SAFETY RISKS TO AVOID Harness Strap Covers
Harness strap covers are covers that wrap around the harness at the child’s shoulders. Using the aftermarket harness strap covers can prevent proper placement of the chest clip. The chest clip must be level with the child’s underarm to ensure the harness straps stay in place over the child’s shoulders.
Car Seat & Seat Belt
Aftermarket Products
Seat Belt Adjusters
Seat belt adjusters are often used to pull the shoulder portion of the seat belt away from the child’s face, but in the process pull the lap belt up on the child’s soft abdomen. During a collision, the placement of the lap belt can cause serious injury to the child. If there is a need to re-configure the seat belt assembly, it may indicate the child should be in a booster seat.
To ensure the safety of your child in a car seat, ALWAYS read your car seat instructions and vehicle manual. It is best to refer to your car seat instructions before using any accessories or aftermarket products.
Add-on Trays
Add-on trays are products that are used with forward facing restraints and booster seats. These products may include a footrest and a hard plastic tray. Head or other injuries can occur during a collision or sudden stop if any hard objects are placed in front of a child. Use of these products are a safety risk.
Compromising Your Child’s Safety
Information adapted from “Consumer Information Notice: Third Party Aftermarket Products for Children’s Restraint Systems”, Transport Canada, 2004.
Layout Formatting: Linda Mikado, RN, BN Distribution: The Southern Alberta Vehicle Restraint Committee
Bulky Snowsuits SAFETY RISKS TO AVOID WHAT ARE AFTERMARKET PRODUCTS? Padded Car Seat Liners/ Bags
Aftermarket products are items that have been added to an infant or child car seat that were not supplied with the car seat by the manufacturer. Aftermarket products are not regulated by any federal standard and have not been tested or certified by car seat manufacturers. Using car seat liners can re-route the harness system and interfere with the harness straps fitting properly. The extra padding behind the child can compress in a collision and add slack to the harness, increasing the chances of a child being ejected from the car seat. Bulky snowsuits can add too much slack to the car seat harness. During a collision, the snowsuit can compress thereby adding more slack to the harness and increase the risk of a child being ejected from the car seat. As well, many snowsuits are made of slippery material; this may also affect the harness system fitting snug.
Additional Padding Behind the Child
Any extra padding such as blankets or positioning devices placed behind the child can interfere with proper tightening of the harness. The extra padding can compress during a collision, adding extra slack to the harness and increase the risk of a child being ejected from the car seat.
WHAT DO CAR SEAT MANUFACTURERS SAY?
The following statements were found
WARNINGS section of under the various car seat instructions: Century or Graco Models: • “DO NOT MODIFY YOUR INFANT RESTRAINT AND BASE or use any accessories or parts supplied by other manufacturers” • “DO NOT use accessories or parts
Head Support Cushions/ Head Huggers
Head support cushions supplied with the car seat at the time of purchase are considered safe to use as the product has been tested by the manufacturer. The slots in an aftermarket head support cushion may not line up with the slots in the car seat and may interfere with the harness straps fitting properly. Re-routing the harness system to use an aftermarket head support may add slack to the straps and increase the risk of a child being ejected from the car seat.
Mobiles or Toys
Mobiles or toys are commonly hung from the handle of rear facing infant car seats to amuse the child while travelling in a vehicle. If these mobiles or toys are made of hard plastic, they could injure a child during a collision. Handles in the upright position have broken in collisions resulting in injury to the child. Car seat manufacturers usually recommend the handle of the rear facing car seat be placed in the down position while traveling in a vehicle. It is best to refer to the car seat instructions.
other than those provided by Century or GRACO. Their use could alter the performance of the car seat” For all manufacturers, refer to car seat instructions under the warnings section for similar statements. Some manufacturers also state use of aftermarket products may void their products’ warranty.