Infant seat handle help

[dragonfly8]

I have a safety 1st designer 22 infant car seat. I have looked over and over in the manual and it doesn't state anywhere (that I can see) that the handle has do be clicked in the "down" position when the seat is in the vehicle. The pics of the seat to show you how to install it however, has the handle down. Does it need to be? Or in this case does it not matter? I know that with some seats it is a requirement (I have heard it will be in the manual if it is) but of course, don't want to put my babe at risk...................

The reason I ask is that it is a bit longer of an infant seat than lets say, a graco, and it is difficult (well, more of an inconvenience than anything) to put the handle down but if it is required, then I will. I will have to lift up on the top of the shell a bit in order for it to click down. Does that make sense?


Any help appreciated!

[Jewels]

Yes the handle on the Designer 22 needs to be down.

I can't see the online manual without having a product # and DOM but it should say in there what the acceptable handle positions are for traveling in the vehicle.

[snowbird25ca]

Just want to agree with Jewels. The designer 22 seat has to have the handle back in the car.

There are currently 3 seats available in Canada that allow the handle up in the car:
- Graco Snugride (position a, d, and e allowed for vehicle travel - A is all the way up.)
- Graco SS1 (position a, c, d allowed for vehicle travel - A is all the way up)
- Combi infant seats (handle MUST be up in the vehicle on combi infant seats.)

[hipmaman]

What others have said, but my golden rule is when in doubt, handle down, (except the Combi, always forgot about this one ;) )

[Shanora]

is there a particular reason why the Combi needs to be up??

[snowbird25ca]

is there a particular reason why the Combi needs to be up??

Basically Combi has tested it that way and the manual instructs it to be left up in the vehicle. If you check the combi chat transcript it's briefly mentioned in there. :thumbsup: The only real reason given was "because that's the way we tested it" :shrug-shoulders:

There are those who see leaving the handle up as allowing some form of a rebound bar protection. It's quite common in EU seats to leave the handles up from what I understand.

[Jewels]

Because that is how the seat is tested.

You have to go by what the manual says and they don't usually say "why" the handle has to be up or down or either so all we know is that is how the seat was tested.

[Shanora]

oh ok.....I was just wondering if there was another reason, other than the "Manual states as much"....LOL.

Thanks!!

[lil96]

There are those who see leaving the handle up as allowing some form of a rebound bar protection. It's quite common in EU seats to leave the handles up from what I understand.

funny you say that, bc with my Primo Viaggio, it says in the manual must be in the position where it would be closest the the child's feet (not exact words, but you get my drift) when in the car. But on the side on the car seat it says it can be used in any position, feet, above, above the head...

I always thought it "looked" safest at the feet?

[joolsplus3]

funny you say that, bc with my Primo Viaggio, it says in the manual must be in the position where it would be closest the the child's feet (not exact words, but you get my drift) when in the car. But on the side on the car seat it says it can be used in any position, feet, above, above the head...

I always thought it "looked" safest at the feet?

The crash testing I've seen of it at the feet looks really good. But what country are you in? I've never seen a seat in the US/CD that the handle moves that direction at all. :confused: