Thoughts from a concerned reader or "What should parents do now?"

We received the following reaction from a reader this morning.  We feel it’s probably indicative of many parents’ feelings so we decided to give it its own post with our response.

From a concerned reader

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that you are advising parents to do nothing until the manufacturers see fit to issue a recall. This is not acceptable to me. If I had a child in an infant seat I would move that child to a convertible seat after watching these crash test videos. Why should I put my child at risk, not to mention the risk to my other children and other passengers in the car if the seat becomes a projectile, when there is an alternative (a convertible seat) that has not been shown to become detached in a crash? Frankly, I don't care if the type of crash simulated is rare.

I also don't like the assumption that the seats were installed incorrectly. I think this is just an excuse on the part of the manufacturers. If a technician preparing a crash test can't pop an infant seat into its base correctly then how on earth can we expect that a parent will do so each and every time multiple times a day? If it is so difficult to put these infants seats in that the technicians managed to mess up for multiple crash tests then the seats need to be recalled simply because they are too difficult for any normal human being to use. Please don't insult our intelligence.

Lastly, just for the record, I install all of my own children's seats and each and every time that I have had them checked by a CPST they have found them to be installed correctly.

-Indie

Safety Squad’s response

Thanks for the comments Indie. You seem like a concerned parent and someone who considers their children's safety paramount. This is an opportunity to not only address your concerns, which I'm sure many parents share, but also reinforce what we think parents should do...

It's not that we feel parents should sit on their hands.  It is absolutely acceptable to use a convertible rear-facing if that brings a parent more peace of mind.  Please understand though that not all convertibles are a good fit for newborns and infants.  It is absolutely essential that the harness slots for a rear-facing installation be at or below the baby's shoulder.  This must be ensured even if the restraint manufacturer advertises that the seat's lower weight limit is 5 pounds.  Furthermore, a convertible installation can be just as difficult and sometimes more difficult than an infant carrier type restraint.

As far as the tests highlighted in the Chicago Tribune, the videos are very dramatic as crash test videos usually are. It is important to understand the context and the goal of each test. Remember, the tests were used to determine how vehicles, not the car seats reacted to the crashes. The crashes in the videos are some of the most violent types of crashes that can be considered survivable for young children. 35 MPH into a wall may not seem seem substantial.  However, it is exceedingly more deadly than the federally mandated tests these car seats are currently required to pass. This is to say that the tests from the Tribune would fall into the deadliest top 5% of crashes. We must ask the question: At what point (MPH-wise) might parents not be shocked by watching videos of car seats performing poorly in crash tests? The answer to this is probably never.

Additionally, consider that as bad as the seats in those videos appeared to perform that the occupants in the car seats may have survived.  Of course, they may have been injured. But in a crash so severe that may be acceptable. In other words the seats may have been doing their job. We clearly won't know until the tests are studied. Certainly we don't want car seats flying off their bases.  But before we condemn car seat manufacturers and advise parents to abandon the use of infant carrier type car seats based on these videos the industry must do some things, including the following: 

1. We need to understand exactly what happened with the car seats in the tests and decide what the data means. According to the Tribune, NHTSA is still investigating to that end. We can't rely solely on what we observe visually. Reacting incorrectly to the videos can be just as deadly as suspect seats.

2. The car seat manufacturers need to weigh in. Yes, this does involve them being able to question if the seats were installed per their instructions.  It also allows for them to question if the installers were child passenger safety technicians. The Tribune article does not make that clear. Remember, that the tests were for cars not car seats.  So it's a valid question. I suspect we'll have this answer soon.

3. If warranted, design new test criteria for car seat manufacturers to pass.  Safer seats for kids are always a good idea.  Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has indicated that steps may already be in motion.  That's encouraging.

You raise the point that parents cannot be expected to install their car seat just right in the real world. Yes, it can be exceedingly difficult to install your car seat correctly. And whether you believe it to be feasible or not, we hope that parents strive to get proper installation and harness fit every time they drive with their children. Remember, it is not necessarily the case that you need to install your car seat every time you use it.  Although I understand that this is the scenario for some parents. Infant carriers in particular can be quite effective at reducing the instances of misuse because multiple bases can be employed for families with multiple vehicles. And, it's important that everyone understand that convertibles are not immune to installation problems.

You ask what parents can and should do now.  We would encourage them to carefully scrutinize their child's safety in the car as you do.  We want them to follow your example and get instruction. Because as you mentioned, if a technician (what type this latest test employed we still don't know) can  possibly get it wrong, what chance do parents at large have.  Believe me when I tell you that we never set out to insult parents' or anyone's intelligence. We sincerely apologize if we've done so.  One of our messages is that it is always the parent's choice and responsibility to decide what is right for their children. We strive to give them a filter to help them better fill that role. We endeavor to alert the parents of recalls. If you've followed this blog for any length of time you know that we will heartily criticize manufacturers when warranted. That time may come as you indicate.  But what's needed now is exactly what you suggest. That means providing advice that parents can use now.  Parents should visit a child passenger safety tech to ensure that you are using every tool within your means to maximize your child’s safety on the road. That is the best way to not put your child at risk.

Finally, Safety Squad lauds your efforts to seek the advice of a CPST each time you've installed your car seats. Encourage others to follow suit!

Comments

[Indie]

I was fully aware of all of this as I made my comment. All of my children have been born with long torsos and all three were able to be moved safely into a convertible at an early age (my first at three months when she became too heavy, my second at one month when we decided that it wasn't worth the crying that she did in the apparently uncomfortable seat, and the last immediately after birth--yes, his shoulders were even with the slots). I think it would be helpful for parents if you explained which seats have the lowest harnesses so that families with children whose torsos are short can have choices.

I don't have my seats checked every time they are installed. This would be impractical considering that my husband has to remove at least two of the three seats several times per week for work. Instead, I have educated myself on the proper installation of the seats. I will do an occasional check with a CPST and it serves more as a teaching session for the would be safety techs in training who often have no idea why I am still rear facing a child over one and using high height/weight harnessing seats. And I give them the opportunity to see a good installation with three seats across in a sedan.

[Safety Squad]

Absolutely. I think that would be a good post too. I spoke with a colleague recently from another site that we trust. They may be planning just that. If it doesn't materialize soon we'll get something up.

I'll post something when I know more.

Also, we think it's fantastic that your children are still rear-facing. Convincing, parents to stay rear-facing until they reach the rear-facing max of their convertible if possible is one of the most difficult conversations we have with parents.