Safety Notices

FAQ

Q. How does the Companion provide side impact protection?

A. Both the design of the inflatable headrest and the deep carrier shell that contains the child provide an optimum level of side impact protection.

Q. How long can my child seat be used or when does it "expire"?

A. Please refer to the user guide that came with your child seat to determine its recommended useful life. Britax recommends that the use of a child seat be discontinued after a certain number of years from date of manufacture, depending on the seat, or if the seat has been involved in a severe crash. Expiration dates are recommended for various reasons: technology has changed, components degrade from the environment (depending on how and where stored), parts get lost or installed incorrectly, or instructions and labels may not be available or not legible. After a child seat has met its expiration date, Britax recommends that the child seat be destroyed.

Q. Is my child seat aircraft approved?

A. A child seat has been tested and certified to meet FAA requirements if it is labeled, “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.” Even though your child seat may be certified for use on aircraft, it is still a good idea to contact the airline prior to travel to ask. Some aircraft have seating configurations which are incompatible with certain child seats.

Some Britax child seats are not certified for use on aircraft. Please refer to your product user guide to determine if your Britax car seat is certified for aircraft use.

Q. The base of the Chaperone infant carrier hangs over the edge of the seat when installed in my vehicle. Is this safe?

A. Historically, Child Passenger Safety curriculum has referenced an “80/20 rule of thumb” – which suggests that at least 80% of the child restraint’s base should be in contact with the vehicle seat.

Whereas this rule of thumb is a good starting point, changes in product design and materials among manufacturers have resulted in products that defy this guideline in both directions. Some products require 100% of the restraint’s base be in contact with the vehicle seat, while other products may allow for less than 80%. If limitations to standard installations exist – it should be well documented in the user guide.

Britax has extensively tested the Chaperone Infant Carrier under all configurations possible within the FMVSS-213 standard – with each result far exceeding the required standards.

Q. The Companion's anti-rebound bar is not making complete contact with the vehicle seat back. Is this okay?

A. The contour of the vehicle seat will affect the amount of contact between the seat back and the anti-rebound bar. Once a firm installation is achieved, the space is typically minimal.

Q. What is the correct handle position for the Britax Companion infant carrier when used in the vehicle?

A. For in-vehicle use, whether used with or without the base, the handle to the Companion infant carrier must be down and behind the carrier. This is the proper in-vehicle position.

Q. Which strollers are compatible with the Chaperone infant carrier?

A. The Chaperone infant carrier is compatible with the Britax Chaperone stroller. When used with the Britax adapter strap, the Chaperone is also compatible with most major brand strollers, including the Chicco Cortina, Peg Perego Pliko 3, Baby Trend Snap N’ Go, Maclaren Techno XLR, and Baby Jogger City Mini.

Q. Why can't I tether my Britax Companion child seat?

A. The Companion does not have a tether. The base has an anti-rebound bar that will assist to reduce rebound in the event of a frontal impact.