Insurance Institute For Highway Safety Names 20 New Booster Seats 'Best Bets'
By Justin Finch
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- In its 2015 evaluation, the non-profit group the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety deems 20 of 23 booster seats new to market this year as "best bets."
"In this year's booster rating, there aren't any seats we wouldn't recommend," said Jessica Jermakian of the IIHS.
Since 2008, the Institute has tested both high-back and backless seats, and focused on 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," Jermakian explained. "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."
The agency also advises parents do their research as they shop for booster seats. There are still older, non-recommended boosters seat for sale through major online retailers.
The Institute is calling on makers of 6 older, non-recommended models to discontinue them; however, if you have one, you're advised to keep it.
The Institute finds crash tests prove it's better to have a booster seat, than none at all.