New booster seat ratings: 8 car seats to avoid

A report released today shows there are still some booster seats on the market that may not protect your child in a crash.

Booster seats are meant to lift children so that lap seat belts, designed for adults, fit flat across their upper thighs and shoulder belts hit mid-shoulder, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Booster seats are designed for children ages four through eight. The institute recommends replacement as soon as possible if the booster doesn't seem to properly fit.

Out of the 72 boosters evaluated, 21 were recommended as "best bets," seven were rated "good bets" and eight were not recommended. Last year, only nine boosters rated as "best bets."

The worst-fitting models, according to the institute, were Eddie Bauer's Deluxe and Deluxe 3-in-1, Evenflo's Express, Generation 65 and Sightseer, Safety 1st's All-in-One and Alpha Omega Elite and Harmony's Baby Armor.

Harmony Juvenile Products had five "best bet" booster seats, more than any other manufacturer. Other recommended products include Chicco's Keyfit Strada and Graco's TurboBooster Crawford. Dorel Juvenile Group, which makes Eddie Bauer and Safety 1st seats, had five of its seats rated "good" or "best bets" by the Insurance Institute, with four listed as "not recommended."

Other "good bets" were Combi's Kobuk Air Thru, Britax's Parkway SG and Maxi-Cosi's Rodi.