Objectives. To measure the required reading level of a sample of child safety seat (CSS) installation instructions and to compare readability levels among different prices of CSSs to determine whether the lower cost seats to which low-income parents have greater access are written to a lower level of education.
Methods. A CD-ROM containing CSS installation instructions was obtained from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Pricing information was obtained for available models from an Internet-based company that provides comparative shopping information. Paper copies of the instruction sets were generated, and their readability levels were determined using the SMOG test. A second rater was used in addition to the primary investigator to assess interrater reliability of the SMOG as applied to the instruction sets.
Results. The readability of instruction sets ranged from the 7th- to 12th-grade levels, with an overall mean SMOG score of 10.34. No significant associations were found to exist between readability and seat prices; this was observed whether the data were treated as continuous or categorical.
Conclusions. CSS instruction manuals are written at a reading level that exceeds the reading skills of most American consumers. These instruction sets should be rewritten at a lower reading level to encourage the proper installation of CSSs.
It is true that the common misuse rate for CSS is a national concern and obviously individuals are installing these CSS incorrectly because they are lacking awareness in proper CSS installation. I am very interested in conducting further research on the effectiveness of instruction labels because there is clearly an issue with the level of which these instructions are written.
Conflict of Interest:
None declared
Child safety seats are utilized incorrectly approximately 80% of the time. Although the product's design is probably the biggest contributor to this problem, we wanted to explore whether the instructions that came with them could also be improved. To that end, we tested how readable the instructions were. Using a standardized test, that is based in large part on the number of polysyllabic words the instructions contained,we found that the instructions were written at a level that is not compatible with the abilities of a large proportion of American parents. To illustrate how a material's reading level can be reduced, we provided examples of how short words can often be substituted for longer words. We noted that any intended improvements should be tested for their impact.
Mr. Alexander noted that the instructions that accompany many products are difficult to understand. He is correct, but that is no justification for allowing this state of affairs to continue. We focused on car seats because they have proven effective in preventing a large proportion of motor vehicle crash deaths, which are the leading cause of death for children in our country.
Mr. Alexander's suggestion of telling parents where they might go to get expert assistance if they are having trouble installing their car seat is something that could be tried and tested. It relies on people knowing that they are not installing the seat correctly however. There are also data to suggest that adults who can't read well try to hide their lack of skills. Nonetheless, he should feel free to pass his idea on to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration since they oversee regulation of shild safety seat manufacturers.
Dr. Deborah Girasek
It is certain that the language used in child safety seat instructions is difficult to understand. This is true of the instructions needed to operate a lot of potrentially dangerous things like cars, bikes and hedge trimmers. A single error in assembling or using any of the above could have tragic consequences.
The language in instructions tends to be legalistic, precise and formal. In a letigious society, informallanguage is hardly an option. Imprecise leads to confision. You suggest substituting "crash" for "collision." "Crash" has many meanings. "Collision" is much more precise.
Here is one suggested revision which might serve the interests of all. It is simple.
"If these instructions are confusing, please ask someone you know for help in understanding them. Or ask for assistance at a police station."
We all need help from time to time regardless of our reading level. The other day, I had to ask a mechanic how to install a windshield wiper blade. This was not because I cannot read at the 12th grade level. I asked because he had done it many times before and I was a novice who couldn't quite grasp what turned out to be a pretty simple process.