Car seats are a crucial component of keeping our little ones safe while cruising down the road. But you may not have realized that some car seats contain flame retardants—chemicals that are added to car seat components that slow down or prevent the spread of fire during collisions. While flame retardants may seem like a good thing, there are concerns about their safety. We’ll explore what flame retardants are, why they are used in car seats, and what you need to know to make informed decisions about the safety of your child’s car seat. Our best advice? Read on and don’t panic.
What Are Flame Retardants?
Flame retardants (FRs) are chemicals added to a wide range of products—including strollers, mattresses, swings, and furniture—to slow down or prevent the start of a fire. There are two FR varieties: Additive and reactive. Additive FRs are blended into the product’s material or added as a coating but are not chemically bonded to the product. Because they aren’t bound to the material, they can migrate and may transfer to dust, clothing, and skin. Reactive FRs are chemically bound to the product and less likely to migrate.
FRs are often categorized according to their chemical structure and properties. The most common flame retardants include:
- Brominated flame retardants (BFRs).
- Chlorinated flame retardants (CFRs).
- Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs).
- Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPAs).
Some flame retardants, like BFRs and CFRs, are associated with adverse health effects, including endocrine disruption and cancer, and have been phased out of manufacturing processes.
Why Are Flame Retardants Used in Car Seats?
In 1991, car seat manufacturers began adding fire retardants to the padding of car seats to meet the new safety standard. Federal law requires that car seats be fire-resistant and comply with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) FMVSS 302 standard for motor vehicle flammability. What does this regulation mean for car seats? They must meet the same flammability standards as the interior of your car.
Are There Flame Retardants in All Car Seats?
In response to the health and environmental concerns associated with some traditional FRs, there is a movement towards finding safer alternatives. These include using inherently flame-resistant materials, like wool, and developing new flame-retardant technologies that are less harmful.
That’s a long way of saying yes, there are FR-free car seat options, including ones that won’t break the bank (FR-free options are traditionally cost-prohibitive). Brands with flame retardant free car seats include:
- All Nuna car seats.
- All Britax SafeWash car seats.
- All Chicco ClearTex car seats.
- All Maxi-Cosi Pure Cosi car seats.
- All Clek car seats in Winter Mammoth, Mammoth, or Railroad fashions.
- All UPPAbaby car seats in Alice, Gregory, Greyson, Henry, Jake, Jordan, and Stella.
- All Orbit Baby car seats in merino wool.
- All Peg Perego car seats in Merino Wool.
Read more: The Best Flame Retardant Free Car Seats <<<<to be published
How Big a Concern Are Flame Retardants in Car Seats?
Any parent wants the best for their children, and prioritizing eco-friendly nontoxic products is a worthwhile (and understandable) endeavor. There are known adverse health effects associated with some flame retardants. But we have a gentle reminder:
Car accidents are the second leading cause of death for children and adolescents in the United States. The safest car seat is one that is the right size for your child’s weight, height, and age; that fits your car; and that is properly installed each and every time.
Most parenting involves a balancing act: Children spend a (relatively) limited amount of time in their car seats day-to-day, and remember, the next-best-to-optimal choice is often an excellent choice. If your baby gear budget accommodates the typically larger price tag for FR-free car seats, you’ll have plenty of options. But if it doesn’t? A developmentally appropriate and safely installed car seat remains an outstanding choice, and you should pat yourself on the back for ensuring your little one is riding safely.
What can you do if you’re concerned about unsafe chemical additives in your baby gear? Make noise. Email and call your local Congressman and Senators and encourage them to change current flammability standards, or contact your favorite baby gear brand to let them know you want more affordable FR-free options.
What’s the Difference Between Flame-Retardant and Flame-Resistant?
The primary difference between flame-resistant and flame-retardant materials is their production process: Flame-resistant fabrics naturally resist combustion when exposed to flames, while flame-retardant materials are treated with chemicals that make them resistant to fire.
Another distinction is price. Naturally flame-resistant products, including car seats, are more expensive than items treated with flame retardants.
Tips for Reducing Flame Retardant Exposure
If you’re worried about flame-retardant chemicals in your child’s car seat, you can take steps to mitigate their exposure.
- Off-gas your car seat after purchasing. Allow your new car seat to spend a few days outside under the sun before installing it. That will give the most volatile chemicals time to off-gas before using it with your little one.
- Don’t use your car seat more than necessary. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends limiting car seat usage to travel time exclusively. Children shouldn’t be left to lounge or sleep in car seats for a number of health-related and safety reasons, and less time in a car seat also means less time spent exposed to any flame retardants.
- Ventilate your car. During sweltering weather, do your best to spark in a shady spot and crack your windows. Excessive heat accelerates FR chemical migration.
- Keep your car seat clean. Periodically cleaning your car seat (according to manufacturer instructions) and vacuuming your car’s interior can help limit dust, where flame retardants can gather.
Finding What’s Right for You
Albee Baby is the oldest family-owned specialty baby shop in the US, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best assortment of baby products anywhere, at fair prices, always. We’re committed to being an inclusive resource for parents and hope you feel empowered to find the right baby gear for your family. Still have questions? Feel free to contact our baby gear experts at 877.692.5233 or [email protected].