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

 

« Back to Ease-of-Use Ratings

 

Safety 1st Vantage (FF)

 

 

Manufacturer  /  Model NameSafety 1st Vantage
Model Number  /  Manufacture Date22564-ARQ  /  Nov 12, 2012
Harness Type5-pt
Weight  /  Height22lb - 40lb / 34" - 43"
Evaluation of Labels 1 stars
There is no complete illustration of a child in the restraint on the labeling.  No additional sizing information is given.  The tether is not labeled in the illustrations depicting acceptable modes of installation.  No indication of correct harness height is given on the labels. The belt path is only labeled on one side. Labels do not explain the use of LATCH. The caregiver must read the manual to properly use the tether.
Evaluation of Instructions 3 stars
The manual cannot be accessed while the restraint is installed in this mode. No full picture exists of a properly restrained child in the restraint in the owner's manual.  No additional sizing information is given in the owner's manual.  The tether is not labeled in the illustrations depicting acceptable modes of installation. The warning that the safest place for children is the rear seat is contained in a bulleted list and is not separated from other warnings. The warning that indicates that the rear seat is the safest place for children is not illustrated clearly in the owner's manual. The section describing vehicle seat belt types is incomplete and may be missing important information.
Securing the Child 2 stars
The restraint did not arrive prepared for the smallest occupant.  When adjusting the harness height, mandatory pieces to the CRS must be removed and could be misplaced.  The harness may need to be completely reinstalled into the restraint to convert to this mode of use from another mode. Hand tools must be used to reassemble after cleaning. When disassembled for cleaning, mandatory parts of the restraint may become detached and could be misplaced.
Installation Features 4 stars
The restraint is equipped with hook-style LATCH attachments which may require twisting to remove from the vehicle.  No dedicated storage area exists for the LATCH attachments and/or the tether.
Overall Ease of Use Rating 2 stars

« Back to Ease-of-Use Ratings