Car booster seats have made strides in ensuring a proper fit for children in the back seat, according to a review by the insurance industry. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave its top marks to 21 of 72 booster seats it evaluated for properly restraining children, or about 30 percent, according to results to be released today. Last year, the institute only handed out its “best bet’’ citation to nine of the 60 seats it reviewed, or 15 percent.
A 2009 study by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found that children ages 4 to 8 who ride in booster seats in the back seat are 45 percent less likely to sustain injuries in crashes than children wearing only seat belts. The government recommends booster seats for children over 40 pounds until they are 8 years old or 4 feet, 9 inches tall.
Booster seats built by Britax, Clek, Combi, Dorel, Evenflo, and Recaro had “best bet’’ booster seats for a second straight year. Seats by Chicco, Cybex, Graco, Harmony, and The First Years joined the “best bet’’ ranks in 2010.
The institute did not recommend: Eddie Bauer Deluxe, Eddie Bauer Deluxe 3-in-1, Evenflo Express, Evenflo Generations 65, Evenflo Sightseer, Harmony Baby Armor, Safety 1st All-in-One, and Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite.
For great tips on baby safety related to booster seats, see More About Carseats.
