Comments on: The Scoop on the IIHS Booster Seat Tests: From “Best Bet” to “Not Recommended”

By: BookMama

BookMama — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:13:04 +0000

So, the overriding message still seems to be find a booster that fits your child and your vehicle correctly. Still a great message, with regard to ALL car seats, whether harnessed or booster.

And I agree, some new designs sure would be nice.

By: kat_momof3

kat_momof3 — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:16:47 +0000

Great interview… it really is all about how the child fits in the booster.

By: Some Responses to the new IIHS Booster Seat Test Ratings

Some Responses to the new IIHS Booster Seat Test Ratings — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:08:49 +0000

[...] The Scoop on the IIHS Booster Seat Tests: From “Best Bet” to “Not Recommended̶… [...]

By: Heather (murphydog77)

Heather (murphydog77) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:12:21 +0000

I couldn’t agree with you more, Kecia. It seems like booster design hasn’t changed much over the years but for adding memory foam here and there to make them more comfortable. Design has changed in the past few years, but so has the number of kids riding in boosters. We certainly know that the market drives manufacturing, so as more and more kids use boosters, I’m sure we’ll see more and different designs.

I am concerned about the lack of emphasis the IIHS placed on “fits your vehicle, fits your child.” We know that parents are eager to move to the booster phase because it’s easier: it’s easier to buy, put together, put in the car, move from car to car, and buckle the kid into. Reality is that because of the design of vehicles–where the buckle stalks emerge from the seat bight, where the shoulder belts are anchored–can greatly change the fit of the seat belt on the child when he’s in the booster and while it may rate as a “Best Bet” for IIHS, it may actually fit the child poorly in that child’s daily vehicle. We say it until we’re blue in the face, but until a recognized source releases it in a press release, I’m afraid we’ll still be ignored.