Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Ratings

 

Are All Seats Safe?
All car seats rated by NHTSA meet Federal Safety Standards & strict crash performance standards. While all rated seats are safe, they do differ in their ease of use in four basic catagories:

 

Evaluation of Instructions

Vehicle Installation Features

Evaluation of Labels

Securing the Child

 

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Evenflo Symphony (FF)

 

 

Manufacturer  /  Model NameEvenflo Symphony (FF)
Model Number  /  Manufacture Date3121925  /  Nov 12, 2008
Harness Type5-pt
Weight  /  Height20lb - 40lb / up to 50"
Evaluation of Labels 1 stars
Belt path labeling is not directly next to its corresponding path. There is not a picture of a child properly restrained in the CRS on the labeling. Additional sizing information is not shown in an illustration and is given in text form only. Labels do not explain the use of LATCH. No illustration is given on the labels to show the caregiver how to prepare LATCH attachments for use. The labels do not remind the caregiver to tighten the LATCH belt. No instructions are given on the labels for the use of the tether.
Evaluation of Instructions 3 stars
In the manual, additional sizing information is given in text only. The instruction manual storage is difficult to find and/or use while the child restraint is installed. The warning that the safest place for children is the rear seat is located among other unrelated warnings in a bulleted list. The section describing vehicle seat belt types is incomplete and may be missing important information. The user must read text to route the LATCH belt properly.
Securing the Child 4 stars
The harness clip is not labeled with placement instructions. Multiple actions are required to convert the seat to this mode of use; the caregiver must read the instructions.
Installation Features 2 stars
The belt path may not comfortably accommodate a larger hand. Interference is possible between a seat component and the seat belt/LATCH belt. The child restraint is equipped with push-button LATCH connectors. The LATCH attachment and/or tether storage area is not clearly labeled.
Overall Ease of Use Rating 3 stars

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