Most Infant Seats Flunk Crash Tests

Do I have your attention? Because when I saw that, it certainly grabbed mine!

I got an email yesterday from MothersClick -- I'm not sure how I got added on to their email list, but I'm actually quite glad that I did! Because in their email, they highlighted an article found in Yahoo News called, Most Infant Seats Flunk Crash Test that was performed by Consumer Reports (they published their findings at the end of December).

Now, just so you know ... if Consumer Reports says it ... than generally, I believe it. Why? Because they do so many tests and reviews, and they lay their name on the line behind each result. They are careful, and thorough. I have never been misguided by them. I trust them.

In this instance, they tested 12 car seats and found that out of the 12, 10 (as in TEN) FLUNKED new front and side-crash tests! Okay ... in all fairness, their exact wording was, "failed disastrously in crashes at speeds as low as 35 mph..." S.e.r.i.o.u.s.l.y! Ten out of twelve FAILED! That's quite frightening. And out of those ten, Evenflo Discovery was the poorest performer, and Consumer Reports is urging a federal recall -- dear heavens, that's pretty serious!

So, who are the two that passed? Well, fortunately, one of them is the one we happen to own, thanks to Auntie Sunshine (God bless her!) -- the Graco SnugRide with EPS. The other is the Baby Trend Flex-Loc. I LOVE my Graco travel system which comes with the SnugRide car seat (pictured to the right), and is sadly, far, FAR more than the $90 price tag quoted in the article, but if you are simply looking for just the Graco SnugRide with EPS car seat, then I think you can find it for around $80! Same with the Baby Trend Flex-Loc.

Also, the article said that car seats that were strapped in with the car's seat belts seemed to do better than the ones strapped in with the LATCH system. Very interesting!

Here are some of the seats that failed...

1) The Evenflo Discovery, which flew off its base with the dummy still strapped inside.
2) The Eddie Bauer Comfort Seat, which technicians were unable to fit properly in any of five different cars.
3) The Graco SafeSeat and the Britax Companion, which jumped off the seat, then slammed back again.

Hellllloooooo!!! Evenflo, Eddie Bauer, Graco, Britax ... these are all names that as mothers, we trust! Not to mention, pay a lot of money for their products!

So, if you're pregnant, and in need of a new infant carrier, or you know of someone in the market for one ... then check out the following articles before making a purchase! And further more, look for a seat with EPS. It's a child's life at stake, and the child could be yours!

CONSUMER REPORT ARTICLE
Yahoo News
CBS News
ABC News
CNN
The Christian Post

Auntie Sunshine -- thank you for loving so much that you gave the very best, no matter the cost! Who knew?!