I just read this on another site...
Consumers Union is announcing tomorrow, January 5, that only two infant car seats (Graco SnugRide EPS and Baby Trend FlexLoc) passed its proprietary crash tests, including a side-impact crash at 38 mph. Consumers Union is advising parents to replace other models if possible and to use safety belts only, not LATCH, with four other models (Chicco KeyFit, Compass 1410, Evenflo Embrace and Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP). The report will be mentioned on NBC News tonight. Expect a lot of phone calls from parents and local media.
Talking points:
Ÿ Today’s car seats are safe and effective if used correctly. Every car seat on the market in the United States has passed the same rigorous crash tests required by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Ÿ If you’re following manufacturer’s instructions, you’re giving your baby the safest ride possible with current technology. Make sure your infant car seat is less than six years old, has never been in a crash, is reclining at about a 45-degree angle in the car, is secured tightly in the back seat and the harness straps are adjusted correctly for your baby.
Ÿ Any car seat made after 2002 can be installed either with safety belts or the LATCH system in a vehicle made in 2002 or later. Use safety belts or LATCH for an infant, whichever you prefer, but not both. If you’re worried about the performance of LATCH, use the safety belt.
Ÿ We want to see the technology continue to improve, but we don’t want parents to lose confidence in their car seats today — the best protection available. Federal standards do not call for side-impact crash tests at this time. The International Standards Organization is drafting global standards that will include side-impact tests; meanwhile, the highest standard in the world is a side-impact crash test at 19 mph that is mandatory in Australia. Consumers Union tested car seats at twice that speed.
Ÿ Read the instructions and follow them carefully. Even if you don’t usually read the instructions for other products, read your car seat owner’s manual cover to cover. Also read the section of your vehicle owner’s manual that deals with occupant protection.
In conjunction with your efforts, Safe Kids Worldwide is issuing a national news release and posting a statement on the Web site. Lorrie Walker will be interviewed live Friday morning on the New York City local news preceding the Today Show on NBC, with (or against) a spokesperson from Consumers Union, and there’s a good chance that the segment will be rebroadcast on the Today Show.
We have been in contact with all of the manufacturers involved and will have a conference call with NHTSA this afternoon. Collectively, we will be calling on Consumers Union to release their data and methodology, and in particular to explain how they came up with a 38 mph standard. For now, though, we recommend you continue to do what you do best: provide parents with the most reliable safety information available today. As always, call or e-mail us if you have any questions.