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March 29, 2008

NHTSA 5 Star Car Seat Ease Of Use Rating System

NHTSA(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has released their 5 star ease of use rating system. Please let me stress that this is not a rating system based on safety, only ease of use.

Click on link below to view the ratings.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.9f8c7d6359e0e9bbbf30811060008a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=4427b997caacf504a8bdba101891ef9a_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_4427b997caacf504a8bdba101891ef9a_viewID=detail_view&itemID=c57b24b3b0d55110VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD&viewType=standard&detailViewURL=/portal/site/nhtsa/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.9f8c7d6359e0e9bbbf30811060008a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=4427b997caacf504a8

Posted by ellabella at 08:44 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Britax and the NEW Frontier Car Seat

 

 

 

The NEW Britax Frontier Car Seat has arrived! This seat will likely replace the enourmous Regent youth seat. It will work as a forward facing seat with 5 point harness system from 2 years old and 25-80 pounds and a belt positioning booster from 40-100 pounds. This will be the last seat you will have to buy when your tot is able to turn forward.

The Britax Frontier will initially be offered in four different color options, Canyon, Red Rock, Rushmore and Pink Sky and will retail for $279.99. To purchase or Pre-Order the Britax Frontier visit http://www.ellabellakids.com/britax-frontier.html 

Let me stress that this seat can NOT be used until the child has reached his/her 2nd birthday and 25 pounds. This seat will not be appropriate if you are looking for the next seat up from the infant car seat! For something more appropriate for this age group visit

Overall Product Weight: 24 lbs
Product Dimensions (W x H x D):

  • Seat Dimensions - 19.5 x 22 x 26.5
  • Harnessed ,headrest extended - 19.5 x 27.75 x 27
  • Booster - 19.5 x 22 x 20
  • Booster, headrest extended - 19.5 x 25.25 x 20


Interior Product Dimensions:

  • Seating Compartment Height - 21.5"
  • Seat Area Depth / Width - 13.5" / 12"
  • Shoulder Width - 15.25"
  • Harness Slot Heights - 12.25" / 13.1" / 14" / 14.9" / 15.75" / 16.5" / 17.4" / 18.25"
  • Buckle Strap Depth - 5" / 6.5"/ 8.25"

 

Posted by ellabella at 08:34 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

March 10, 2008

Pediped Flex Shoes Are HERE!!!!

 

 

Finally, for all of us who have been on pins and needles waiting for the Pediped Flex shoes, they have arrived. The response has been great. Moms are loving how they can now transition from the baby peds into the larger sizes without loosing the flexibility. The name is pretty cool too. Below are some of the benefits of the Pediped Flex shoes.

Soft & Flexible -  Exceptionally soft, flexible soles and uppers help to provide healthy foot development. Ultra flexible FLEX ZONES provide maximum flexibility and support natural foot motion. 

Heel Cushion - Shock absorbing cushions on each heel protect against impact and distribute pressure through-out the foot. 

Flex Fit System - pediped Flex™ offer a unique fit system. Each pair comes with an additional 2mm insole to customize the fit so it just right for each child. If the child starts with both insoles, as the child’s feet grow the additional insoles may be removed to extend the length of time the child can wear the shoes. 

Posted by ellabella at 08:58 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Choosing The Correct Infant Car Seat

When selecting the best car seat for your infant keep a few things in mind. The most expensive seat on the market can be the least safe if it is not appropriate for your child's age, and size or does not fit properly in your vehcile. Questions? Give us a call at ellabellakids.com. 

  • Use rear-facing up to 20-22 pounds or higher on some models.

  • A 5-point harness is preferred, keep chest clip at armpit level and not on the neck or tummy

  • Harness strap slots should be at or below the shoulders

  • A front adjuster to tighten the harness makes it easy to use

  • Newborns and infants should have a 45 degree maximum recline

  • Built-in angle indicators and adjusters may help get the correct recline

  • Manufacturers have differing instructions on where handle should be while traveling. Read the instruction manual to learn if it should be up or down in the vehicle.

  • A rear-facing tether, rebound bar and impact foam found on some models may improve safety

  • Infant seats may fit newborns better than convertible models

  • Some models include a complete stroller and base system, while others may include just the convenient base that installs in the car

 Contributed by carseatsafety.org http://www.car-safety.org/basics.html.

Posted by ellabella at 08:40 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Combi Recall on Shuttle, Centre and ARB Seats

February 2008
Safety Recall Notice
Dear Combi Centre, Centre ARB and Shuttle Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor
Vehicle Safety Act.
Combi USA, Inc. of Fort Mill, SC has decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall of the Centre,
Centre ARB and Shuttle (Model # 8065, 8074, 8086, 8087and 8520) and associated Travel
Systems containing Centre and Shuttle (Model # 4400, 4515, 4520). This recall includes the
entire production of this model from October 2005 through December 2007. No other models are
affected.
Reason For The Recall
Combi USA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Transport Canada
recently conducted numerous laboratory tests (in many cases these tests exceeded the
requirements of the current US standard) to analyze the overall effectiveness of the Centre and
Shuttle car seats in motor vehicle frontal crashes. This test data revealed that the car seat could
potentially become separated from its base under these conditions.
Please be assured that all Centre and Shuttle car seats have consistently met existing
government safety standards. However, because of the separation during testing of vehicles in
impact frontal crashes, Combi is conducting a voluntary recall campaign with the intent of
providing car seats with enhanced protection under frontal impact crash conditions. Combi USA,
Inc. has received no reports of injuries to date regarding the Centre, Centre ARB and Shuttle
Infant Restraints. Our first priority at Combi is to provide the highest level of safety and quality for
the children we protect.
What Action Should You Take?
We urge you to contact us to obtain the free retrofit kit. To place an order, please visit our website
at www.combi-intl.com, or call Combi Consumer Relations Department at 1 800 543 7734
Monday through Thursday between 8AM and 5PM EST, Friday between 8AM and 3PM. If you
have passed your Centre and/or Shuttle Infant Restraint along to a friend or neighbor, please
share this information with them. You will not incur any shipping costs and your order will arrive
within 6-8 weeks. In the meantime, Combi recommends that consumers use the Combi Centre
and Shuttle without the base until the retrofit kit is installed. Please refer to your instruction
manual for proper installation without the base. These seats are designed for and safe to use
without the base.
Questions
Please visit our website at www.combi-intl.com, or call Combi Consumer Relations Department
at 1 800 543 7734 with questions concerning this issue. Please have your Centre and Shuttle
Infant Restraint in front of you when you access our website or call.
If you believe that we failed or were unable to remedy this issue without charge or within a
reasonable time, you may wish to write to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue S.E. Washington, DC 20590 or call the toll free Vehicle
Safety Hotline at (888-327-4236) or visit NHTSA’s website at www.nhtsa.gov.
We apologize for this inconvenience, but we’re taking this action in the interest of your child’s
safety and to ensure your trust in our products.
Sincerely,
Combi USA, Inc.

Posted by ellabella at 08:36 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)