LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – You buy a car seat to keep your child safe, but Las Vegas Valley child safety advocates say they’re seeing more and more car seats offering less and less protection.
New parents often find themselves strapped for cash, so a cheaper model may seem attractive, but experts tell FOX5 Investigates, you truly do get what you pay for. A good deal for you may be bad for your child if you get into a crash.
It’s often hard to tell the difference at first glance, but some car seats just don’t offer enough protection. On Wednesday, Intermountain Health hosted an informational session to raise awareness of the potential problem.
“We see that manufacturers are making car seats that look very, very similar to name-brand car seats, but they aren’t made to fit the national federal standards of safety that are required here in the United States,” says Michelle Cameron, Intermountain Health’s Community Child Health Coordinator.
Parents purchase most of the counterfeit car seats online from third-party sellers that aren’t required to meet federal safety standards. Cameron showed us what to look for in an authentic model.
“You can see warning labels that show very clearly the standards that are met,” she says. “You can see down here on the bottom, there’s more warning labels, and they also have model number, manufacture date, and the manufacturer’s information there.”
That’s not the only way to spot the real thing. Manufacturers of authentic models reinforce them with steal, so they’ll feel heavier and more substantial. They’ll also contact a child’s body at five points; two straps go over the shoulders, two cross the legs, and a chest clip ties them all together. You should also get a detailed users’ manual when you buy from a reputable source.
One of the easiest ways to spot a fake – simply pick it up. Counterfeits are typically built completely from plastic, so they’ll be light and feel insubstantial. Most have too few contact points, and many come without instructions at all. Advocates also warn you to be suspicious of deeply discounted models.
Cameron warns parents from buying sight-unseen.
“The best resource to buy car seats that you know are going to be safe is from the manufacturer’s website, or buy them in-person in a store.”
A quality car seat can be expensive, but some Valley agencies do offer them for free, if parents agree to take a safety class. They include the UMC Foundation, and Help of Southern Nevada.
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