Handle position on keyfit?

[Unregistered]

I'm using a Keyfit (regular, not 30) and I know the manual says it can be used with the handle in any locked position, but I'm wondering if one is safer than the other. When I had a tech install the seat he said it HAD to be down, so I showed him the manual and asked him which was safer to which he said down probably would be since that is the standard, but he really didn't know. However, looking around on here I've heard that some people think it may offer some rebound protection in the up position...

I just want to do what is safest, so I figured I'd throw it out there and get everyone elses opinions on it. Thanks!

[joolsplus3]

I guess the main reason that some other seats require them to be down is that they are actually dangerous in a crash if up (like, they can shatter). The Key Fit (and Gracos, and Coscos, Mia Moda, and the Combi which MUST be up) are reinforced to not shatter and are thus not inherently dangerous to leave up. They may or may not offer any extra safety (Combi might, since it *must* be up, and Graco models in Europe are basically identical to ours and must be up), but it's certainly safe to leave them up as long as the manual allows it. I like the option of putting it up or down, myself...sometimes I don't have the time or energy to deal with it (imagine a rainy parking lot and maybe another kid or two to buckle and groceries to load...), and sometimes I want to sit next to the baby without a big bar between us :love: