ADAC - child seat test 2015
NEW YORK - Most rear-facing car seats infant on the market failed crash tests using stricter standards than the government uses, Consumer Reports said Thursday.
The magazine crash test 12 baby-seat brands and found that 10 didn t provide adequate protection.
Car seats have already passed crash tests from the federal government, which are carried forward at 30 miles per hour.
Consumer Reports, however, tested the seats with the same standards that the government uses in testing vehicles - for accidents prior to 35 miles per hour and for side crashes at 38 miles per hour.
At these higher speeds, Consumer Reports found, baby seats facing backwards flew from their bases or twisted violently upon impact, in one case hurling dummy 30 feet from the car.
One seat, the Evenflo Discovery, didn t even meet federal standards, according to the magazine, who said he is seeking a federal recall of the seat.
CEO Evenflo Robert Matteucci questioned the laboratory tests used by consumer reports over the decades to do tests, we know that if all variables are strictly applied - the way the seat is strapped crash dummy test used - variables can affect the outcome, Matteucci Matteucci said Evenflo tests all car seats to 31 5 mph, exceeding the 30 mph set by the National Highway Traffic Safety administration.
Don Mays, senior director of product safety and science of consumers for consumer reports, doesn t think the federal standards go far enough Some of the same manufacturers selling the same seats in Europe that work better in the tests than in U S he said.
The 12 models represented the most popular seats in the market, said Mays.
Only the Baby Trend Flex-Loc and Graco SnugRide with EPS performed well in tests of the magazine.
The seat bases are attached to the car by the seat belt or a series of belts, known as the attachments of locking the anchor metal hook in the car lock means lower anchors and children.
The Chicco KeyFit, Compass I410, Evenflo Embrace, and Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP works well as long as the seat is a tight fit from seat belts in the vehicle rather than the LATCH system, according to Mays seats assessed were all facing rear carriers that snap into a base.
The other seats tested and have a bad belt or latch results include the Britax Companion, Graco SafeSeat and Combi Center ST.
Safety 1st Designer, sold as part of a travel system, had belt and locking problems.
Finally, Eddie Bauer Comfort arrested but available in some stores could not be safely installed, according to Consumer Reports.
The magazine notes that any car seat is better than no car seat at all.
Consumer Reports suggest attaching the self-baby seat in the rear central position of the rear vehicle seat.
The report also invites consumers to send registration cards to manufacturers when they purchase a new home so they can be informed in a recall.
Finally, consumers can visit the website to find an inspection station without car seat.
Consumer Reports, which is published by the organization said nonprofit Consumers Union, will take place the story in its February issue.
Most infant car seats do crash test, mostly infant, does manage.