Unfortunately, it is impossible for us to determine the safest car seats based on these, because the manufacturers are not required to release this information, and they don't. However, we can be sure that every car seat on the market does meet or exceed United States governmental regulations.

You can find out which car seats are safest through Consumer Reports, which does simulated car crashes to test the effectiveness of car seats. However, we should also note that scientists have discounted the results for various reasons. Sometimes it's because of past mistakes, or because of poor parameters and less than good reporting. Still, Consumer Reports is a good place to begin your research.

Consumer Reports has written about its top picks over the years. Do remember, however, that even the safest car seat in the world is only as safe as the user. If you don't install it properly or use it properly each time your child rides in the car, then of course it's not safe.

Consumer Reports recently conducted tests using eleven infant car seats that were rear-facing. They were re-doing the test from the previous year, which had errors. All the seats met governmental test standards when using the LATCH and when attaching them using the seat belt.

(LATCH is an acronym for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.) Once again, the US' system of testing fails to gives us any idea of which were the best and worst performing models.

Consumer Reports recognized this and tried to figure out which were the safest car seats by adding a rating system for Ease of Use and Fit to Vehicle. Both of these will be important factors in a car seat's safety.

If the car seat doesn't fit inside the car properly, you won't be able to install it safely. The harder it is to install the car seat, the more likely you will not fasten the car seat safely and properly.

With these guidelines, Consumer Reports rated the Chicco Key Fit as the best or safest car seat, with the Britax Companion coming in second.

For the Best Buys, Consumer Reports deemed Baby Trend Flex-Loc and Graco SnugRide as having the best value and features for your money.