Car seat safety and the $ bottom line $.

[dallaschildren]

Because it sells

Even when seats fail NHTSA's own safety tests, the agency doesn't always take those models off the market. From 2003 through 2005, NHTSA did not recall seven of the 10 child safety seats that failed its crash tests.

Manufacturers are able to avoid recalls if they can convince the government that the failed tests don't match the companies' own results and are close enough to meet the standard.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/s...9.story?page=3

Remember that ALL car seat manufacturers self certify their seats.

[ThreeBeans]

*shudder*

[Brilliantmama]

Reminds me that we are on our own when finding the "safest" child seats.

Seriously, we need some legislative action to protect our tiny ones.

[KayleeZoo]

DC, as a CPST, are you still recommending Dorel (Scenera for ex) and Evenflo (Triumph Advance) seats to parents who are shopping for new CRs?

Not trying to bait you, I'm genuinely curious. I would never trust a seat made by either company, but I know that not everyone can afford Britax/SK/Radian, so what do you do??

[dallaschildren]

Originally Posted by KayleeZoo

DC, as a CPST, are you still recommending Dorel (Scenera for ex) and Evenflo (Triumph Advance) seats to parents who are shopping for new CRs?

Not trying to bait you, I'm genuinely curious. I would never trust a seat made by either company, but I know that not everyone can afford Britax/SK/Radian, so what do you do??

Short answer....no. Why? I have always avoided giving any specific recommendations and when and if I do give general ones, I tell parents and caregivers that they have to ultimately make the best decision for their budget, vehicle and most importantly, their child. If pressed, I will give them my opinion on what could be seen as pros and cons to a seat but I am very careful so as not to say "buy this" IYKWIM. When given the pros and cons, I trust people will make their best decision.

[KayleeZoo]

That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for answering

[Throkmorton]

This was a disturbing article, and was a great motivator for my Radian purchase this week to replace the notched Touriva DD has been riding in for almost a year.

I am a little worried though, as I had planned to use a Radian RF for Newbean and it is way, way too tall to fit RF with proper recline in our car. Here's hoping that SS1 works out!

I have always tried to avoid giving specific reccommendations as well, unless someone asks me specifically about a certain seat. For example, i have a friend who's DD is a chunk like DS who was considering an AO. I said "you may want to watch out, as that seat has a low harness height. Because your DD is all torso, a good plan is to go to the store and actually measure how tall the harness is before you buy"

[Peony]

Yeah, that article scared me off considering a Scenera for DD2 until her Recaro Signo arrived. I ended up getting a Regent for DD1, and passing one of her MA's down to DD2 to tide her over. Scary article.