Booster Seat Safety
Jessica Choksey

Graduating from car seat to booster seat should not compromise your child's safety. But how do you really know if that safety seat is keeping your child as safe as possible?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, it isn't about price, name brand or features-it is simply about fit.

This is the second time the Institute has tested for booster seat safety since 2008. So, in addition to testing new seats on the market, they are also able to compare the new booster ratings with the previous test results to see if any particular seats have improved.

Currently, it is recommended that all children ride in front-facing child restraint seats until they out grow that seat-are about 4 years old and weigh 40 pounds-before graduating to a booster seat. Children should stay in a booster seat until the adult belts fit correctly, which is usually when a child reaches about 4'9" in height and is between 8 and 12 years of age.

Booster seats, unlike child safety seats, do not provide additional restraints, so seat belt fit is key to protect them in a crash.

Of the 60 models the IIHS examined in this new round of evaluations, nine belt-positioning booster were considered Best Bets, six were designated Good Bets, and 11 of the seats had such poor fit that the Institute doesn't recommend them at all. That said, the Institute does has recommendations on what to do if your seat is not favorable and cost is an issue.

ANNE McCARTT: If you already have one of the seats on our NOT RECOMMENDED list, don't throw it away. Any booster is better than no booster at all. Take a look at the belt fit. If it's not doing a good job, replace it as soon as you can with one that does better.

For a complete list ranking these booster seats you can check out the IIHS website. And that's it for this week's MotorNews.