Carrycots – Unsafe For Car Seats

Carrycots for use in cars tested by Which? are putting babies at risk of serious injury, if not death, says the magazine.

One of the two carrycots tested, Mamas & Papas Navetta, virtually disintegrated in a front crash at about 40 mph. The cot and crash test dummy were thrown violently forward and the cot was torn apart, with the dummy barely held inside.

Bébécar Carrycot Tracker was similarly dangerous in a crash. In the side impact test, it slid across the seat into the door, smashing the dummy's head and neck. The horrific effects on the dummy were similar to holding it by its legs and dropping it on its head. Bébécar has now withdrawn the Carrycot Trucker from sale in the UK, because it was 'not very popular with buyers'. It's still on sale in Europe.

A child in either of these scenarios would almost certainly sustain serious injuries to its ribs, limbs or skull.

Currently, to meet the compulsory standard, a child seat must be able to withstand only a low-speed front crash test equivalent to around 30mph. There is no requirement for a side-impact crash. Which? is calling for children to be offered the same protection as adults and uses more severe EuroNCAP-derived crash situations to test child seats. This means, for example, a front crash at about 40mph and also a side-impact test.

Based on our findings, manufacturers should stop promoting carrycots for use in cars unless they can prove babies would be safe in the more severe crashes that EuroNCAP use in their tests.

Parents should avoid using in a car either of the carrycots that we tested, if possible. They're potential deathtraps when used in this way.

The fundamental problem is that standards for testing the safety of child car seats are too low. They must be raised now.

Andrew Howard, Head of Road Safety, The AA Motoring Trust, says it is disturbing that unsafe child seats are still on the market. However, an overall improvement is apparent which is why crash testing is so important. It is important that child seats remain affordable and practical otherwise the only option open to parents is to let a child travel loose in the car.

Also see; infant car seats.

About The Author:

Melanie Sulzberger is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-babies.com. Taking care of your babies needs including safety, toys, health and baby products.