits your child, fits in your car, and one you can correctly install every time.
Child Safety is Paramount. Every CRS sold meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, or they are recalled instantly and eliminated from public consumption. Therefore, an actual safety rating is not the issue, and an expensive price tag doesn’t mean it is a safer seat, either. Never accept a seat second-hand! Is your child's health a second-hand concern? There is no valid way to determine factors like whether or not the seat was in a crash before or if the parents washed the harnesses. Even roughing up the seat could cause fractures in the seat base. Any of these events can compromise the crashworthiness of a CRS. If you are continuing to reuse a seat for multiple children, remember that a CRS will generally expire after six years.
As soon as you decide on a seat and install it, send in the registration card! You want to be notified immediately of any recalls on your CRS or its parts. Recalls can also be checked at NHTSA's website. Important: If you are in a crash and your CRS was in use by a restrained occupant, your insurance company should replace it for you. In many states, it is the law. Don’t expect them to ask you; you need to request the CRS be replaced.
The CRS fits your child. You absolutely must adhere to child height and weight requirements on every CRS. If you have a heavy child for their height, more model options are available to select wider seats and higher weight limits. Make sure the rear-facing position will accommodate your child’s height and weight for as long as possible as this is the safest position for the child. (*You should always have your child restrained in a rear-facing CRS until the age of one, and until the child weighs more than 20 lb*)
Be prepared to make adjustments before your child exceeds the limits of the CRS. Many CRS brands have additional features that may work better for you, depending on what stage of development your child has attained. For example, using a convertible seat from birth and up, choosing one that has an adjustable crotch strap and patented infant support for a safer and snugger fit around a newborn is a good start. Important: never use after-market products on your CRS. Anything after-market did not get tested with your CRS and the seat cannot be expected to perform as specified.
According to Katina Chester, NHTSA Certified CPS Technician and employee of the SRISD, in addition to improper installation and usage, one of the greatest challenges is the use of booster seats – or, rather, the lack of use. Child restraint use plunges after age 3. While some states have no booster seat laws and others require up to age 6, the real factor for booster seats is height. Children less than 4’9" tall (usually up to about age 8) should remain in a booster seat. NHTSA estimates that as few as 10% of children who should be using booster seats actually are. Many parents graduate their children from a booster to a seatbelt too soon, or even skip this stage altogether.
The CRS Fits in your car. Always try to install a seat before purchasing it. Not every seat works in just any car. For example, a square-based CRS could fit perfectly in one person’s car, but may be completely unstable in another vehicle’s rear seat because of bucket seats or a narrow hump in the center position. A CRS could be too tall or deep for a parent to fit in their rear seat and/or difficult to properly cinch down. While shopping have a store clerk accompany you to your vehicle and watch as you completely install the CRS into your rear seat according to the vehicle and CRS manufacturer’s instructions. If any CRS is difficult for you, don't buy it, or exchange it right away. If you are expecting a newborn, get your seat installed and inspected well in advance, then make sure you know how to adjust it properly. When the big day comes, you will be ready to safely transport your new edition home.
You can correctly install the CRS every time. Easier installation ideally means a lower chance of user error. You can have the most expensive seat on the market with all the bells and whistles and install it incorrectly, when your child would be much safer in a $50 CRS that you actually know how to use. NHTSA’s Ease of Use Ratings can help you identify different CRS in the category you need that are easy to install. However, don’t completely discount a seat you want because of a poor rating until you try it yourself. It may be the only seat that fits in your vehicle. Conversely, a seat can get an A in a category, and once you attempt that installation step, you could find it incredibly difficult.
The most important thing a parent can do is acknowledge the fact that 80% (nationwide average) of children are improperly restrained, 33% are restrained in an inappropriate seat for their height and weight. If you’re following manufacturer’s instructions, you’re giving your baby the safest ride possible with current technology. Make sure your infant car seat is less than six years old, has never been in a crash, is reclining at about a 45-degree angle in the car, is secured tightly in the back seat, and the harness straps are adjusted correctly for your baby. Read the instructions and follow them carefully. Even if you don’t usually read the instructions for other products, read your car seat owner’s manual cover to cover. Also read the section of your vehicle owner’s manual that deals with occupant protection.
Moreover, it is in a parent’s best interest to have their seat and child installation checked by a professional. Manufacturers are trying to make easier installation possible, but it is up to parents to make sure they are doing it correctly. Get your seat inspected by a NHTSA trained and certified CPS Technician. Ensure that you can duplicate a correct installation and have the technician supervise you doing this. This service is provided for free in most cities by child safety organizations, or technicians may provide at-home installation for a fee. Ask local children stores, hospitals, or search online for sponsored events.
Any car seat made after 2002 can be installed with either safety belts or the LATCH system in a vehicle made in 2002 or later. Use safety belts or LATCH for an infant, whichever you prefer, but not both. If you’re worried about the performance of LATCH, use the safety belt.
Important: Once your CRS is installed, keep the owner’s manual attached to the CRS. Most seats come with a compartment or tether for this. You never know when you might have an emergency and need to move the CRS to another vehicle. Also, remember to check the CRS before each use. Other passengers can accidentally loosen belts or knock off locking clips.
Quick Summary
The best Child Restraint System is one that satisfies the following three parameters.
- Fits properly in your car.
- Fits your child's size and weight.
- You can correctly install every time.
View NHTSA’s 2006 Ease of Use Ratings chart at: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/CSSRating/Index.cfm.
- Get an idea of what CRS you might be willing to try, as well as what CRS on the list fit your child’s height and weight needs.
- Practice installing a CRS at the store using your vehicle and CRS owner’s manual before you buy it to ensure it properly fits in your vehicle and you are able to install it correctly. If you have your child with you, harness them in as well to check for a snug and proper fit.
- Have your CRS and child installation checked by a NHTSA certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. Ensure you can duplicate correct installation on your own.
- Follow proper care and maintenance procedures for your seat per the CRS manufacturer’s instructions.
- Send in your CRS registration card so you will receive any manufacturer recall notification.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213
Highlights of the Regulation for Child Restraint Systems
- Covers all types of systems (infant carriers, child seats, harnesses, and car beds) that restrain children under 65 pounds in motor vehicles.
- Requires that child restraint systems pass a 30 mph frontal sled test, which simulates a crash.
- Specifies maximum rotation during crash test for rear-facing child restraints.
- Specifies limits on child dummy measurements for forward-facing child restraints:
- Head injury criteria (potential brain injury resulting from abrupt deceleration)
- Head excursion (distance dummy head travels forward)
- Force on chest
- Knee excursion - Requires that restraints not break during dynamic tests.
- Requires that child restraints retain a child dummy within the confines of the restraint during crash tests.
- Specifies padding requirements around the head of child restraints for use by children weighing 22 pounds or less. Flame-retardant fabric required.
- Requires that safety seats pass the 30 mph test secured with vehicle lap belt or lower LATCH attachments only as well as a more stringent test for forward-facing restraints with a tether anchored. Exceptions: child harnesses and products for children with special needs may be tested with top tether straps anchored. Boosters are tested with a vehicle lap-shoulder belt.
- Specifies the amount of force needed to open buckles on child restraints, so that toddlers cannot unbuckle themselves but adults can easily open the buckle. (Before crash test, minimum force is nine lbs. and maximum is 14 lbs.; after crash test, maximum is 16 lbs.)
- Requires permanent, visible labels on the restraint with the following information: certification that it conforms to standards for use in motor vehicles, basic instructions for correct installation, name and address of manufacturer/distributor, and date made. Air bag warning label required for rear-facing restraints. The restraint must have a designated location for storing the instruction booklet or sheet. An additional label may be present to state certification for use in aircraft.
- Permits child restraint systems to be designed as an integral part of motor vehicle seats.
- Requires that the manufacturer include a registration card with the child restraint and notify consumers of product recalls.
- As of September 1, 2002, child restraints and vehicle were required to provide LATCH attachments (FMVSS 213) and anchors (FMVSS 225). Refer to FMVSS 622 for a summary of these requirements.
SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. P.O. Box 553, Altadena, CA 91003 www.carseat.org
310/222-6860, 800/745-SAFE (English) 310/222-6862, 800/747-SANO (Spanish)
Labels: child restraint systems
