It wasn't a typical Wednesday. A healthy baby was about to be discharged from AnMed Maternity Center when Jackie McCall got the call. McCall directs Safe Kids Anderson County, which is led by AnMed.
The new parents were prepared for that first ride home, with baby's car seat all set to go. But team members helping with discharge noticed some things about the seat that didn't seem right, and they wanted McCall to double-check.
"I noticed right off the bat," McCall said. "It was what we call a counterfeit because it was truly a fake Doona brand car seat."
The parents had no idea that their online purchase was a counterfeit product.
And the day wasn't done for McCall. While she was at the hospital, she was asked to look at two more seats for babies about to go home. Both were noncompliant with safety standards.
Car Seats Save Lives - If They Meet Safety Standards
Every state in the U.S. requires that children ride in car seats or booster seats that are appropriate for their age and size. Those seats must meet rigorous Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to ensure their precious cargo is as safe as possible.
Counterfeit seats, which are fake products passed off as name brands, may be less expensive but far more dangerous. Other seats not approved for use in the U.S. may be allowed in other countries but still not meet the guidelines for use in the U.S.
One of those noncompliant car seats accounted for McCall's second call of that day.
"The first thing I noticed is some missing parts," McCall said. "I thought, 'What in the world is going on?'"
That seat was brought to the U.S. when the family moved from another country. While the brand was legitimate, the seat did not comply with safety standards.
A third family had purchased a full travel system online, complete with a bassinet and pram, which included a noncompliant car seat. It was just fine as a stroller but not sufficient to keep baby safe in the event of a crash.
In those three cases, McCall caught the problem and was able to replace the seats with safe, tested alternatives. Now she's on a mission to replace every problematic car set that's possible.
Counterfeit and noncompliant car seats are becoming increasingly common, especially through online sellers. The discounted price for a high-end brand is often the first tip that something is amiss. As Doona reminds parents, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Things to Consider Before You Buckle Your Baby
- Chest clip: All car seats manufactured for use in the U.S. have a chest clip that helps distribute the impact of a crash away from baby's body. McCall said there are no compliant seats - except booster seats for older children - that do not have a chest clip.
- Manual and registration card: Car seats should come with a user's manual and a registration card. It is critically important that seats be registered with the manufacturer so any recall or other safety information gets to families as soon as possible. McCall said parents sometimes avoid registering their car seats because they are afraid it will result in sales emails and spam, but it's a step they shouldn't skip.
"When I'm on the unit meeting with patients and we're talking about child passenger safety, if they still have the registration card attached to their seat, I actually will take the registration card and tell them that I will mail it in on their behalf," McCall said.
- Buy new: Consumer Reports, the nonprofit organization that rates products on safety, reliability and other features, advises against buying a used car seat. There is no way to be sure that the seat has not been in a crash. McCall said seats often display no visible evidence of a crash, but the effects could still be there, from frayed or stretched straps to cracks in the plastic shell.
"After doing this job for 23 years, even with seats that we replace in the emergency department, it is rare that I can tell that car seat was in a crash," McCall said. "If you're purchasing a product used, you don't know that."
- Check the date: Car seats have manufacture and/or expiration dates, and at least one of those dates should be stamped on the seat, along with the model number. McCall said seats are generally designed to last six to 10 years; the owner's manual will specify the useful life for each model.
- Look for labels and required wording: All seats that are compliant with federal standards have the phrase "This Restraint is Certified for Use in Motor Vehicles" or "This Restraint is Certified For Use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft." This is typically in small red print on the side of the car seat.
- Consider the label: Non-approved seats may contain grammatical errors, such as "NEVER left child unattended," or odd terms like "baby holding basket."
Federal standards also require many details on labels - if the label looks "off," the car seat may not be compliant with federal standards.
- Check the harness: Approved car seats are made with a chest clip and webbing (straps) that are a standard width and a texture that is similar to a seat belt. If the chest clip is missing or the straps are too thin or wide, or a different texture, it may not be compliant. Make sure the seat has a five-point harness: two shoulder straps, two hip straps and a buckle strap that goes between the child's legs. If a seat only has a three-point harness, with two shoulder straps and a buckle strap between the legs, it is likely a noncompliant seat.
Why It Matters: Safety Standards for Car Seats
Think those safety standards don't matter? Car seat manufacturer Doona posted a video comparing a crash test featuring a real Doona seat and a counterfeit model. The difference is stark. Take a look at doona.com.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has extensive information available for families about how to choose a car seat. It also includes a list of approved seats by type. Visit healthychildren.org.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has important information about recalls and other car seat safety details, including help with registering your seat. Visit nhtsa.gov.
Safe Kids Worldwide offers its Ultimate Car Seat Guide to help families choose and install the right seat and know when to change it. Visit ucsg.safekids.org.
If you find a fake or noncompliant car seat, report it to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem and to the U.S. Department or Commerce via email at stopfakes@trade.gov.