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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Safety 1st Able 65 (RF)

 

 

Manufacturer  /  Model NameSafety 1st Able 65
Model Number  /  Manufacture DateCC082-BFH  /  Jul 12, 2013
Harness Type5-pt
Weight  /  Height5lb - 40lb / 19" - 40"
Evaluation of Labels 3 stars
There is no picture of a child in the child restraint next to sizing information on the labels. Labels do not illustrate how to remove and prepare LATCH attachments for use.
Evaluation of Instructions 5 stars
The manual storage may be difficult to find. Sizing information is not accompanied by a full picture of a properly restrained child in the owner's manual.
Securing the Child 3 stars
The restraint was not set for the smallest possible occupant. There are no illustrations on the child restraint showing how to convert this restraint to this mode of use. The LATCH belt must be rerouted to convert the restraint to this mode of use from another mode. The harness must be taken out and rethreaded when cleaning the restraint, and loose parts may be generated during the process.
Installation Features 1 stars
It may be uncomfortable for larger hands to route the seat belt or LATCH belt through the belt path. The user may have to move the padding to properly route the seat belt. Interference is possible between a seat component and the belt routing system. A printed/molded line is present on the restraint that must be leveled to the ground.  There are less than three levels of built-in recline available. The restraint is equipped with hook-style LATCH attachments which may require twisting to remove from the lower anchors in the vehicle. There is no dedicated area in which to store LATCH attachments.
Overall Ease of Use Rating 3 stars

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