Each year the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety releases information on booster seat safety, the child safety booster seat ratings for 2011 were recently released. The child safety booster seat ratings for 2011 are based on tests of 72 models of child safety booster seats. Each booster seat is designed to ensure children are properly restrained in vehicles.

The traditional step between a standard car seat and using the manufacturer installed seat belt, the booster seat is intended for use for children between the ages of four and eight. The child safety booster seat ratings for 2011 are based on the assumption the intent of the booster seat is to simply raise the child up to the appropriate height so the standard-equipped seat belt can be used properly.
In previous years, the vast majority of child booster seats have not scored well against the standards of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s standards. The child safety booster seat ratings for 2011 saw improvement as 21 of the booster seats reviewed performed well enough to earn the “best bet” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The child safety booster seat ratings for 2011 indicate a high level of improvement and confidence in the products reviewed.

Of the child booster safety seats tested, seven additional child booster seats met expectations enough to be placed on the “good bet” list in the child safety booster seat ratings for 2011. Even though the child safety booster seat ratings for 2011 gave marks of approval to a total of 28 child booster seats, eight seats were found to qualify for the unflattering “not recommended” list by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The child safety booster seat ratings for 2011 were announced preceding the start of the National Child Passenger Safety Week, held in September of 2010. The week promotes safety for children in vehicles and is sponsored by the national Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Regardless of the child safety booster seat ratings for 2011 list, even the best child booster seat will not meet the quality and safety standards necessary if not properly installed. Statistically, the majority of injuries sustained by children in auto accidents are directly related to improper use or improper installation of the car seat or child booster seat.

To ensure your child’s car seat or safety booster seat is properly installed, have the seat inspected by a local agency. Many hospitals, fire departments, police agencies and other public organizations hold seat installation inspection events. Attending one of these clinics, which are normally free to the public, ensures you will get the best protection from your child safety booster seat, even though it is rated highly by the child safety booster seat ratings for 2011.