Sarah Tilton
05-04-2009, 07:42 AM
Good morning - I had a PM asking about crash replacement recommendations from Britax. So, I thought I would share our information.
In the crash replacement program (no longer offered) that we use to offer, one of the requirements to qualify for submission was that the seat had to be occupied. Two completely different situations. The Replacement program was in no way related to our position regarding when a seat should be replaced.
Discontinue use of a Child Restraint
Statement in Warnings section of user guides:
To prevent injury due to deterioration or hidden damage, discontinue
use of a child seat that is older than ____ years or has been in a
moderate to severe crash. See date of manufacture located on child
seat (page 9).
– 6 years from date of manufacture (Any Britax product other than Frontier)
• Companion, Roundabout, Diplomat, Marathon, Decathlon, Boulevard, Boulevard CS, Advocate CS, Regent - 6 years from date of manufacture
– 9 years from date of manufacture
• Frontier ONLY
The following is still on the website FAQ’s – under Car Seat Basics. In general replacement we do not specify whether the seat is occupied or not.
Q. What should I do with my child seat that has been involved in a crash?
A. Britax recommends that the use of a child seat be discontinued if it has been in a severe crash. We further advise of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) position that it is not necessary to replace a child seat after a minor crash. A minor crash is one that meets ALL of following criteria:
• The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site;
• The vehicle door nearest the child restraint was undamaged;
• There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants;
• The air bags (if present) did not deploy; AND
• There is no visible damage to the child seat.
Ultimately the decision to replace is made by the parent/caregiver – there is NO ONE person (technician, instructor, CRS manufacturer) who can visually inspect a CRS and approve it as crash worthy after a seat has been involved in a crash.
Thank you
Sarah Tilton
Britax Child Safety
In the crash replacement program (no longer offered) that we use to offer, one of the requirements to qualify for submission was that the seat had to be occupied. Two completely different situations. The Replacement program was in no way related to our position regarding when a seat should be replaced.
Discontinue use of a Child Restraint
Statement in Warnings section of user guides:
To prevent injury due to deterioration or hidden damage, discontinue
use of a child seat that is older than ____ years or has been in a
moderate to severe crash. See date of manufacture located on child
seat (page 9).
– 6 years from date of manufacture (Any Britax product other than Frontier)
• Companion, Roundabout, Diplomat, Marathon, Decathlon, Boulevard, Boulevard CS, Advocate CS, Regent - 6 years from date of manufacture
– 9 years from date of manufacture
• Frontier ONLY
The following is still on the website FAQ’s – under Car Seat Basics. In general replacement we do not specify whether the seat is occupied or not.
Q. What should I do with my child seat that has been involved in a crash?
A. Britax recommends that the use of a child seat be discontinued if it has been in a severe crash. We further advise of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) position that it is not necessary to replace a child seat after a minor crash. A minor crash is one that meets ALL of following criteria:
• The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site;
• The vehicle door nearest the child restraint was undamaged;
• There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants;
• The air bags (if present) did not deploy; AND
• There is no visible damage to the child seat.
Ultimately the decision to replace is made by the parent/caregiver – there is NO ONE person (technician, instructor, CRS manufacturer) who can visually inspect a CRS and approve it as crash worthy after a seat has been involved in a crash.
Thank you
Sarah Tilton
Britax Child Safety