Nine out of 27 child car seat models are not as effective in protecting children from frontal impact when installed facing forwards - and they were not the cheapest on the market, the Consumer Council has found.
It concluded, after testing, that it was safer to install the car seats using the International Organisation for Standardisation Fix (Isofix) system or in a rear-facing position. Some cars come with the Isofix system built in, and child safety seats must also have the specific anchor points and attachments fitted.
The nine models got scores of 2.5 or less out of five in the safety tests when the seats were installed facing forwards.
They were priced from about HK$2,500 to HK$4,000. The cheapest model on the market costs less than HK$900.
The worst performer was Italian brand Cam, which costs about HK$3,700 and scored 1.5 in the testing. However, when installed facing forwards using Isofix, which includes a top tether, the seat scored 3 points.
Another Italian brand, Peg Perego, scored 2.5 for safety when installed facing the front, but got full marks in the rear-facing position. The model costs HK$3,600 and Isofix is not available for it.
