Travel tip: Hotel cribs and play yards

When you're traveling with an infant, a hotel crib or play yard can be a safe haven for your baby. But if you don't know how old the crib or play yard is, it could be outdated and not up to today's safety standards.

To play it safe, you may want to take your play yard from home when you're traveling. When your baby sleeps in a play yard at night, place the play yard next to your bed, within arm's reach. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your baby sleep in the same room with you (but not the same bed) until he is at least 6 months old, whether you're at home or on the road.

Because the bassinet feature in play yards can only be used for sleeping for babies up to 15 pounds, you'll need to go to plan B after that. One option: Put your baby to sleep on the floor of your play yard. It's close to the ground and uses the same mattress/floor pad as the bassinet.

If you can't or don't want to travel with a play yard, use the hotel's crib or play yard, but be sure to do your own assessment. For hotel cribs, check to make sure that the mattress is firm and tight-fitting. You shouldn't be able to fit two fingers between the edge of the mattress and the crib side. You shouldn't be able to fit a soda can between the slats. There also shouldn't be any missing parts, which can make the crib unstable or create dangerous gaps. There should be no protruding parts, screws, or bolts, or corner posts more than 1/16 inch or less than 16 inches high (anything in between can catch clothing, posing a strangulation hazard) or cutouts in the head or footboard, which can trap an infant's head or limbs. (Do the same tests at home and at Grandma's house.) Ask for another crib if the one you're offered doesn't pass muster. (See more safe sleep tips.)

Consumer Reports finds Bisphenol A in canned baby formula, juice, and more

The chemical Bisphenol A, which has been used for years in clear plastic bottles and food-can liners, has been restricted in Canada and some U.S. states and municipalities because of potential health effects. The Food and Drug Administration will soon decide what it considers a safe level of exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), which some studies have linked to reproductive abnormalities and a heightened risk of breast and prostate cancers, diabetes, and heart disease. (See our video on BPA in plastic baby bottles.)

Now Consumer Reports’ latest tests of canned foods–including soups, juice, tuna, and green beans–found that almost all of the 19 name-brand foods we tested contain some amounts of BPA. The canned organic foods we tested did not always have lower BPA levels than non-organic brands of similar foods analyzed. We even found the chemical in some products in cans that were labeled “BPA-free.”

The debate revolves around just what is a safe level of the chemical to ingest and whether it should be in contact with food. Federal guidelines currently put the daily upper limit of safe exposure at 50 micrograms of BPA per kilogram of body weight. But that level is based on experiments done in the 1980s rather than hundreds of more recent animal and laboratory studies indicating serious health risks could result from much lower doses of BPA.

Baby & child news roundup: Toys, outlet covers, family cars, more

Outlet cover choking hazard. A concerned grandfather wrote to us recently to say that the family of his "toddler granddaughter" had been given some animal-shaped outlet covers that he suspected were more of a hazard than an effective childproofing device. The multi-colored plastic plugs "certainly would seem to be attractive to a toddler," he wrote. Read the full Safety blog post.

Fewer toy recalls, more child injuries. The Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission recently hailed the significant reduction in toy recalls this year. But the CPSC's annual report showed that there were 172,700 toy-related injuries that sent children under 15 to the nation's emergency rooms in 2008, the highest injury level since 2001. Read the full Safety blog post.

What’s the better family car? "I'm trying to decide between buying a Camry or an Accord, which would you recommend for a family or four with two young children in car seats?" Find out our answer in the Cars blog family sedan chat transcript.

School lunch makeover. Having lived through school lunches of chicken fried steak with cream gravy and mashed potatoes, I realize that many school cafeterias have made some strides. But placing a largely ignored bowl of apples at the end of the line does little. Read the full Health blog post.

Despite risks, teens report texting while driving. A new study shows that a quarter of American teens have texted while driving—dangerous behavior for a group that statistically, already carries significant risks when behind the wheel. Read the full Cars blog post.

Stroller hinges: A closer look at the standards

Stroller hinge mechanisms—the joints on the sides that allow the stationary parts of the stroller to pivot and permit the stroller to fold—have been in the news since the November 9, 2009 recall of 1 million Maclaren umbrella strollers. The recall was prompted by 12 reports of children’s fingertips being amputated when their fingers became caught in the strollers’ hinge mechanisms. But like other strollers bearing the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification logo, the Maclaren models all meet current voluntary stroller standards. (Read what does the JPMA certification logo really mean?)

So what happened? The standards for stroller hinges apply to the product when it is in a locked, open position—not when it’s actually being opened or closed. According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall notice, the Maclaren strollers’ hinge mechanism poses a hazard when the stroller is being unfolded or opened.

In general, strollers present risks to young children. In 2008 alone, strollers were responsible for an estimated 12,400 injuries to children under age 5—more than any other baby product—according to the CPSC. The leading cause of all baby product injuries were falls, and the head was most frequently injured. But with the recent Maclaren recall, fingertip safety is now being brought to light.

To rate strollers at Consumer Reports, many of our tests are based on the voluntary standards created by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)-International. Among other safety checks, our engineers check hinges and other parts of the strollers—once they’re in an open, locked position—for the following criteria:

Recall: One million Maclaren strollers

After getting reports of 12 fingertip amputations, Maclaren USA is recalling one million strollers, which includes every umbrella stroller of that brand sold in the U.S. for the past 10 years. The amputations occurred when the children got their fingers caught in the stroller’s hinge mechanism. According to Maclaren, at the time of the incidents the children were outside the stroller and a parent or caregiver was either opening it or folding it up. 
 
The strollers were sold at Babies 'R' Us, Target, and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers from 1999 through November 2009 for between $100 and $360. The recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers including Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller. See the full Safety blog post for more information.

Also see 7 common stroller mistakes for safety measures you should take when using a stroller.

Why Consumer Reports Still Says Don’t Buy the Orbit Infant Car Seat

Last week we reported that Consumer Reports stands behind our earlier judgment that the Orbit Infant Car Seat poses a safety risk and warrants a Don’t Buy Rating, even though government tests now show the seat meets federal safety standards. The manufacturer and a few others have questioned our position, arguing that we should change our rating on the seat. Here’s a short answer that explains why we won’t – and a series of longer answers that should provide plenty of detail for those who are interested.

The short answer is simple: Consumer Reports has tested child car seats since 1972, and we take any failures seriously. In the past year alone, we’ve tested 31 different child and infant car seats. Of those, the Orbit Infant Car Seat was the only one that failed our tests. Two out of six Orbit seats detached from their bases in our simulated 30 mph frontal crash tests. We have examined our methodology in detail and believe our tests were properly conducted. We’re concerned about the seat’s safety, and do not feel comfortable recommending it to parents because – when it comes to child safety – we believe no failure is acceptable.

It’s not the first time that Consumer Reports’ view on safety has differed from that of a manufacturer or the government. These differences aren’t surprising given our respective roles in the marketplace. Consumer Reports does not certify that products meet federal safety requirements—that’s the manufacturer’s responsibility. Nor do we conduct compliance testing to confirm that products are legally fit for sale—that’s for the government to do. Consumer Reports independently compares how well products perform from a consumer perspective. And when we find a product that we believe poses a hazard, we advise you not to buy it.

For those who want to know more about how our tests were conducted, why we disagree with the manufacturer’s objections about our methodology, and why we are sticking with our Don’t Buy Rating, see the detailed questions and answers below.

Where did CR get the Orbit Infant Car Seats for its tests?
How were the seats tested?
How did the seats perform?
What does a CR “Don’t Buy” Rating mean?
What has the manufacturer said?
How did CR handle the seat installation?
What has NHTSA said about CR's installation?
What have other experts said about CR’s tests?
Why has CR decided not to run additional tests?
What are our testers' qualifications?
What’s CR’s experience testing car seats?
How did these tests differ from our 2007 car seat tests?
How did the seat perform in NHTSA’s tests?
What does it mean to “pass” the government test?
Are there safe alternatives to this seat?
What should I do if I own the seat?
Are other Orbit Baby products safe?

Where did CR get the Orbit Infant Car Seats for its tests?
All of the Orbit Infant Car Seats used in our tests were bought anonymously by Consumer Reports at retail. Consistent with our policy, we do not rate samples provided by manufacturers. We pay for them the same way you do.

Return to Top

How were the seats tested?
Orbit Infant Car Seats were tested at an outside lab that specializes in car seat testing. The same lab is used by the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) for car seat testing, and was used in the government’s recent tests of the Orbit Infant Car Seats. It was also used by Orbit Baby for the manufacturer’s seat tests.

Simulated crash tests of the rear-facing infant seats were closely supervised by our program manager of vehicle and child safety Jennifer Stockburger and automotive safety engineer Michelle Tsai, both of whom are engineers and certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians. Tests were overseen by the manager at the outside lab, who is also CPS certified, and conducted by other trained lab technicians.

These are the same tests that Consumer Reports routinely performs when evaluating car seats. We have a 37-year history of testing car seats and in the last year tested 31 seat models, including the Orbit seat (15 infant and 16 convertible car seats). (See What's CR's experience testing car seats?) We conducted the tests using the manufacturer’s instructions on seat installation. And we were guided by specific standards for speed and impact crash simulations in the federal standard for child restraints (the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard—FMVSS 213). Our crash tests simulated a head-on 30-mph crash and used a 22-pound CRABI dummy, which represents a 12-month-old child.

Three Orbit seats were tested using the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system to install the base. We also installed two seats using a 3-point (lap-and-shoulder) seat belt. And finally one seat was tested with just a lap belt.

Return to Top

How did the seats perform?
We saw failures with the Orbit Infant Car Seats in two out of six tests: Once when the car seat base was attached using the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system, and again in one of the instances when the base was installed with the 3-point (lap-and-shoulder) seat belt. We tested two seats as part of our normal test procedure. When one seat detached from its base, we purchased another four seats to see if the failure was reproducible – and we did see a second failure in one of the four seats.

The point of failure with the Orbit seat occurred when the carrier detached from its seat base in two test runs.

Diagram of the Orbit Infant Car Seat shows point of failure between the seat and the base

In all six of our simulated crashes, the Orbit seat base remained attached to the sled bench. (The sled bench is used in simulated crash tests as a requirement to meet government standards, and substitutes for a vehicle seat.)

Time-lapse photos of the Orbit Infant Car Seat shot during one of CR's two failed tests show the seat separating from its base

The four other Orbit seats did not detach from their bases. And neither did two samples from each of the other models tested in this batch of infant travel systems, the Graco Stylus and the Eddie Bauer Adventurer.

Based on those two failures, Consumer Reports rated the Orbit Infant System Don’t Buy: Safety Risk.

Return to Top

What does a CR “Don’t Buy” Rating mean?
Consumer Reports’ tests are designed to help parents to make decisions about which car seats to buy. We test seats for crash protection, guided by minimum standards for speed and crash dynamics used in government tests. We also compare car seats in terms of how well they perform in areas such as “ease of use” and “fit to vehicle.” We give car seats an overall Rating that tells you which seats may be a good value for your family. Don’t Buy: Safety Risk is our strongest negative recommendation, and indicates our opinion that there is a serious safety risk. In this case, it means we don’t recommend the Orbit Infant Car Seat.

Our view is that when it comes to safety, no test failure is acceptable—and that’s especially so where child safety is concerned. Of the 15 infant seat models we have tested this year using in each case the same minimum standard, simulated frontal impact tests, and conducted in the same specialized lab, the Orbit Infant Car Seat was the only one of the samples we bought and tested that detached from its base.

Another reason the failures raise such serious concerns for us is that the tests run by Consumer Reports followed minimum standards for safety. We conducted simulated frontal crash tests at 30 mph, the speed required by government standards. But other safety tests go beyond those parameters. For example, when the government evaluates the crashworthiness of vehicles and assesses the effects of frontal impacts on adult passengers as part of the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), it conducts crash tests at 35 mph. Though child seats are not normally included in NCAP car evaluations, when they have been, some child restraint recalls have been initiated based on seat failures in these tests even when those same seats met conditions of the minimum FMVSS 213 standard. Consumer Reports believes that seats with a sufficient safety margin should consistently pass tests run at the minimum standard for speed, and also perform well in tests conducted at slightly higher speeds seen in some real-world crashes.

Note that Consumer Reports’ Don’t Buy Rating doesn’t necessarily mean that a seat has failed to comply with government safety standards. The manufacturer is responsible for testing to ensure its seats meet the government standards. And only the government can set those standards and confirm that a particular seat passes or fails. (See How did the seat perform in NHTSA’s tests? and What does it mean to “pass” the government test?)

Return to Top

What has the manufacturer said?
We notified Orbit Baby, the manufacturer based in Newark, Calif., of our findings before we published the results and invited the company to review our test procedures and findings at our Yonkers headquarters. Following that review, Orbit Baby’s chief executive officer, Joseph Hei, said in an e-mailed statement: “Orbit Baby has never received any report of a child being injured while in an Orbit baby seat. We do not believe the test results obtained by Consumers Union are indicative of the safety of our Infant Car seats. Our car seats are used by children, including our own, and safety is our top priority. We strongly believe in the quality of our product.”

The company said that it had run extensive and regular compliance testing in the past in the same independent lab used by Consumer Reports, and that every seat had passed. It also said that upon being notified of our test results, it had conducted more tests at the same lab to see if they could replicate our findings, and found no failures.

Return to Top

How did CR handle the seat installation?
Orbit Baby has raised concerns about the way seats were installed in our tests, and suggested this may have led to our observed seat failures. We respectfully disagree with the manufacturer’s suggestion that our tests were not properly conducted.

Click to view the base label

The manufacturer raised two specific concerns about our testing: The first has to do with the fact that we did not use the patented StrongArm mechanism when installing the base. The Orbit instructions say to turn the StrongArm knob to amplify your strength when tightening the seat belts that secure the base, and note that the belt has reached “the optimal tightness setting” when the seat base does not move more than one inch in any direction. The installation directions on the seat base direct as follows: “If the base moves more than 1 inch, turn the StrongArm clockwise or reinstall the Base according to the instruction manual.” (See left.) In each of our tests, lab personnel checked to see that the base met the 1-inch movement criteria and was at “optimal” tightness without needing to use the StrongArm.FMVSS 213 also dictates a required tension range for the belts used to attach the seat base to the bench (12 to 15 lbs). Lab personnel installed the Orbit bases to meet that requirement as well, again without needing to use the StrongArm.

Some Orbit Infant System owners have commented on our blogs and said that they don’t understand how we installed the base securely without using the StrongArm feature.

1) Sled bench used for our Orbit Baby tests. 2) A back-view of the sled bench seats shows the belts used to secure the base

While it may be helpful or necessary to use the StrongArm to ensure that the base can move no more than one inch in any direction when the seat is installed in a car, our lab tests are conducted using the federally mandated sled bench. The bench enables easier access to the belts (including from behind the seat) and is softer and flatter than many vehicle seats. These design features often make it easier to install child seats on the sled bench than in a real car. We confirmed that our installation met the optimal installation outlined in the Orbit manual and the tension requirements of the federal standard.

A photo from one of our test installation shows the top harness slot position used by CR. Testers judged it appropriate to use the top harness slot with a clothed 12-month CRABI dummy

The manufacturer also said our testers had used the wrong position for the harness strap that holds the infant in the carrier. Specifically, Orbit claims that we should have used the middle harness slot position. The harness was positioned in the top slots for all of our six tests. The Orbit instruction manual and instructions for all rear facing seats state that the straps should be positioned “even with or just below” the child’s shoulders. The dummy required by the FMVSS 213 for rear facing child seats is a clothed 12-Month CRABI dummy. Test lab personnel and our CPS technicians judged that it was appropriate to use the highest of the three strap positions to meet the Orbit guidelines for this CRABI dummy.

Based on the details outlined above, again we respectfully disagree with the manufacturer’s claims that we didn’t follow the instructions. We believe that installing the seat as described above should not cause the seat to fail a minimum standard test—and if it does, we think there’s a problem with the seat.

Car-seat installation in the real world is not an exact science. Installation can vary from family to family, and car to car. And the top three installation issues for parents include choosing the correct harness position and tension and getting sufficient vehicle-belt tension. (See NHTSA's research on this issue.) Parents have a right to expect that seats will be engineered with enough margin of safety to accommodate some variations in installation. If a seat’s ability to stay attached to its base depends upon parents using a middle slot instead of the higher slot for a child the size and weight of the 12 month CRABI dummy—when trained CPS technicians and lab personnel all used their best judgment to select the higher slot—we believe that seat doesn’t meet the standards it should to protect a child.

Return to Top

What has NHTSA said about CR's installation?
Consumer Reports and Orbit Baby also shared their test results with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal agency that regulates car seat safety. The agency recently ran its own tests on the seat (See How did the Orbit Infant Car Seat perform in NHTSA’s tests?). In a later update on their Web site, Orbit Baby reported that a letter to Consumers Union from NHTSA “…Confirmed that the magazine’s original tests of the Infant Car Seat deviated from their official government’s test procedures and were NOT configured correctly according to FMVSS 213”. Orbit suggested this “improper test set up” contributed to what it called our "inconsistent results." We believe this characterization of NHTSA’s comments about our tests is misleading and could be confusing for consumers.

In NHTSA’s report on the research tests (not their letter to Consumers Union) the agency describes two ways in which our tests deviated from FMVSS 213. First it notes that for some of our tests we installed the Orbit Infant Car Seats using a 3 point (lap-and-shoulder) seat belt. Consumer Reports routinely performs crash tests using the 3-point belt configuration (in addition to the LATCH system and two-point lap belt required by FMVSS 213) because this belt system is featured on many newer cars. Second, NHTSA notes we did not use the StrongArm as instructed in the Orbit manual. As we’ve explained, our testers were able to achieve the required belt tension specified by the owner’s manual and the FMVSS standards without needing to use the StrongArm. While it notes differences in protocol, NHTSA does not say that these deviations from their standards invalidate Consumer Reports’ tests or our results.

In addition to regulating the protocol for performing FMVSS 213 tests, the government has recommended practices for contract laboratories such as the one used by Consumer Reports. For rear facing infant seats the agency recommends that the harness be placed through the slot at or below the level of the dummy’s shoulder.  In the case of the Orbit seat and 12 month old CRABI dummy, NHTSA's report on its research tests states that it believes the middle slot is the appropriate one. After noting that Consumer Reports placed the harness through the top slot, however, the agency concludes ".......use of the top slot is permitted by FMVSS No. 213.”

Orbit has sharply criticized Consumer Reports’ use of the top harness slot. An article on the company's Web site states: “Correct harness positioning has an especially large influence on crash testing results…. Improperly securing the test dummy allows it to accelerate upwards in a significant way, resulting in unpredictable test conditions.” Again, while Consumer Reports' harness installation differed from NHTSA's, the agency clearly states that our installation is permitted and it does not question the validity of our tests.

Consumer Reports tests are designed to determine comparative performance in a variety of areas, including safety. We are guided by FMVSS 213 and follow specific standards for speed and impact in assessing performance around crash protection. But our tests are designed to allow us to assess comparative performance, and we don’t claim to replicate the government’s tests exactly or to follow all FMVSS 213 test protocols. As an example, the government tests in some areas that we simply don’t cover (such as an Aircraft Passenger Seat Inversion Test). For more information, see How did the seat perform in NHTSA's tests? 

Return to Top

What have other experts said about CR’s tests?
Consumer Reports regularly confers with outside experts when developing tests. Before publication of our results in this case, our test findings were reviewed by an outside child-safety expert who has broad experience in child restraint crash testing.

Consumer Reports also commissioned an independent consultant to review our tests. Brian O’Neill, former president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which runs its own large crash-test program, was given access to all Consumer Reports documents concerning the project. His report concludes, “After reviewing the Consumers Union reports of its tests of the Orbit Infant System, the response of the manufacturer, and the comments posted on the blogs I believe the CU warnings about this infant carrier are justified.”

Read O’Neill’s report and conclusions.

Return to Top

Why has CR decided not to run additional tests?
Consumer Reports has already done three rounds of testing on the Orbit Infant Car Seat. We initially tested two seats, and observed one failure. We conducted a second round of tests to see if the failure was reproducible and tested four additional seats, experienced a second failure (a total of two seat failures out of six tested seats). Finally, we purchased two more seats and tested their performance without the base to give owners of the Orbit seat a safer alternative installation.

After a detailed review, we believe our tests were performed correctly. And we have decided not to run additional tests at this time.

Return to Top

What are our testers' qualifications?
Consumer Reports child passenger safety staff members who closely supervised these tests are engineers and certified Child Passenger Safety technicians (CPS) trained in child restraint installation. As part of this certification, our experts have worked in the field helping parents to install their car seats, so they understand the nuances of seat installation in lab and real-world conditions. Tests were overseen by a CPS certified test manager and conducted by technicians at a lab that is certified to run car seat tests for the government, and also conducted seat tests for Orbit Baby. Many of our testers are also parents who regularly move their own child seats from one test car to another.

We take proper car seat installation very seriously. CU has been a vocal advocate for following proper seat installation for many years. In all reports that touch on child safety related to cars, we encourage parents to read and carefully follow instruction manuals. We’ve also suggested that parents make sure that their car seats are properly installed at child seat checkpoints. Find the one nearest to you.

Our work in this area has taught us how challenging car seat instructions can be for parents to follow and we draw on our experiences to push for improvements. We’ve actively promoted labeling clarity and ease of use for car seat manuals and instructions. We recently submitted comments on this topic to NHTSA (August 2007), to assist them in developing guidelines for universal symbols used in car seat and vehicle instructions. Our comments specifically addressed improved labeling and education regarding top-tether usage, LATCH improvements, and improved prominence for labels that identify LATCH hardware in the cars.

Return to Top

What's CR's experience testing car seats?
Consumer Reports has a long history of testing infant car seats, beginning with crash-tests run for the magazine's August 1972 issue: We rated 12 out of 15 of them Not Acceptable.

CR's 1972 report on infant car seats

Between 1972 and 1977, Consumer Reports tested child seats four times, making it the only publication then regularly crash-testing safety seats and reporting the results to consumers and the government. The day after we released our 1974 report, the government proposed a stronger child-restraint amendment and as of January 1, 1981, all manufacturers of child safety seats had to certify that their seats would pass a rigorous crash test.

Today we continue to test child safety seats in order to help consumers to make educated decisions about which car seats to choose for their children. Simulated crash tests not only provide a “check” that seats are meeting the minimum requirements of the standard as child seats are self-certified by their manufacturers but their performance in those tests help us to rank those that reduce a child’s potential for injury better than others. Our testing also includes significant information relative to the seat’s Ease-of-Use and Fit-to-Vehicle assessments. Our CPS technicians and safety experts regularly provide comments to the government on proposals for new standards.

Return to Top

How did these tests differ from our 2007 "side impact" car seat tests?
In this 2007 case, a series of misjudgments and a key misunderstanding between Consumer Reports and an outside lab led to the publication of erroneous crash test data for a batch of infant car seats. Our report was withdrawn just 14 days after it was first published, when evidence first surfaced that it was flawed. (See How Our Car Seat Tests Went Wrong.)

These recent tests differed significantly from the flawed tests we reported on in 2007. Those tests evaluated seats in conditions exceeding the minimum standards recommended by FMVSS 213, both in speed and in crash orientation. In 2007, in addition to frontal crash tests, we ran side impact crash tests which is where the test flaws occurred. Our 2009 tests of Orbit Infant Car Seats were in conditions based on the current minimum federal standards for sale of seats, which specify no more than a 30-mph speed and are confined to frontal impact.

After the 2007 tests we took a number of steps to prevent car seat testing errors from happening again, all of which benefited the 2009 tests which included the Orbit Infant Car Seat. These 2009 tests involved much closer interaction with the test lab in coordinating test procedures and conditions, and a review of all data by an independent industry expert. All tests were overseen by trained CPS technicians. And when we discovered failures, as already noted, we ensured that we had the ability to repeat failure modes using additional samples. Finally, before we published our Don’t Buy Rating, we also shared all of our data with the manufacturer and asked for its comments and response.

Return to Top

How did the seat perform in NHTSA’s tests
Consumer Reports and Orbit Baby had each shared the results of our respective crash tests with NHTSA and asked the agency to review the matter. As we reported last week, in a letter to Consumers Union NHTSA said that the agency had run two subsequent rounds of tests. The first round of compliance tests took place at the same outside lab used by Consumer Reports and Orbit. Tests followed the standards for 30-mph simulated crashes required by FMVSS 213. None of the four seats tested for compliance detached from their bases. The agency’s compliance-test report concludes that the Orbit Infant Car Seat “met or exceeded” the standard safety requirement.

As part of its continuing research, the agency later ran a second round of tests in the same outside lab replicating Consumer Reports’ test configurations and installation methods. Again, none of the four seats used for that research test detached from their bases. The agency said that it had also reviewed its database for safety related incidents associated with the seat, and had not found any consumer complaints concerning safety issues. (See the agency’s report on its research tests.) It determined that “no further action is currently warranted” and said that it will continue to monitor the Orbit Infant Car Seat and include it in its annual compliance test program.

Return to Top

What does it mean to “pass” the government test?
To meet the government standards, car seats must perform at or below certain required thresholds. For example, car seats must perform so that the test dummy registers data below allowable maximums (for head and chest injury criteria and that the seat does not exceed allowable maximums for back angle (rear facing).

The program relies on self-certification—that is, manufacturers independently perform these tests and are responsible for making sure that they are in compliance with the regulations. NHTSA runs its own tests on a sub-set sample of seats from the market each year to confirm manufacturers’ reported results, but does not test all seats every year.

In this case, the “pass” finding means that the Orbit Infant Car Seat met or exceeded the government safety requirements.

Return to Top

Are there safe alternatives to this seat?
For those in search of an alternative stroller system, Consumer Reports recommends the Graco Stylus Travel System 7U02GA03 ($245). It passed all of our tests and was named a Best Buy.

We want to respond to people on our blogs who asked whether we were paid by Graco to promote their seats. We pride ourselves on being an independent and objective organization, and our recommendations are based solely on our testing. We don’t accept fees or free samples from any manufacturer and we don’t accept advertising.

Return to Top

What should I do if I own the seat?
For those who already own an Orbit Infant System, we recommend that you strap the infant carrier directly into the back seat of the vehicle, without the car seat base. We tested the seat in this configuration to see if it offered a safer alternative for seat owners—and based on our result, this arrangement is safe. Correctly installed this way, the infant carrier passed our tests when it was secured using either a two-point (lap) belt or a three-point (lap and shoulder) belt. Obviously this makes the product somewhat less convenient to use.

Used as a stroller, separate tests have also shown the Orbit Infant System to be perfectly safe.

Return to Top

Are other Orbit products safe?
We have tested other Orbit products and found them to be safe. Last year we evaluated the Orbit Toddler System, which is tested in the same base with a larger 3-year-old dummy and similar speed and attachment protocols (no StrongArm) and had no issues. The Orbit Infant System also performs well in its capacity as a stroller.

Return to Top

Baby & child news weekly roundup

Be safe while trick-or-treating. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of deaths among young pedestrians (ages 5 to 14) is four times higher on Halloween evening that any other evening of the year. Drivers should be extremely cautious on Halloween. For more safety tips, see the full Safety blog post.

Recall: "My Baby Soother" pacifiers. Earlier this week, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued an announcement urging parents and caregivers to stop using “My Baby Soother” pacifiers due to a choking hazard. The pacifiers, distributed by T & L Trading of Brooklyn, NY, fail to meet federal safety standards because the nipples can separate from the base easily, posing a choking hazard to infants and toddlers. T & L Trading has refused to recall these pacifiers, despite the fact they are in violation of the law. See the full Safety blog post.

Three more companies recall shades and blinds. Almost one million roman shades and roller blinds were recalled this week after three more children became entangled in the cords. Fortunately, the children were discovered before they were further harmed—unlike three other children who strangled on the cords of blinds and died. Learn more in the full Safety blog post.

Trim the tree? Deck the halls? Trim the budget is more like it. This holiday season, according to the new Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll, consumers are cutting back their holiday spending and using creative ways to fill the gift gap. Luckily for them, our survey reveals that grandchildren and grandparents stand the best chance of getting something this season. See the full Money blog post.

Out in left field. Whether you’re photographing a World Series game or your child’s soccer match, capturing sharp images while freezing the action in a sporting event poses two special challenges: You’re far from the action and your subjects may be moving quickly and unpredictably. Learn the only practical way to conquer the distance problem in the full Electronics blog post.

Soft infant carrier safety tips

Two infant deaths this year in Infantino slings raise concerns about the product. Participants at a recent ASTM-International meeting on sling carriers discussed the design of the Infantino “bag-style” sling and how it could contribute to suffocation and obstructed airways. That can happen for two reasons—either the baby’s face turns inward and becomes covered by the mother’s clothing or breasts, or the baby is placed in a position where the infant's head falls so far forward that the airway is closed off. Read the rest of the post on our Safety blog.

We think there are better ways to transport infants, including strollers, handheld infant carrier/car seats, and strap-on carriers.

Here are some strap-on front and hip carrier safety tips:

• Read the instruction manual and the warnings on the product before you first wear it to make sure you’re using it properly.
• Before using a carrier at any time, take time to put it on properly. Check that the straps are fitted and adjusted correctly, and the buckles, snaps, straps, and adjustments are safely fastened into position and secure.
• Sit down when placing your baby in the carrier and when taking him out.
• After your child is seated in a carrier, with her legs securely in the leg openings, adjust leg openings to the smallest size possible without cutting into her thighs or seat.
• Make sure your baby can breathe easily when in the carrier. His nose and mouth shouldn’t be obstructed in any way, and his chin should not be pressed against his chest, which carries a risk of asphyxiation.
• Don’t transport your child in a carrier on your back unless it’s made to be worn that way. Note that infants who can’t hold their heads up should never be carried on an adult’s back under any circumstances.
• Use the carrier according to the manufacturer’s weight recommendations. To avoid back and neck strain, stop using a front carrier when your baby reaches 20 pounds, or anytime you feel uncomfortable.
• Until your child can hold her head upright (around 6 months old), she should ride facing toward you with head support.
• Be careful when bending, leaning forward, or going through doorways when wearing a carrier. If you have to reach down, bend at your knees to make sure your baby stays upright. Don’t bend over at your waist.
• Use a carrier only for standing or walking. Don’t use it for sporting activities like running or bicycling or when cooking, cleaning, carrying a load, or driving.
• Don’t use a carrier to hold your baby in a car instead of a car seat.
• Don’t leave a baby in the carrier while putting it on or taking it off.
• Don’t put your baby in a carrier that’s not attached to you or another caregiver.
• Stop using a carrier if any parts or components are damaged, missing, or broken.
• Consider his and hers carriers of you and your partner want to use a strap-on or hip carrier frequently and you’re not roughly the same size. To wear a strap-on or hip carrier safely, adjust the straps exactly right. If you have a separate carrier for each parent, you won’t have to continually adjust the carrier to trade back and forth or be tempted to make a too-quick adjustment.
• If you want to use your strap-on carrier outside in cooler months, consider getting a carrier cover (we have not tested these). It slips over most brands of strap-on soft infant carriers so you don’t have to stuff your bundled-up baby into a carrier or zip your coat around him.

Recall: Plum Organics baby food

Plum Organics has recalled a type of baby food sold at Babies 'R' us and Toys 'R' Us because of concerns over possible contamination by the bacteria that causes botulism. No illnesses have been reported. (Learn more about food poisoning.)

Recalled are the 4.22 oz. "Apple & Carrot Portable Pouch" baby food with the best by date May 21, 2010 and marked with the following universal product code (UPC) 890180001221 (located on the bottom of the package). The pouches were sold individually at Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us stores nationally.

Learn more on our Safety blog.

Bassinet and cradle safety guidelines

The best beds for babies are full-sized cribs, so consider bassinets, cradles, and bedside sleepers with caution. Bassinet and cradle manufacturers can voluntarily comply with the ASTM standard for these products (indicated by a JPMA seal on the package)—and certification can provide a layer of protection—but at present aren’t required to.

If you decide to buy or use a bassinet or cradle, you can’t be too careful. Here are more safety considerations to keep in mind when you’re looking at these baby beds:

Buy certified and buy new. Although it’s not a complete guarantee of safety, buying a certified product adds a layer of protection. Certified products must meet the ASTM standard requirements such as correct spacing of side slats or bars. In 2008, for example, 900,000 Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible close sleeper/bedside sleeper bassinets (200,000 of which also carried the Graco logo or a Disney Winnie-the-Pooh motif) were recalled because the bassinet has metal bars that can be exposed when the Velcro flap that covers them is not properly secured—and the bar spacing exceeded the maximum 2 3/8 inches allowed under the federal crib standard, forming a strangulation hazard. Beware: Some of those bassinets could still be in circulation online and at tag sales and secondhand shops. (See two more babies die in Simplicity bassinets.) Always buy new—the maker is required to put the date of manufacture on the product. Send in the registration so you can be notified of a recall. (See our Guide to a safe, healthy pregnancy and infancy.)

Say no to an heirloom cradle or bassinet. It’s a quaint idea to use one that’s been in the family for generations, but chances are it isn’t up to today’s safety standards. Some possible hazards are an overly thick mattress or puffy sides, both suffocation risks, and legs with an old-style latching mechanism that can unexpectedly release.

Don’t leave your baby unattended in a rocking cradle. Use the hardware to stop the rocking motion before your baby’s bed- and naptime if you’re going to leave the room, and around pets and toddlers.

Don’t use a bassinet or cradle with wheels unlocked around stairs or other children. Lock the wheels as soon as you finish moving the bassinet from one room to another–and keep them locked.

Don’t carry or move a bassinet or cradle with your child in it.

Use only the mattress/pad provided by the manufacturer and only the fitted sheet made for the bassinet, or one specifically designed to fit the dimensions of the mattress/pad. Buy at least three fitted sheets so you have one to use, one for the wash, and one as a backup. Don’t use a pillowcase or different sized sheet as a substitute.

Don’t add stuffed animals or any bedding, such as a pillow, comforter, or blanket, or extra padding like an additional mattress/pad, or a sleep positioner to your baby’s bassinet or cradle; they’re suffocation hazards. Put your baby to sleep in a wearable blanket (swaddle sack) instead of covering her with a blanket. (See more safe sleep tips.)

Don’t let strings, toys suspended from a mobile, or window blind or curtain cords hang into the bassinet. Don’t place a cradle or bassinet near window blind or drape cords (a strangulation hazard). Shorten window blind cords by cutting the looped cords in half and keep them out of your baby’s reach. Position the mobile so your baby can’t reach it. And don’t add any suspended toys on your own. Use only those provided with the mobile.

Place your baby on his back in a cradle or bassinet, just as you would in a full-sized crib. Ninety percent of SIDS cases occur during the first six months of a baby’s life, which is prime bassinet time.

For more information, see our cribs buying guide and crib Ratings and reviews (available to subscribers), and sign up for our free school safety alert program.

Have you used a bassinet or cradle? Why or why not? Tell us about your experiences in comments.

Baby & child health and safety news roundup

Swine flu vaccines approved. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved swine (H1N1) flu vaccines, and says they'll be distributed nationally within the next few weeks. We recommend it for all children 6 months to 18 years, pregnant women, and people who live with or care for infants under 6 months old. Anyone who has severe or life-threatening allergies to chicken eggs should not be vaccinated, according to the FDA. Learn more in the full Health blog post.

Infant car seats can restrict babies oxygen levels (CNN.com). Infant car safety seats can—and do—save newborns' lives in traffic accidents. However, these seats, which require infants to be placed in an upright position, can also cause breathing problems when babies sleep in them.

More states require booster seats. More children under the age of one are placed in child safety seats than ever. And booster seats, which are designed to protect older children, are now required in 47 states (not including Arizona, Florida and South Dakota) and the District of Columbia. While all 50 states require car seats for those under age one year, laws governing booster seats vary from state to state. With the child seated in the car against the seat back: Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat? Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm? Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs? Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip? If any of the answers are no, the child should be riding in a booster seat. Learn more in the full Safety blog post.

Recall: 2,000 pairs of Clarks children’s shoes (sold under the “crawlers” and “hazy daze” style names). Molded rubber pieces on the sole of the recalled shoes can detach, posing a choking hazard to infants and young children. Learn more in the full Safety blog post.

Recall roundup: Products dangerous to babies & children

Recall: 5.5 million shades after 3 child deaths. After the strangulation deaths of three children, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced the recall of 5.5 million window blinds and shades because the cords pose a strangulation hazard. The shades were sold at Target, Ikea, Pottery Barn Kids and other retailers. Seven other children were found in various stages of distress with cords wrapped around their necks but were freed by parents or caregivers. Read the full Safety blog post.

2 more children die in recalled Simplicity bassinets. After the deaths of two more infants, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is urging all parents to stop using flawed Simplicity and Graco 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible "close sleeper" bassinets made by Simplicity and also sold with the Graco logo and a Winnie the Pooh motif. Read the full Safety blog post.

Other recalls:
41,000 Baby Jogger City Mini strollers (fall hazard)
15,000 eebee's 'Have a Ball" Adventures cloth books (choking hazard)
2,700 d’lite ST and Solo ST child bike trailers (fall hazard)
500 Quicksliver Roxy Girl cotton hoodies (strangulation hazard)

Additional information on Orbit Infant System tests

Readers of our recommendation not to buy the Orbit Infant System may have had questions upon hearing the manufacturer raise a dispute about Consumer Reports’ test methodology, and whether that may have contributed to the seat failures in our tests.

Those tests found that the infant carrier detached from its car seat base in two of six simulated 30-mph frontal crash tests that Consumer Reports commissioned at an outside laboratory. (Update: Read our blog post Why we take intermittent test failures so seriously.) We conducted the tests using the guidelines for speed and impact crash simulations dictated by the federal standard for child restraints. The tests at issue are those we routinely perform when evaluating car seats.

We’re posting this blog to describe how our tests were conducted and to reiterate our “Don’t Buy: Safety Risk” Rating for the Orbit Infant System.

The manufacturer has essentially raised two concerns about our testing, the first of which has to do with the positioning of the harness strap that holds the infant in the carrier. 

In these tests we followed the guidance of the manufacturer’s instruction manual and used the dummy specified in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213. The manual states that the straps should be positioned even with or just below the child’s shoulders. We confirmed, and an outside expert verified, that when we used the top slot position for the harness the straps were indeed at or below shoulder level.

The manufacturer also raised a concern that the testing facility did not use the “StrongArm” mechanism on the seat to tighten the belts used to install the base. The StrongArm mechanism, when rotated, amplifies a person’s strength to help tighten the belts that hold the seat base in place when installed in a vehicle.

The manufacturer’s instruction manual says that the belt has reached “optimal” tightness when the seat base does not move more than one inch in any direction, and FMVSS 213 dictates a required range for belt tension. Lab personnel installed the Orbit bases in our tests to meet the one inch condition and within the belt-tension range of the standard without needing to use the StrongArm mechanism.

Lab personnel and our own engineering staff are certified passenger safety technicians trained in child restraint installation. We were troubled by the failures in the test and we feel it is important to make our findings public.

We continue to stand by our test results and recommend that parents who are looking for a convenient travel system choose an alternative instead, such as the $245 Graco Stylus Travel System 7U02GA03. It passed our tests and is a CR Best Buy.

Don’t Buy: Safety Risk – Orbit Infant System

Consumer Reports has identified a possible safety risk in a high-end infant “travel system” that combines features of an infant carrier, a stroller, and a car seat.

The product, the Orbit Infant System, was rated “Don’t Buy: Safety Risk” after the infant carrier detached from its car seat base in two of six simulated 30-mph frontal crash tests that Consumer Reports commissioned at an outside laboratory. We conducted the tests using the guidelines for speed and impact crash simulations dictated by the federal standard for child restraints.

Although the Orbit system, which retails for $900, is not among the overall leaders in terms of sales, it has carved out a niche in the market thanks in part to its popularity with A-list celebrities, some of whom offer testimonials on its Web site.

The system consists of an infant carrier that can be snapped into either a car seat base, for use in a vehicle, or a stroller base, for use when on foot. Thus, it offers convenience for parents who want to be able to lift their child out of a stroller into a car, or vice versa, with a minimum of hassle.

The Orbit was the only travel system in our tests to show any failures. The other two travel systems we tested, the Graco Stylus and Eddie Bauer Adventurer, stayed attached to their bases during the crash simulations.

Of the two failures in Consumer Reports’ tests, one occurred when the car seat base was attached using the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system that is featured on newer cars. The other failure occurred when the base was installed with the three-point (lap and shoulder) seat belt that is standard on modern cars. Six Orbit seats bought from retail merchants were tested. The other four passed our tests, and all findings were reviewed by an outside child-safety expert who has experience in child-restraint crash testing.

Consumer Reports shared its test results with Orbit Baby, and the company ran their own tests at the same laboratory and found no failures.

In a statement to Consumer Reports, Joseph Hei, chief executive officer of the Newark, Calif.-based company, said that Orbit Baby has never received any report of a child being injured while in an Orbit baby seat. “We do not believe the test results obtained by Consumers Union are indicative of the safety of our Infant Car seats,” Hei wrote in an e-mailed statement. “Our car seats are used by children, including our own, and safety is our top priority. We strongly believe in the quality of our product.” 

[UPDATES – 8/27/09 and 9/01/09: In later comments, the manufacturer questioned whether we had installed the seats exactly as the owner’s manual instructs and suggested that this may have contributed to our test failures. We explained why we disagree with the manufacturer and why we take intermittent test failures so seriously.

In a letter to parents who own the seat, Orbit Baby said it had run additional tests on the infant car seats, some of which used the same installation protocols that Consumer Reports had used. It reported that all seats met the federal safety standards, and that there were no seat separations. Consumer Reports and Orbit Baby each shared the results of our respective crash tests with The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and asked the agency to review the matter.

[UPDATE – 10/21/09: In a letter to Consumer Reports received yesterday, NHTSA confirmed that in its crash tests of the Orbit Infant Car Seat, the seat withstands the government thresholds for frontal crashes and is compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213.

NHTSA’s letter said that the agency had run two rounds of tests. The first round of compliance tests took place at the same outside lab used by Consumer Reports and Orbit. Tests followed the standards for 30-mph simulated crashes required by FMVSS 213. None of the four seats tested for compliance detached from their bases. The agency’s compliance-test report concludes that the Orbit Infant Car Seat “met or exceeded” the standard safety requirement.

As part of its continuing research, the agency later ran a second round of tests replicating Consumer Reports’ test configurations and installation methods. Again, none of the four seats used for that research test detached from their bases. The agency said that it had also reviewed its database for safety related incidents associated with the seat, and had not found any consumer complaints concerning safety issues. It determined that “no further action is currently warranted” and said that it will continue to monitor the Orbit Infant Car Seat and include it in its annual compliance test program.

Despite the fact that NHTSA did not experience any detachments in its testing, Consumer Reports’ judgment remains that the Orbit Infant System may pose a safety risk. NHTSA is responsible for determining compliance and we applaud its efforts to do so swiftly in this case. Consumer Reports is responsible for ensuring that our tests are fair and accurate so that we can make useful recommendations to consumers. Our recommendations are based on individual results and on comparative performance. We believe that our tests were properly conducted in this case, and we stand by our findings.]

Consumer Reports advises that anyone who already owns an Orbit Infant System should strap the infant carrier directly, without the car seat base, into the back seat of a vehicle. Installed this way, the infant carrier passed our tests when it was secured using either a two-point (lap) belt or a three-point (lap and shoulder) belt. Obviously this makes the product somewhat less convenient to use. But used as a stroller, separate tests have showed the Orbit system to be perfectly safe.

When installing a car seat, if you’re having trouble getting it snugly in place, or if you want to check that you’ve done it correctly, you can go to a car seat installation checkpoint. To find the one nearest to you, go NHTSA’s Child Seat Safety Inspection Station Locator.
 
Meanwhile, for those in search of an alternative stroller, Consumer Reports recommends the Graco Stylus Travel System 7U02GA03 ($245). It passed all of our tests and was named a Best Buy. Subscribers can find our full stroller Ratings and reviews here.