SAFETY SQUAD: Empowing Your Family

Don't Gamble on Infant Seats, Safety Squad's Top Ten is Coming

Over the last few months, we have been really light on the commentary. You probably noticed. We've had a busy summer and have plenty to talk about in the coming months.

This past May, we partnered with one of the largest birthing hospitals in the nation to provide personalized car seat installation training for parents. This fee-based service has begun to fill a tremendous need in Chicago. While providing premier service to parents focused on car seat installation instruction, it has also freed-up limited space for other parents in existing free or donation based services.

This summer we worked with hundreds of Graco, Chicco, Peg Perego, Maxi-Cosi and Orbit infants seats. The result: We know what is good and what is not. Before we talk more about our experience, we are going on a little trip.

Tomorrow, we are going back to Las Vegas to attend the ABC Expo. Last year, we got an inside look at the industry. We are returning this year to speak with manufacturers about the issues we have found and the solutions best for parents.

When we return, we will be publishing our Top Ten List of Infant Seats. This list will be based on our experiences with the actual base installation and carrier ease of use. 

On the convertible seat front, we are currently reviewing new seats including the Britax Boulevard CS. Stay tuned.

Chicco Key Fit: You can tell a CPS tech designed it.

If you read this blog, then you know that we call companies out when something's wrong, but we also praise those that care to "get it right".

While we don't endorse seats or take sponsorship from any particular manufacturer, we do have our favorites. One of our favorite infant seats is the Chicco Key Fit 30. The Key Fit 30 is a top-rated seat, but ratings often don't translate to actual ease of use or convenience for parents. In this case, they do!

Everything about the seat is thoughtful. While no seat installs itself, and everyone should seek out a CPS tech for assistance, this seat gives parents a fighting chance. We'll break down this seat into areas that relate to misuse of seats, in general....

Clek Olli Review

The Clek Olli is a backless, belt-positioning booster, rated for children 40-100 pounds and 40-57” tall. The Olli is one of two booster seats with rigid lower LATCH attachments. It is also one of a handful that allows LATCH to be used at all as a booster.

As with all boosters, the Olli must always be used with both a lap AND shoulder belt. Children 12 and under should always be seated in the rear seat, even if there is no active airbag in the vehicle. Since the Olli is backless...

Recaro Como Announcement: Part Two, Commentary

Over the last year, we have become increasingly disturbed by the conduct of car seat manufacturers when faced with a possible recall. On the 20th of December, Recaro North America issued a "Consumer Advisory" for the Recaro Como child seat. We are amazed at how poorly they have addressed the issue.

Back Story: Recaro provides robust construction, side-impact protection and style. You pay for those features, but what you get when properly installed, is a safe seat. They have some downsides, but in general, they have a good product and good reputation. That they may have to issue a recall is not a shocker. Every manufacturer eventually has recalls. When handled well they improve the brand, not hurt it.

The following references seatbelt installations not LATCH installations. If you are using LATCH you should not be concerned about the "lock-off" issue being addressed. 

Safety Squad works with all types of seats and installations. It's not uncommon for us to install one seat four or more different ways in one vehicle to find the best position. We deal with lock-offs every day and often call manufacturers when something is unclear; if we don't understand...then parents definitely won't. Car seat makers installed lock-offs on seats as a supplement or alternative to locking devices built into vehicles (locking retractors, locking latch plates, etc). Many of the errors parents make when installing seats with seatbelts can be related to locking difficulties. So, car seat makers added lock-offs to make it easier. When a lock-off is used instead of a switchable retractor or latch plate and the lock-off fails the seat will loosen.