Best Bets
Britax Frontier 85 (combination highback)
Chicco Keyfit Strada (dual highback)
Clek Oobr (dual highback)
Cosco Juvenile Pronto (dual highback)
Cybex Solution X-Fix (highback)
Eddie Bauer Auto Booster (dual highback)
Evenflo Big Kid Amp (backless)
Evenflo Maestro (combination highback)
Graco TurboBooster Crawford (dual highback)
Harmony Baby Armor (dual highback)
Harmony Dreamtime (dual backless)
Harmony Dreamtime (dual highback)
Harmony Secure Comfort Deluxe (backless)
Harmony Youth Booster Seat (backless)
Maxi-Cosi Rodi XR (dual highback)
Recaro ProBOOSTER (highback)
Recaro ProSPORT (combination highback)
Recaro Vivo (highback)
Recaro Young Sport (combination highback)
Safety 1st Boost Air Protect (dual highback)
The First Years Pathway B570 (highback)

To conduct this test, the IIHS used a crash-test dummy representing the average six-year old. Engineers measured how well each of the 72 booster seat models positioned the three-point lap and shoulder belts on the dummy under four conditions spanning the range of belt configurations in a variety of vehicle types.

The IIHS test provides an important assessment when choosing a booster seat and educates parents on how belts should fit and what to look for. The IIHS test is based on fit to a dummy that represents an average sized six-year-old child, but as we know, children and cars come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to do your own assessment to make sure the belt properly fits your child in their booster. If you determine that the belts fit fine and the seat is positioned properly, then it should provide good protection. Just as we recommend to try a car seat in your car before you buy, it’s also important to try out your child in the seat, as well.

When assessing booster fit, ask these key questions:

• Does the booster seat position the shoulder belt across the clavicle/collar bone, approximately mid-way between the neck and shoulder?
• Does the booster seat position the lap belt low and flat across the hips/top of the thighs?
• Does either the booster seat or vehicle head restraint provide some support behind the child’s head?
• Is your child comfortable and not tempted to move the belts or themselves out of position after a period of time?

All states have laws for the use of child restraints, but some are stricter than others. Currently, most states have laws that cover children up until age seven but many others don’t require child restraint use above the age of five. A recent study from the American Academy of Pediatrics found that booster seat laws are effective at reducing injuries and deaths in a crash and should be mandated in all states. Variations and confusion in booster seat state laws, seat cost and inconvenience, and child discomfort are reasons why children five- through seven-years old are not always restrained in booster seats—but they should be. Consumer Reports recommends booster seats be used until the child can comfortably and safely fit the vehicle belts alone. If you’re unsure if your child fits the vehicle belts without a booster, ask the same questions as above but without the use of the booster.

To provide the best protection, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends using a booster seat for children until they are at least eight years old or 4’9” tall. Also, all children under age 13 should ride in the rear seat.

If you are unsure if your booster seat or any other child seat you are using in your vehicle is properly installed, have your car seat inspected by certified technicians. To find an inspection station near you go to: http:// www.seatcheck.org or http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm. The National Seat Check day is Saturday, September 25th, and inspection events will be set up around the country. This is a good opportunity to have your seat checked and make sure it is properly installed.

For more information on how to choose the right infant, convertible, or booster seats, see our latest buying advice. For more on driving with kids, see our Kids and car safety section.

—Liza Barth