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CPS Products

Frequently Asked Questions

The following is a list of common questions about SafeGuard CPS Products. If you have additional questions, please contact customer service at safeguard@imminet.com or 877-447-2305.

1. Is IMMI selling child restraints or just components?
IMMI® no longer sells complete child restraints to the general public. The company has determined

that IMMI can best serve its mission by placing emphasis on working directly with child restraint manufacturers to advance the state of the art for component systems. Significant opportunities in the components business, as well as the company’s priority on maintaining strong long term relationships with industry partners, have led the company to take a different approach to marketing and selling complete child seats. IMMI is emphasizing partnerships with child seating manufacturers to get advanced component system technology into the hands of parents.

The SafeGuard Child Seat, on the market from 2006 to 2009, was designed specifically to combat the most common misuses of child restraints and is the only forward facing child restraint to have received a five-star ease-of-use rating from NHTSA in 2008. The SafeGuard Go®, now marketed by Dorel Juvenile Group, received four stars, the highest rating of any child restraint in the category of combination seats used in forward facing mode.

These ratings demonstrate that IMMI was successful in its effort to advance the state of the art in components by introducing child restraints that are easy to use correctly. The CPS products utilized in the SafeGuard Child Seat and SafeGuard Go are now available to child restraint manufacturers for integration into their current and future product lines.

2. Where can I get the new Go seat?
On Sept. 13, 2009, Dorel Juvenile Group, the largest child restraint system manufacturer in the world, will re-introduce SafeGuard Go under its Safety 1st brand as the Go HybridTM Booster Child restraint. Dorel Juvenile Group will be the manufacturer of the product, and IMMI will supply harness and LATCH attachment system components. To learn where you can find this product, visit the Safety 1st website.

3. What is the LATCH system?
LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. It is an installation system created to standardize the way child safety seats are attached to vehicles without reliance on seat belts as the attachment mechanism. LATCH consists of two lower anchors in the vehicle seat (metal loops) and an upper anchor built into the vehicle’s structure or back seat. Lower LATCH connectors on child restraints connect to lower anchors in the vehicle seat, and the top tether connector on the seat connects to the upper anchor on the vehicle. It’s a federal requirement that all vehicles and most child restraints manufactured after Sept. 1, 2002, are equipped with LATCH. Some vehicle manufacturers implemented LATCH earlier, so check your owner’s manual.

4. Can I use LATCH in the center position of my vehicle seat?
Please reference the vehicle owner's manual for the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.

5. Are there any SafeGuard components that will get hot in the sun?
The buckle, buckle tongues and adjusters may get hot if left exposed to the sun. Always check the temperature against the back of your hand before placing your child in a child restraint. Cover the restraint while not in use to help prevent possible issues.

6. What is a top tether strap, and when should it be used?
The top tether, located at the top of some child seats, connects to an anchor point behind or above the seat (please see the vehicle owners manual for location details). The top tether secures the car seat more securely to the vehicle and prevents forward movement of the child car seat in the event of a collision.

7. I can’t find the top tether anchors in my car. Am I looking in the right place?
Tether anchors can be located in different areas depending on the vehicle. Common locations are in the rear parcel shelf area, on the interior roof and behind the seat on the floor. Be careful not to confuse the tether anchors with cargo tie down locations. Reference the vehicle owner's manual for specific tether anchor locations and details. Older vehicles may not have these anchors, but most can be retrofitted at no cost. Contact the vehicle manufacturer or a dealership for details.

8. How do I know if my child restraint is installed securely?
The child restraint shouldn't move more than one inch when pulled side to side or front to back (hands are to be positioned near the belt path), and the top tether (if it is being used) should have no slack when tightened. Always make sure the child restraint is secure before each trip. If you're unable to get a tight installation, please visit a local child seat fitting station for assistance. To locate a fitting station, please contact the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT or call IMMI Customer Service at 1-800-586-7839.

9. How do I know if my child restraint has been recalled?
If you register your child restraint with the manufacturer, you should be contacted in the event of a recall. Organizations that post recall lists include:

10. Will child restraint users break a nail when using SafeGuard MiniConnectors?
Experience in the field demonstrates that users quickly learn how to attach MiniConnectors™ to LATCH anchors without breaking a fingernail in the process.