The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has published its newest booster
seat ratings to help consumers choose the child safety seat that most
safely fits their vehicle. Out of 60 booster seats, the IIHS is offering
9 BEST BETS and 6 GOOD BETS based on their ability to fit with vehicle
seat belts so that a child is kept secure and protected during a car crash.
The IIHS is not recommending 11 of the child safety seats it examined
because it says that they don’t allow vehicle seat belts to properly
fit over child occupants.
Nearly all of the models sold in the United States were included in this
latest round of booster seat evaluations. The IIHS intends to rate future
models as they are released.
Our child products liability lawyers know how devastating it can be to
have your child seriously injured in a car crash because the booster seat
that you thought would keep your baby safe was defective, poorly made,
or unsafe. It is important that you are given the information that will
allow you to select a seat that will keep your child secure during a motor
vehicle crash.
Booster Seats that Made the IIHS 2009 BEST BETS LIST:
- Clek Oobr
- Cosco Juvenile Pronto
- Britax Frontier
- Combi Dakota
backless with clip
- Evenflo Big Kid Amp
backless with clip
- Maxi-Cosi Rodi XR
- Recaro Young Sport
- Eddie Bauer Auto Booster
- Recaro Vivo
The IIHS GOOD BETS 2009 List:
- Combi Kobuk 
backless with clip
- Britax Parkway SG
- Maxi-Cosi Rodi
- Graco TurboBooster
SafeSeat Step 3, Wander
- Evenflo Symphony 65
- Graco TurboBooster
SafeSeat Step 3, Sachi
The NOT RECOMMENDED 2009 Booster Seat List:
- Alpha Omega
- Safety 1st All-in-One
- Alpha Omega Elite
- Eddie Bauer Deluxe
- Combi Kobuk
- Eddie Bauer Deluxe 3-in-1
- Harmony Secure Comfort Deluxe
- Evenflo Sightseer
- Evenflo Express
- Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite
- Alpha Omega Luxe Echelon
A booster seat is supposed to position your son or daughter in a manner
that will allow the vehicle’s seat belt to fit over the body better.
The shoulder belt should snugly cross over the center of the child’s
shoulder and the lap belt should fit over the child’s upper thighs
rather than the soft abdomen area. Failure to ensure a proper fit can
result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, organ injuries,
and death during an auto accident.
It is the responsibility of booster seat manufacturers to make child safety
seats that can keep kids safe, are defect free, come with clear instructions
for proper use, and caution against any unforeseen hazards.
New booster ratings: 9 BEST BETS & 6 GOOD BETS; 11 out of 60 seats
evaluated aren’t recommended, IIHS, December 22, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Child Passenger Safety – Studies and Reports, NHTSA
Car Seats, Consumer Reports
You may be entitled to products liability compensation for your child’s injuries that occurred because of your child safety seat. Contact our child seat defect lawyers today.