Child passenger safety week with Eli Gurock, CPST
In honor of Child Passenger Safety Week, we invited Eli Gurock, Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) and former owner of Magic Beans to join us on an Instagram Live! For those who missed it, Eli shares expert tips on how to keep your child safe on the road and offers practical advice on choosing the right baby gear for you. Whether you’re a new parent or looking for a car seat refresher, read on for Eli’s helpful insights.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into the baby industry
I have been in the baby industry for over 20 years. I ran a small regional chain of baby stores called Magic Beans, but I’m most well-known for having the most comprehensive reviews of car seats and strollers on YouTube.
Do parents need to start with an infant car seat or can they start with a convertible car seat?
In some cases, starting with a convertible makes sense if you don’t plan on traveling and don’t have a car. However, most of the time, it makes sense for families to get an infant car seat, as they are optimized to fit an infant.
Is a higher-priced car seat safer than a less expensive car seat? What’s the difference?
It’s important to note that all car seats in the U.S. pass FMVSS213, which means they are safe. A car seat is only safe if it’s installed correctly and fits your child properly. However, more expensive car seats may be easier to install, which can ensure proper installation, and they may have advanced materials that go above and beyond in terms of crash testing.
What’s a load leg / anti-rebound bar? Is it necessary or not?
A load leg and an anti-rebound bar are both enhancements that reduce the rotation of a car seat, increasing its safety by absorbing some of the energy released during the crash. That said, if a car seat does not have an anti-rebound bar or load leg and is certified in the US, it is still safe. It’s important to read the instruction manual—for instance, with a Doona, you should always have the handle in the Anti-Rebound position, whether you use a base or not.
Can car seats be used internationally?
Unfortunately, this question doesn’t have an easy answer. While babies are similar all over the world, the local regulation for car seats isn’t. So even though a US certified car seat will also protect a child in case of an accident in the UK, from a regulatory point of view the US car seat is not certified for use in the UK. I have always advised parents to buy a car seat that is certified in the market in which they will spend most of their time. For example, if you live in the US I would recommend buying a US certified car seat, but if you live in the UK, I would recommend buying a seat with UK certification.
As for travel, while a car seat might not be certified in a foreign country, I would feel much more comfortable using my own car seat, which I know how to use and install, than using a car seat that I am not familiar with and do not know its history. Please note, although the car seats themselves shouldn’t pose a problem, the cars in different markets may be different. For example they may not have LATCH, shoulder belts, or locking seat belts (all of which are standard in the US), so be prepared.
Do car seats expire? Why do some have shorter expiration dates vs. longer?
Most car seats have an expiration date, which is related to the quality of materials and engineering of the seat. The materials that protect the child can degrade over time due to weather. All car seats have expiration dates stickered to them. If your car seat has expired, it needs to be disposed of permanently.
Do I need to replace a car seat when you’ve been in an accident?
This may seem obvious, but yes. Nevertheless, NHTSA distinguishes between a minor and a moderate or severe crash. According to the NHTSA guidelines, a car seat must not be used after a moderate or severe crash, but in case of a minor crash, the car seat can still be used. If you want to know if a crash is considered minor you can check out the NHTSA guidelines on their website. Still when in doubt, don’t use a car seat after a crash.
What is the deal with infant inserts? Some have them, some don’t. When should you use them, or when should you take them out?
This comes back to reading the instruction manual. Most of the time, there are very specific instructions about how long you can and can’t use the infant insert or other pieces of the car seat. Please read the manual because there could be a safety concern if you are not using your seat the way it was crash-tested.
What are the most common questions that you get asked by new parents?
I get a lot of questions about car seat adapters, travel systems, and car seat-to-stroller compatibility. It’s one of the most confusing things for new parents, and no, you don’t need to get the same brand of infant car seat and stroller.
What are some myths about car seat safety?
Booster seats aren’t important.
You can turn your baby around earlier than two years old.
If someone wants to get in touch with you what’s the best way to connect?
Eli Gurock is a CPST and the former owner of Magic Beans, a regional chain of baby stores. Be sure to follow him on Instagram @mbeansdotcom for more tips, car seat reviews, and more! Need help with car seat installation? Find a CPST at safekids.org.
At Doona, we’re always trying our very best to make parenting simpler for every family. Which is also why we’ve created our innovative and revolutionary Doona Car Seat & Stroller which transforms from a car seat to a stroller in the click of a button; and Liki Trike — the most compact folding toddler trike on the market that grows alongside toddlers with five modes of use.
