IIHS: Booster Seats For Cars Are Becoming Safer

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Booster seats for children riding in cars are getting safer, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The IIHS said there aren't any new boosters seats on the market this year that they wouldn't recommend, but there are some that are better than others.

Of the 23 new booster seats, 20 are deemed a "best bet" by the IIHS. The remaining three were rated "good bets."

The nonprofit research group tested both highback and backless seats, measuring how the seat belt fits an average child in just about any vehicle.

"What we're looking for is the lap belt sit low across the top of the thighs. It's not riding up on the soft tummy. And the shoulder belt needs to fit snuggly at the center of the shoulder. It shouldn't be falling off the shoulder or riding up on the neck or face," Jessica Jermakian from IIHS said.

The IIHS is calling on manufacturers of six older models that are not recommended to stop making them. They are also urging those that have an older model to get a new one as soon as possible.

But don't throw it out before the new one is secured! The IIHS said crash tests prove any booster seat is better than no seat at all.

Luckily, the best seats are not necessarily the most expensive. The group said there is one 2015 Best Bet seat that retails for $15.

Booster seats are meant for children that outgrow their forward-facing harness car seat. This typically happens after the child turns 4-years-old and weighs 40 to 60 pounds.

The law states they should keep using a booster seat or car seat until they are 4' 9", or at least 8-years-old.