Recent Study Shows Parents are Puzzled
By Kimberlee Mitchell, National Child safety Expert & CPST (Child Passenger Safety Technician)
There’s no question that parent’s #1 concern about car seats is SAFETY. However, when it comes to the specifics about car seat requirements (i.e. how long child should ride in it and the best place to install it) the majority of parents are confused and lacking knowledge. (Source: Recent study by AAA and Dorel Juvenile Group.)
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Monday, July 12, 2010
Car Seat Confusion: Which direction? Which location? When do they outgrow it?
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I'm pretty sure most of our local big box stores (Chicago) would not let you try it in your car with out purchasing it first. When we bought ours, they didn't want us to take it out of the box before we purchased it. They assured me if it didn't fit my child/car we could bring it back. Thankfully we didn't have to, because returns are insanely frustrating...and only occur after waiting in long lines. I've also found that by and large their "sales force" is dangerously lacking in information about car seats (even basic information).
ReplyDeleteIf I ruled the baby store world (HA), I'd have one of each out of the box not only for show, but for customers to try out with their car and child. I'd also try to gather information about which seats DO fit in which cars according to the customers so parents at least have a jumping off point. (I'd also make sure the bathrooms were clean, but that's a whole different germy subject :D)
Keep up the good work, I love having a great source of RELIABLE information :D
This post couldnt come at a more perfect time! I bought a convertable seat months ago and was just thinking it was time to finally install it for my 10 month old. I was looking at the box and realized that it (Britax Frontier) isnt rear facing and the lowest weight is 25 lbs. I am not going to be able to use it for MONTHS! I might have to find something to use in the meantime as her current infant seat is only up to 22 lbs. She's not quite there yet but that day is quickly approaching! She's starting to look scrunched! Here I thought I was getting the best carseat that was going to last a long time and now I have to buy another one!! So frustrating!
ReplyDeleteTed and/or Laura:
ReplyDeleteTrue, you may have to purchase the seat first and then return it if it does not fit. But at least you're not stuck with an unsafe seat that you cannot use. Return products can be quite a hassle depending on the retailer. Love your idea of a "tester" car seat...wouldn't that be ideal? Unfortunately, it would probably be very hard to keep the seat from driving off with it's new owner...free of charge. Don't get me started about the sales reps lack of knowledge...i could go on and on. It's scary to me because many parents seek guidance from them when purchasing products. I hope that I will be able to impact this in the future.
Thanks for your comments and the humor!
Michelle:
Oh-no...you bought a combination booster seat. No worries, easily fixed(although inconvenient): just take it back and get yourself a convertible seat (if you got the seat at Buy, Buy Baby, take a Bed, Bath & Beyond coupon with you for a 20% discount...just be sure to read the exclusion list). Remember, car seats are good for 6 years and when it's time to purchase a forward-facing combination seat, you'll want to be able to use it for years to come.
Good news is that you did buy a great seat! I'm so glad that this post helped you!
Why not skip the whole infant seat together? With the recent studies of oxygen loss in car seats, those seats should ONLY be used in a car anyway!
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