Protecting Your Children the Right Way
Although 96 percent of parents who use child safety seats, booster seats and safety belts to protect their children think they are doing it correctly, check ups continually show that 4 out of 5 unintentionally make mistakes that could result in their child being injured or killed in a crash. 

The National Transportation Safety Board has called upon automakers and others to establish permanent child safety seat fitting stations so that every parent may have every opportunity to be sure that every child is riding safely in every vehicle.  To find a child safety seat fitting station in your area visit www.seatcheck.org or call 1-866-SEAT CHECK.

The National Transportation Safety Board has also called upon the 50 States to enact laws to require that all children up to 8 years old use child restraint systems and booster seats and that all children age 12 and younger ride in the rear seat.

Today, all 50 States and the District of Columbia have child restraint laws.  However, only 18 States and the District of Columbia require children up to 8 years old to use child restraint systems and boosters seats as recommended.  To find out what your State laws is visit www.usa.safekids.org.  

Use the Correct Child Restraint System for Your Child’s Age and Size

1. Keep your child in a rear-facing seat until your child is at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds.
2. Use a forward-facing seat with a harness after your child has outgrown their rear-facing seat.  Your child should stay in this seat until they weigh approximately 40 pounds or their ears reach the top of the seat.
3. Use a booster seat when your child has outgrown the forward-facing seat.  Be sure to check the height and weight limits for the seat you own.  Your child needs to use a booster seat from about 4 to 8 years old or until your child reaches about 4 feet, 9 inches.
4. Keep your child in a booster seat until the adult lap-and-shoulder belt fits properly.  The seat belt should lie across the chest between the neck and arm and the lap belt must be across the upper thighs, not the soft stomach.
5. An adult lap-and-shoulder belt can be used when your child is tall enough (usually about 4 feet, 9 inches) to sit against the back of the car’s seat with their legs bent at the knees with their feet hanging down.

Courtesy: National Transportation Safety Board

The following child seat recalls are the most recent releases reported by the NHTSA. For a complete list of recalls please visit NHTSA's Defects & Recalls page to search by manufacturer.

BRITAX CHILD SAFETY, INC.
Make: BRITAX
Models: E9L47 (DECATHLON)
Production Dates: February 12, 2005 - July 31, 2007
Defect: CERTAIN BRITAX DECATHLON CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, MODEL E9L47, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 12, 2005, THROUGH JULY 31, 2007. THE HARNESS ADJUSTER HOUSING CAN POP OUT OF POSITION WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO ADJUST THE HARNESS TO FIT SNUGGLY AROUND THE CHILD.

Make: BRITAX
Models: E9L39 (REGENT)
Production Dates: December 18, 2006 - January 18, 2007
Noncompliance: CERTAIN BRITAX REGENT CLASSIC FORWARD-FACING ONLY YOUTH CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, MODEL E9L3998, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 18, 2006, AND JANUARY 18, 2007. THESE CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INCORRECT LABEL SEWN TO THE FABRIC COVER WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 213, CHILD RESTRAINTS SYSTEMS. IN PLACE OF THE "WARNING! DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY CAN OCCUR" WARNING LABEL, AN AIRBAG WARNING LABEL WAS ATTACHED. THE AIRBAG WARNING LABEL IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THE REGENT CLASSIC RESTRAINT AS IT IS A FORWARD-FACING ONLY YOUTH RESTRAINT SYSTEM.

Make: BRITAX
Models: E906 (MARATHON), E9L06 (MARATHON), E9W06 (MARATHON)
Production Dates: May 23, 2006 - July 28, 2006
Noncompliance: CERTAIN BRITAX MARATHON CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, MODELS E9L06, E9W06, AND E906, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 23 THROUGH JULY 28, 2006. DURING TESTING, THE TETHER HOOK OPENED WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE AND CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM INTEGRITY REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 213, CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS.

Make: CHICCO
Models: CORTINA TRAVEL SYSTEMS, KEYFIT, KEYFIT 30
Production Dates: February 26, 2008 - March 17, 2008
Defect: CHICCO USA, INC. IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 18,000 BASES USED IN KEYFIT AND KEYFIT 30 REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS AND IN CORTINA TRAVEL SYSTEMS, AND STAND-ALONE BASES FOR THESE SYSTEMS PURCHASED SEPARATELY, THAT WERE MANUFACTURED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 26 AND MARCH 17, 2008. SOME OF THESE BASES HAVE A DEFECT THAT CAN PREVENT THE BASE FROM BEING TIGHTLY SECURED TO A VEHICLE WHEN THE LOWER LATCH ATTACHMENTS ARE USED AS A METHOD OF INSTALLATION. SPECIFICALLY, WHEN A DEFECTIVE BASE IS INSTALLED WITH THE LOWER LATCH ATTACHMENT STRAPS, THE WEBBING USED TO TIGHTEN THE BASE TO THE VEHICLE SEAT CAN SLIP THROUGH THE ADJUSTMENT LOCK.

Make: COMBI
Models: 4400 (TRAVEL SYSTEMS), 4515 (TRAVEL SYSTEMS), 4520 (TRAVEL SYSTEMS), 8065 (CENTRE ARB), 8065 (CENTRE), 8065 (SHUTTLE), 8074 (CENTRE ARB), 8074 (CENTRE), 8074 (SHUTTLE), 8086 (CENTRE ARB), 8086 (CENTRE), 8086 (SHUTTLE), 8087 (CENTRE ARB), 8087 (CENTRE), 8087 (SHUTTLE), 8520 (CENTRE ARB), 8520 (CENTRE), 8520 (SHUTTLE)
Production Dates: October 19, 2005 - December 15, 2007
Defect: COMBI IS RECALLING 67,167 CENTRE, CENTRE ARB, AND SHUTTLE INFANT CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, MODEL NOS. 8065, 8074, 8086, 8087, AND 8520, AND ASSOCIATED TRAVEL SYSTEMS, MODEL NOS. 4400, 4515, AND 4520, THAT CONTAIN CENTRE AND SHUTTLE CAR SEAT MODELS. THIS RECALL INCLUDES THE ENTIRE PRODUCTION OF THESE MODELS FROM OCTOBER 2005 THROUGH DECEMBER 2007. IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, THE CAR SEAT COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME SEPARATED FROM ITS BASE.

Make: COSCO
Models: TOURIVA
Production Dates: September 28, 2004 - September 20, 2007
Safety Improvement: CERTAIN COSCO TOURIVA CONVERTIBLE CHILD RESTRAINTS, MODELS 22100TTD, 22100FSN, 22100TIP, 22111FSM, AND 22130WAL, AND COSCO REGAL RIDE, MODEL 22139MON, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 28, 2004, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 20, 2007. MODELS 22100FSM AND 22111FSM WERE ALSO SOLD AS TWO PACKS WITH MODEL 93100FSM AND 93111FSM. THE OUTSIDE PACKAGING WOULD HAVE THE 93 NUMBER HOWEVER THE INDIVIDUAL UNITS ARE MARKED WITH THE 22.

Make: COSCO
Models: REGAL RIDE
Production Dates: September 28, 2004 - September 20, 2007
Safety Improvement: CERTAIN COSCO TOURIVA CONVERTIBLE CHILD RESTRAINTS, MODELS 22100TTD, 22100FSN, 22100TIP, 22111FSM, AND 22130WAL, AND COSCO REGAL RIDE, MODEL 22139MON, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 28, 2004, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 20, 2007. MODELS 22100FSM AND 22111FSM WERE ALSO SOLD AS TWO PACKS WITH MODEL 93100FSM AND 93111FSM. THE OUTSIDE PACKAGING WOULD HAVE THE 93 NUMBER HOWEVER THE INDIVIDUAL UNITS ARE MARKED WITH THE 22.

Make: EVENFLO
Models: 3021769Z (DISCOVERY), 3021854Z (DISCOVERY)
Production Dates: February 4, 2008 - February 4, 2008
Defect: EVENFLO IS RECALLING 1,038 DISCOVERY INFANT CHILD RESTRAINTS, MODELS 3021769Z AND 3021854Z, MANUFACTURED ON FEBRUARY 4, 2008. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING VARIABILITY, SOME UNITS MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT COMPLETE ASSEMBLY OF THE RELEASE HANDLE LOCATED ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT.

Make: EVENFLO
Models: 390 (DISCOVERY), 391 (DISCOVERY), 534 (DISCOVERY), 552 (DISCOVERY)
Production Dates: April 1, 2005 - January 29, 2008
Safety Improvement: EVENFLO IS RECALLING 1,000,000 MODELS 390, 391, 534, AND 552 DISCOVERY CAR SEATS OR ASSOCIATED TRAVEL SYSTEMS MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 2008. IN RECENT LABORATORY TESTS CONDUCTED BY EVENFLO AND NHTSA TO EVALUATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE SEATS IN HIGH IMPACT SIDE COLLISIONS, IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE CAR SEAT COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME SEPARATED FROM ITS BASE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS.

Make: GRACO
Models: 8487BELI CARGO ULTRA, 8487SMP CARGO ULTRA, 8487WBR CARGO ULTRA, 8686ROS TREASURED CARGO, 8689FAR PLATINUM CARGO, 8D01ZPH PLATINUM CARGO, 8D02SYC PLATINUM CARGO, 8D03WIK CARGO BOOSTER, 8D04SDN CARGO BOOSTER, 8D05NWY PLATINUM CARGO, 8D10CCE PLATINUM CARGO
Production Dates: January 9, 2007 - March 3, 2008
Noncompliance: GRACO IS RECALLING 121,042 CARGO BOOSTER SEATS (CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS) MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 9, 2007 AND MARCH 3, 2008. THESE SEATS WERE LABELED WITH AN INCORRECT TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE LABELING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 213, CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS.

Make: GRACO
Models: COMFORTSPORT
Production Dates: October 22, 2007 - October 22, 2007
Noncompliance: CERTAIN GRACO COMFORTSPORT CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, MODEL 8C02MRC2, MANUFACTURED ON OCTOBER 22, 2007, WERE NOT CERTIFIED TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 213, 'CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS.' THESE SEATS WERE PRODUCED WITH CONVOLUTED FOAM THAT WAS 1.5" THICK INSTEAD OF THE 1" THICK FOAM THAT GRACO SPECIFIED AND TESTED. SEATS WITH 1.5" FOAM HAVE NOT BEEN TESTED SO IT IS UNCLEAR AS TO WHAT IMPACT THIS WILL HAVE ON COMPLIANCE TO THE STANDARD AND ON CHILD SEAT SAFETY.

Make: GRACO
Models: SNUGRIDE
Production Dates: August 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007
Defect: CERTAIN GRACO SNUGRIDE CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, MODELS 8609, 8616, 8643, 8645, AND 8646, MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1, 2006, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2007. THE FIBER BACKING OF THESE SEATS ARE OF LESSER DENSITY AND MAY BE MORE PRONE TO DETERIORATION OR TEARING, ESPECIALLY AFTER WASHING. IN ADDITION, THE PARTICULAR DESIGN OF THE SEAT PAD MAY ALLOW MORE READY ACCESS TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE PADDING.

Make: GRACO
Models: COMFORTSPORT
Production Dates: January 2, 2007 - July 31, 2007
Noncompliance: CERTAIN GRACO COMFORTSPORT 5 POINT HARNESS CONVERTIBLE (REAR/FORWARD FACING) CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2 THROUGH JULY 31, 2007, MODEL NOS. 8433FOF, 8629TWL, 8630MTR, 8631DFT, 8631DRA, 8632PSO, 8635TAC, 8639COS, 8C00BLG, 8C00DMN, 8C00GRP, 8C00LNW, 8C00MID, 8C00TMB, 8C01SVD, 8C01WTN, 8C02MGI, 8C02MRC, 8C03HAL, 8C03WCF, 8C04FRR. DURING PRODUCTION, THE LOWER ANCHORAGE BELT IN SOME OF THESE CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS WAS INCORRECTLY ROUTED. AS A RESULT, WHEN THESE CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS ARE USED IN THE REAR-FACING MODE, ATTACHED WITH THE LOWER ANCHORAGE BELT, THEY FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 213, 'CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS.'

Make: MIAMODA
Models: VIVA
Production Dates: December 19, 2006 - February 7, 2007
Noncompliance: CERTAIN MIAMODA, MODEL VIVA, INFANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS OR THE SEPARATELY SOLD BASES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 19, 2006, AND FEBRUARY 6, 2007. IN CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES, THE LOWER ANCHOR CONNECTOR ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY MAY INTERFERE WITH THE CONNECTION OF THE INFANT CARRIER TO THE BASE. ALSO, REGISTRATION CARDS WERE NOT PROVIDED WITH THE VIVA INFANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM OR THE SEPARATELY SOLD BASES WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 213, CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS.

Make: RECARO
Models: COMO, SIGNO
Production Dates: July 7, 2007 - December 18, 2007
Defect: RECARO IS RECALLING 7,498 SIGNO AND COMO CONVERTIBLE CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS WITH COLOR MODEL CODES OF 330.00 AND 331.00, MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO DECEMBER 18, 2007. THE HARNESS MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE HARNESS CONNECTOR WHEN A CHILD IS PLACED IN OR REMOVED FROM THE CHILD SEAT.