Complain about a product or service

Britax

W of Dix Hills, NY March 4, 2002

I needed to purchase a new car seat for my toddler. Safety was my main concern and I wanted to purchase the best seat that I could buy. I was told by the experts at Buy Buy Baby that Britax made the best, safest car seat. They recommended this seat over all others. It offered many upgrades to the competition. It was simple to use. It reclined so the babys head did not slump over when he slept. There were even Velcro straps that held the belts open so that it was easier to place the baby in the seat. It was highly rated by the baby experts and so I made the purchase.

Within weeks, my 2 year old son was able to open up the seat belt lock and escape the car seat. This is a dangerous problem. I called the manufacturer and asked the representative why the lock was so easy to open. I was told that due to government regulations, the lock had to be easily opened in case of an emergency where it may be necessary to remove the child from the seat quickly.

My problem, however, was not unusual and the representative from Britax was not surprised. I did not need to offer the model number of my car seat. The lock was the same on all the Britax seats and the problem existed on each of them. This problem was common and Britax had a solution. A plastic cover snapped over the lock release thus making it child proof. The car seat can not be unlocked without removing the cover. Britax would supply the plastic guard at no charge to me. I would only have to pay shipping and handling. They would not however take the car seat back and recommended I return to the outlet where I made the purchase if I was still unhappy.

Somewhat concerned about this lock modification, I returned to Buy Buy Baby to ask for their assistance. They had complaints from many other parents that their children could unlock the car seat. They even stocked the plastic guard and would show me how to install and use it. It does work. My son can no longer open the seat.

However, now there is a much larger concern. This attachment is difficult to install and remove day to day and can not easily be manipulated with one hand. In case of an emergency, I can not get my child out of this seat quickly. Further, if I am unable to open this seat myself, someone unfamiliar with this safety guard would not be able to get him out of his seat at all. This plastic guard conceals the lock release.

Now, this top of the line car seat appears to me to be unsafe. In order to use it, I had to modify it from its original design. It is no longer user friendly. Clearly, Britax is aware of the magnitude of this problem. The plastic cover is readily available. Buy Buy Baby had boxes of the clips on hand. Unfortunately, knowing that small children can free themselves from the seat belt, Britax chose not alter their lock design. The 2002 model is the same. Baby safety being number one, I feel concerned.

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