Car Seats: The more expensive, the better?

By Amber Jackson, CPST-I

In general, most parents would want what is best for their child. With that being said, parents can become consumed with decisions around choosing the best schools, better food, activities, and much more. There is no secret that picking the safest car seat is also a part of that process. Over the last 2 years during my time at Connecticut Children’s as an Injury Prevention Coordinator CPST (Child Passenger Safety Technician) in the Western Connecticut area, I’ve found when looking at the “best” in terms of car seats, most parents equate more expensive car seats with being the best option for their children.

After speaking to many families, ranging from first time parents to more seasoned parents, I’ve come across a pattern of parents considering only Chicco or Nuna car seats. Highly priced car seats like these can be a strain on families in underserved communities, as well as families with multiple children. When asked why a particular seat was chosen, parents responded that most of their decisions were based on word of mouth from friends and family, safety features, or simply due to using these specific car seat manufacturers for older children in the past.

The influx of Chicco, Nuna, and other highly priced car seats in the areas I serve has evoked a couple standing questions that caregivers may have. Are expensive car seats the better option for child passengers? Does the price correlate with how effective the car seat would be during an event of a car crash?

Although both manufacturers, Chicco and Nuna, are great car seat manufacturers, most car seats are just as safe! Car seats in general undergo a series of crash testing and evaluations to ensure they meet the safety standard provided by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 (FMVSS 213). Car seats are crash tested to simulate several types of real car collisions at different speeds, and can include crash test dummies for accurate crash dynamics. Materials used to manufacture car seats, weight and height limits, and installation use are also tested before hitting the car seat market. Therefore, parents are granted peace of mind when considering different manufacturers (not including counterfeit car seats). To thoroughly enforce this practice, car seat manufacturers must provide visible labels including all information regarding the car seat make and model and compliance with FMVSS standards.

When choosing the appropriate car seat, it is crucial that parents consider the weight and height restrictions of the car seat per the car seat manufacturer. It is also essential to ensure that the child is in the appropriate seat for their age and weight as required by state law. Additionally, only 1 out of 5 car seat is installed correctly; therefore, one of the most important things a parent can do is make sure the car seat will be used the correct way every single time. Making an appointment with a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician is one way to ensure your child is properly secured! A list of fitting stations can be found on www.ctsafekids.org. Appointments are free!

Parents and caregivers always have the final say in what is best for their child. However, there is much more than cost to consider when choosing the appropriate car seat for a child. The real keys to safety are:
• The child is in the correct restraint system for their age and weight as set by law
• The child is within the height and weight limits of the seat
• The seat is correctly installed
• The child is correctly secured in the seat

With these factors in mind, parents can start the journey and explore which car seat would best suite their vehicle and lifestyle by considering the safety features and ease of installation use claimed by different car seat manufacturers.

Many car seat manufacturers advertise safety features that are equipped with their line of car seats. Safety features that are commonly integrated to enforce safety are side impact protection, load leg, anti-rebound bar, adjustable headrest and harnesses, just to name a few. Some caregivers may be drawn to car seats with many features for several reasons. These features can offer additional protection and convenience, but are not strictly necessary for safety compliance. Having a seat with these features can allow for ease of use, convenience, and increased mobility, but can increase the overall price among higher end car seats.

In short, there isn’t a better car seat manufacturer that provides a blanket of security based on price, or popularity. The best car seat is the one that best serves the child’s height, weight, age, and developmental level, and will be used correctly every single time.