Despite their safety benefits, five-point harnesses are not actually required for car seats, strollers, swings, seats, or any other kind of baby gear. “A five-point harness, while used on almost every car seat restraint excluding boosters, is not required in the U.S.,” says Michael Bloch, who leads child car seat project tests at Consumer Reports. But safety experts say parents should absolutely look for a five-point harness as an important safety feature.
“A well-designed five-point harness is the safest way to strap in your baby or toddler to many products, not just car seats,” says Gabe Knight, a senior safety policy analyst for CR. “Whether using a stroller, high chair, or swing, a five-point harness can contain a child much better than a three-point harness. But even the best harness system only works if it’s used correctly and consistently, so it’s important for baby gear to be designed with accessibility and ease of use in mind.”
Muratore adds that while a five-point harness isn’t required, it’s something consumers should look for from a safety standpoint. In high chairs, for example, fall risk can occur if a baby slides down and out of the bottom, not just side to side, so a five-point harness is part of the safety system that keeps baby secure in the seat. CR recommends five-point harnesses as a safety feature for strollers and stroller wagons. In fact, all of Consumer Reports’ recommended car seats, strollers, and high chairs feature five-point harnesses to help parents find the safest products.
