Child Car-Seat and Stroller Safety Tips

Child Car-Seat and Stroller Safety Tips

In media coverage of CR's "Child Car-Seats" and "Strollers" reports, news outlets may reproduce the following consumer tips with the credit line: Consumer Reports, May 2003, www.ConsumerReports.org.

Car Seat Safety Tips

Remember that the safest place for a car seat is in your vehicle's rear seat-never upfront near an air bag. For children less than 1 year old and not over 20 pounds, the car seat should face the rear of the vehicle and recline at an optimum 45-degree angle. If it doesn't angle properly, prop up the rear of the seat with a piece of a foam "noodle" pool toy or a rolled-up towel.
When possible, buy new. Don't accept a hand-me-down with an unknown history or one that is more than six years old. Check for recalled models at www.nhtsa.gov.
When the seat is installed, try shifting it from side to side and back to front. It shouldn't move more than an inch. If it slips on the car upholstery, especially leather seats, put plastic mesh shelf liner under the seat for more grip.
Harness straps in a rear-facing car seat should be at or slightly below the infant's shoulders. For front-facing toddlers, harness straps should be at or slightly above the toddler's shoulders. If a harness is properly snug, you should not be able to insert more than one of your fingers behind it.
Replace a car seat that has been involved in even a minor crash.
Return the warranty card so you can be notified of a recall.

Booster Seat Safety: How do I know if my kids have outgrown their booster seat?
Children should be in a booster seat until they can sit in a vehicle's rear seat with their back comfortably against the backrest, their knees bent comfortably over the edge, with the vehicle shoulder belt crossing mid-chest and the lap belt snug across the top of their thighs.

Stroller Safety Tips

Use the safety belt or harness to restrain children and prevent tipping.
Make sure the frame-locking mechanism is properly engaged to avoid collapse, and use the parking brake when stopped. CR does not recommend the Baby Jogger SJ3-16 because its parking brake was judged ineffective in our testing.
Don't overload the stroller. Don't use with a child heavier than the manufacturer's weight limit, and don't put more children in the stroller than its design allows.
Don't hang heavy bags on stroller handles, which might cause the stroller to tip.
Keep the child away from the stroller when you're folding and unfolding it to avoid pinched fingers.
Never use a pillow, folded quilt, or blanket as a mattress in a stroller or baby carriage. They could cause the baby to suffocate.
Return the stroller warranty card so can you can be notified of a recall.

MAY 2003

View Files Sorted By Office: Consumers Union OPI, New York - Washington DC Office
West Coast Regional Office - Southwest Regional Office - Consumer Policy Institute

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