Dorel now requires all of its CRs to touch the seatback ahead when used rear facing, as stated in the company’s current owner’s manuals. A recently published study (Maltese, M., et al.) describes the research that helped inform the company’s decision for this change (see SRN Sept/Oct 2024).
SRN has reported on the situation since Dorel made this announcement last summer, most notably in the Jan/Feb 2024 issue. However, having had the opportunity to apply these instructions to CR installations in the field, SRN has found that what seems, at first glance, to be one simple step in installing a CR—making sure it touches the seatback ahead or is a close as possible—is actually more complex when responsibly applied. Additionally, Dorel’s new rules have drawn needed attention to some topics that should be addressed for any rear-facing CR. Therefore, this article contains tips for techs navigating this situation in the field.
Know the Dorel brands
At press time, Dorel was the only company that requires RF CRs to touch the seatback ahead or be as close as possible. But Dorel (full name Dorel Juvenile Group) is a parent company name; the rule applies to its many CR brands. As readers likely know—but many CPSTs do not—Dorel includes the brands Cosco, Safety 1st, and Maxi-Cosi. However, this huge company also sells CRs with Disney, Disney Baby, and Eddie Bauer branding, and Safety 1st RF-only models are included with some Monbebe-brand strollers. In addition, the company has renamed Cosco as Cosco Kids (though SRN sees that many online retailers still use Cosco).
This is a lot to keep track of! And it isn’t realistic to expect a new tech to know this. After all, the CPST curriculum avoids stating the names of brands (and sub-brands). So a CPST’s continuing education must include learning which brands are affiliated with Dorel.
And note that Dorel has made these instructions retroactive, so simply reading the owner’s manual won’t suffice. At least for CRs made before 2024, it is up to CPSTs to know (or figure out) if Dorel’s instructions apply. If unsure whether a CR is a Dorel product, check the fine print in owner’s manuals and on labels for the words Dorel Juvenile. Users of SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A.’s Child Restraint Manufacturers Instructions (CRMI; go to www.carseat.org) may find it helpful that all Dorel sub-brand instructions appear in one Dorel folder in this resource.
Plan ahead when possible
When CR models are known ahead of time, such as when the caregivers register for appointments or CRs are supplied by the CPS program, CPSTs can flag Dorel CRs to ensure that attention is paid to seatback touching, as necessary.
At some checkup events, though, techs won’t know the CR ahead of time. In those situations, it’s a good idea to have the senior checker supervising the event take responsibility for noting these CRs when they arrive and providing reminders and support to the CPSTs who serve families.
Take a generalist approach
A year of applying Dorel’s new instructions has demonstrated that a Dorel installation is often not any different than installation of a CR of another brand. Often CRs are installed in a center seating position, for instance, where there is usually no seat directly ahead; in this situation, Dorel doesn’t require a CR to touch the outboard seats ahead of it.
But, even in outboard positions, many installations are alike because, in most vehicles, the fore-aft space is limited. Creating enough space is more often an issue than removing extra space. In these common situations, when the rear seat barely accommodates a RF convertible (or even some RF-only models), the question of touching becomes somewhat moot because the issue isn’t whether the CR touches but how much.
For any brand (Dorel or not), only light touching is allowed (except Evenflo RF-only models require a 1.5-inch gap). SRN has found that even manufacturers of the few models with instructions that say the CR should not contact the vehicle note that they’ll allow light touching of the seatback ahead if necessary.
However, the similarities don’t mean this topic doesn’t require attention. On the contrary, whether due to the age-old issue of fitting a CR in a tight space or the new Dorel instructions to remove a gap, managing the fore-aft space for installing a RF CR demands attention to certain details. This has always been true of any CR, but the recent change in Dorel instructions has brought more attention to them. The following, which focuses mostly on a CR touching a front seat (by far the most common situation), should be considered.
Know if the seatback may/must touch
If the CR is installed in a center position with no seat ahead, don’t worry about touching (or not). In outboard positions, Dorel urges touching, while Evenflo requires a 1.5-inch gap for RF-only CRs (not convertibles or all-in-ones in RF mode.) To date, all other brands allow light touching if necessary (though some, like Nuna and babyark, would say to leave a gap if possible).
Use the paper test
To be sure a CR is touching a seatback only lightly, use the “paper test.” Imagine (or literally place) a sheet of paper between the CR (with the child harnessed in) and the seatback. The touch is light if the paper can be pulled out without ripping. By following this guideline, the CR should be acceptably positioned per CR instructions and also not violate vehicle instructions that prohibit touching.
Advise caregivers to monitor air bag status
As described above, light touching (passing the paper test) should not interfere with a vehicle’s air bag sensors, even those that are sensitive to seatback pressure. However, advise caregivers to keep tabs on their air bag status indicator on the dash when a CR touches the front seat. This is good advice in general, but particularly because the status could change after the checkup—for instance, if the amount of pressure increases as the child gains weight. (To learn if a sensor is pressure sensitive, see the vehicle owner’s manual and the AAB bullet for the brand in Appendix B of the LATCH Manual.)
Check adjustability of the CR’s seat
When needing less or more space for a rear-facing CR installation, first consider whether the seat that the CR is installed on can be adjusted forward/back, as is sometimes possible in a van or SUV. This method of creating/removing space avoids adjusting the front seat’s placement and affecting the safety of those occupants.
Attend to any adjusted front seat
If a front seat has been moved during a checkup for any reason—whether to add space, to fill an air gap, or simply for convenience during the checkup—the safety of the front seat passengers must be ascertained before the family leaves. While the CR remains properly installed, check that the occupants can fit in the adjusted seats, that their seat belts fit properly, and that the driver can reach the brake and gas pedals.
In particular, since CPSTs so often assist caregivers who are expecting, it is vital that the pregnant caregiver leave the checkup as safe as or safer than when they arrived. CPSTs can learn and teach using resources posted by the Hudson Center for Prenatal Vehicle Safety, which include how to perform a pregnancy seat belt fit test—a service that is highly recommended during applicable checkups when time allows.
Educate caregivers to continue monitoring their own belt fit and CR/front seat interactions, as they’ll likely need to adjust their seat for a variety of reasons after the checkup.
Test shell-to-base fit for RF-only CRs
As always, emphasize to caregivers using a RF-only CR with a base that they must be certain the parts are properly locked together. Pay special attention to this issue when the CR touches a seatback ahead; not only may the seatback prevent a full connection between the shell and the base, but the shape of the seatback and/or friction between the CR and seatback could mask a shell that is not fully locked. (Note: Be watchful for this problem anywhere in the vehicle; even a center console could interfere.) CPSTs should point out the base’s locking mechanism to caregivers so they are aware of how and where the shell connects. Advise them to ensure on every ride that the mechanism is clear of any stray items (like straps), to push downward (and, on most RF-only CRs, listen for clicks into each locking point) when placing the shell on the base, and then to lift upward on the shell to ensure it is properly connected.