Most new booster seats meet safety standards

Still from video provided by IIHS

Still from video provided by IIHS

Good news for parents with young children— most new booster seats earned a top rating in the latest Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests.

Out of 53 new booster seats evaluated, 48 earned a BEST BET rating which means they are likely to provide a good seat belt fit for kids aged four to eight.

Two of the BEST BET leaders were made by Miamisburg-based Evenflo — the Big Kid (backless and highback modes) and the Safemax 3-in-1 (backless and highback modes).

A few of the other BEST BET leaders:

  • the Aidia Explorer 2-in-1 (backless and highback modes)
  • Baby Trend Protect Yumi 2-in-1 (backless and highback modes)
  • Bubblegum Pink (backless)

Despite progress, several seats given a “not recommended” rating can still be found on store shelves.

“Parents looking for a safe option for kids who have outgrown seats with built-in harnesses, have more choices than ever,” said Jessica Jermakian, IIHS research engineer, “unfortunately, we can’t declare total victory because manufacturers continue to sell sub-par boosters.”

The IIHS gave two seats made my Dorel — the Cosco Easy Elite and the Cosco Highback 2-in-1 DX — a “not recommended” rating.

The Britax Parkway SGL (backless mode), the Lil Fan Club 2-in-1 (highback) and the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120, were given a Check Fit rating, which means they make work for some kids in some vehicles.

The full list of BEST BET booster seats can be found here.

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