Stores that failed child car seat safety test revealed by consumer watchdog

2023-05-04 07:06:57 By : admin
seats, child safety, high street shops, consumer watchdog, best and worst places to buy car seats.

Car Mirror Baby Seats
Best and worst places to buy a car seat revealed - popular high street shops that failed the 'safety test' - Mirror Online


Ensuring a child's safety while traveling in a car should be the top priority of every parent. The car seat is one of the most important accessories a parent should buy when they have a baby. It is vital to choose the right car seat because this can make a significant difference in ensuring the child's safety when the car is involved in an accident.

Despite the importance of a baby car seat, not all car seats sold in high street shops are 100% safe to use. Consumer watchdog Which? sent mystery shoppers to over 200 high street stores to see how many would pass its child car seat safety test.

The results were surprising - some of the most popular high street shops failed the safety test. It is, therefore, important for parents to do their due diligence and research before buying a baby car seat.

The worst places to buy a car seat

According to the test results, three high street shops failed the safety test - Argos, Smyths Toys and John Lewis. These retailers were found to be selling products that could potentially endanger a child's life if involved in a car accident.

Smyths Toys was found to be selling a car seat that posed a serious safety risk in a forward-facing position. The seat's structure was not strong enough to withstand a car crash impact, and the harness did not fit the dummy securely. This means that in the event of an accident, the child would be at risk of being thrown out of the seat.

Argos was found to be selling a child car seat that was unstable and wobbly when fitted in the car. The seat belt lock lacked tension, and the headrest could not be adjusted correctly according to the child's height.

John Lewis was selling a car seat with a poor score for crash protection as the harness was difficult to secure correctly. Additionally, the instruction manual for the car seat provided inadequate guidance.

The best places to buy a car seat

The test results also revealed the best high street shops to buy a car seat. These retailers received high scores in terms of car seat safety and passed all Which? tests. The top three retailers include Mothercare, Babies R Us, and Mamas & Papas.

Mothercare was the highest rated high street store, scoring high in every category tested. The car seats sold were easy to secure due to their design and the clear instructions provided.

Babies R Us demonstrated excellent performance in crash tests and had well-trained staff to offer guidance to customers. The retailer offers a wide range of car seats suitable for different age ranges.

Mamas & Papas offer high-quality car seats and secure fitting, allowing for the child's maximum safety during a car journey. They provide proper training to their staff to ensure that all customers receive accurate information when buying car seats.

In conclusion

The safety of a child should always be the top priority when buying a car seat. Parents should opt for reputable stores that specialize in baby products, ensuring that all car seats bought undergo the necessary safety checks.

It is essential to read the instructions and fit the car seat correctly for maximum safety. Research and read reviews before buying a car seat to ensure that it is safe and meets safety standards.

In conclusion, parents should be vigilant when purchasing car seats to avoid any safety issues. By going for high-quality and reputable products from approved retailers, parents can ensure maximum safety for their children when traveling in cars.