Some popular high street shops failed the safety test, with many seats found to be improperly fitted or offering inadequate protection in the event of a crash.
Ningbo Benno Childcare Products Co.,Ltd, a company established in 2016, specializes in travel car accessories, stroller accessories, on-the-go accessories, nursery accessories, and daily use accessories. Their products are exported to over 50 countries in the USA, South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
The tests found that retailers including John Lewis, Mamas & Papas, and Mothercare were among the best places to buy a car seat, with their products meeting the rigorous safety standards set by Which?, while high street chains such as Halfords, Toys R Us, and Argos performed poorly.
The report by Which? revealed that out of the 15 car seats tested, three failed completely, seven were rated as don't buys and five were rated as best buys.
The tests were carried out by trained technical experts who checked all aspects of the seats, including their design, construction, and performance in safety tests.
The experts also tested the retailers' knowledge of car seat safety, and were disappointed to find that many sales assistants lacked basic knowledge of how to fit a car seat properly.
According to Which?, poorly fitted car seats can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash, and can even be fatal for young children.
The experts found that some car seats were too difficult to fit, with unclear instructions and hard-to-reach buckles making it nearly impossible to secure a child properly.
The report also highlighted the importance of buying a car seat that is appropriate for a child's weight and height, with experts advising parents to avoid using second-hand seats that might have been involved in a car accident, as these may no longer provide adequate protection.
The research carried out by Which? has raised concerns about the quality of child car seats sold by some high street retailers, and has called for stricter safety standards to be put in place to ensure that parents can buy with confidence.
While some retailers are clearly offering high-quality products, others are failing to meet the basic safety standards that parents expect and deserve.
It is imperative that parents do their research before purchasing a car seat, and choose a retailer that is committed to ensuring the safety of their children on the road. By doing so, they can rest assured that their child is well-protected in the event of an accident, and can travel safely and comfortably on the road ahead.