The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just released the results of tests on 72 models of child safety “booster” seats, designed to keep older children properly restrained in automobiles. The booster seats are the next step after a traditional car seat for infants and young children. Booster seats are generally produced for youngsters ages 4-8. Booster seats are designed to simply raise children to the proper height so that an automobile’s standard safety belt will properly restrain them in the event of a crash.

Booster seats have not typically fared well in safety reviews. In past years, the majority of booster seats reviewed by the IIHS have failed, receiving “poor” ratings. This year, 21 of the reviewed booster seats performed well enough to earn a “best bet” rating from the organization, which indicates a high level of confidence in the product. An additional seven seats received a “good bet” rating. Eight seats were placed on the “not recommended” list.

The recommendations come just before National Child Passenger Safety Week, which is set for September 19-25, 2010. The week, developed and promoted by the national Highway Traffic Safety Administration, promotes awareness about the importance of using proper child restraints in vehicles. “Seat Check Saturday” caps off the weeklong observance, with many cities and towns offering an opportunity for parents and caregivers to have a professional make sure their car seat is properly installed.

Free child safety seat inspection

Beasley Allen is sponsoring a Seat Check Saturday event on Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to Noon in Montgomery, Ala. The event will be held at The Shoppes at EastChase, in the parking lot across from Storkland and The Name Dropper. This event is FREE and open to the public. Learn how to reserve your spot today.

Here is a list of the booster seat ratings from the IIHS:

Best Bets:

Britax Frontier 85 (combination highback)
Chicco Keyfit Strada (dual highback)
Clek Oobr (dual highback)
Cosco Juvenile Pronto (dual highback)
Cybex Solution X-Fix (highback)
Eddie Bauer Auto Booster (dual highback)
Evenflo Big Kid Amp (backless)
Evenflo Maestro (combination highback)
Graco TurboBooster Crawford (dual highback)
Harmony Baby Armor (dual highback)
Harmony Dreamtime (dual backless)
Harmony Dreamtime (dual highback)
Harmony Secure Comfort Deluxe (backless)
Harmony Youth Booster Seat (backless)
Maxi-Cosi Rodi XR (dual highback)
Recaro ProBOOSTER (highback)
Recaro ProSPORT (combination highback)
Recaro Vivo (highback)
Recaro Young Sport (combination highback)
Safety 1st Boost Air Protect (dual highback)
The First Years Pathway B570 (highback)

Good Bets:

Britax Parkway SG (dual highback)
Combi Kobuk Air Thru (dual backless)
Combi Kobuk Air Thru (dual highback)
Evenflo Symphony 65 (3-in-1 highback)
Graco TurboBooster Sachi (dual highback)
Graco TurboBooster Wander (dual highback)
Maxi-Cosi Rodi (dual highback)

Not recommended:

Eddie Bauer Deluxe (combination highback)
Eddie Bauer Deluxe 3-in-1 (highback)
Evenflo Express (combination highback)
Evenflo Generations 65 (combination highback)
Evenflo Sightseer (highback)
Harmony Baby Armor (dual backless)
Safety 1st All-in-One (3-in-1 highback)
Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite (3-in-1 highback)

For more information, visit the IIHS online.