Some aftermarket products can cause safety issues ranging from inducing
slack in the shoulder harness system to adding compressible material
behind the child, which during a crash will allow for slackness in the
harness system. The resulting slack in the harness may cause the child
to be either partially or fully ejected from the restraint system, in
the event of a crash or sudden stop. In other instances, the third-party
aftermarket product may position a hard surface in front of a child that
could pose an injury to the child should the child make contact with it in
the event of a crash. When choosing one of these products it is always
advisable to first check with the car seat manufacturer concerning
safety issues that may be posed with the use of the product.
The following is a summary of some of the more common products:
Harness Strap Covers: These covers wrap around the shoulder
harness system of the restraint. These products can prevent the chest
clip from being positioned at the armpit level of the child. The chest
clip is required at this position to ensure that the harness straps stay
in place holding the child in the restraint in the event of a crash or
sudden stop. Without the chest clip located at the proper place on the
child’s body, there is an increased risk of the child being ejected.
In addition, some of the harness covers available have hard teething
products velcroed onto them. The addition of hard objects is not
recommended as they can injure the child in the event of a crash or
sudden stop.
![Child restraint with aftermarket strap covers.](/web/20071125153131im_/http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/childsafety/notices/Dser/d200401/images/Image4.gif)
![Harness strap covers.](/web/20071125153131im_/http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/childsafety/notices/Dser/d200401/images/Image5.gif)
Add-on Trays: These products that add-on to forward-facing
restraints and booster cushions may incorporate a footrest and a hard
plastic tray. The unit is attached to the restraint system by the weight
of the restraint and the occupant resting on the device. Any hard object
placed in front of a child may result in a head injury should a crash or
sudden stop occur.
![Add-on tray.](/web/20071125153131im_/http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/childsafety/notices/Dser/d200401/images/Image6.gif)
Head Support Cushions: If the manufacturer incorporates a head support cushion with the restraint system, then the manufacturer has tested it for that model and make of restraint. Should a head support cushion that is purchased separately be used, then it is possible that the slots in the head support cushion may not line up with the slots in the restraint for the harness system. By re-routing the harness system to accommodate the aftermarket head support cushion, slack may be induced into the harness system, which may increase the likelihood of ejection from the car seat in the event of a crash.
![Head hugger](/web/20071125153131im_/http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/childsafety/notices/Dser/d200401/images/Image7.gif)
Additional Padding Behind the Child: Any additional padding
behind the child can induce both slack in the harness and additional
compressibility. The Standard, which regulates children’s restraint
systems, only allows for a certain amount of compressibility in the foam
and material used. By increasing this amount, during a collision the
additional foam/material can compress to the point that the harness
system becomes very loose and therefore no longer is capable of
restraining the child.
![Additional padding in a child seat.](/web/20071125153131im_/http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/childsafety/notices/Dser/d200401/images/Image8.gif)
Padded Car Seat Bags: Child seat manufacturers state in their
instructions not to use bulky clothing and never add anything between
the shell of the restraint and the child. The padded car seat bag can
re-route the harness system and add slack and increase compressibility.
Check with the car seat manufacturer before using and ensure that the
product does not compromise the harness routing path.
![Padded car seat bag.](/web/20071125153131im_/http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/childsafety/notices/Dser/d200401/images/Image9.gif)
Mobiles: Mobiles are becoming common as they keep the child
occupied during road trips. These products normally hang from the handle
of a rear-facing infant restraint. If these mobiles are constructed of a
hard plastic, during a collision they could injure the child. Normally
the car seat manufacturer recommends that the handle of the restraint be
in the down position while traveling in a vehicle. Check your car seat
instructions before using.
Other Issues Associated with Children Traveling in a Vehicle:
Winter Clothing: Bulky snowsuits can affect the harness with
respect to additional compressibility. In addition, many snowsuits are
made of very slippery material. This can affect the harness system
should the chest clip of the restraint not be used properly. When using
bulky winter clothing ensure that the harness system is tight,
compressing the material to ensure a snug fit. Check with the car seat
manufacturer for alternative methods of clothing during the winter.
![Baby in a snow suit](/web/20071125153131im_/http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/childsafety/notices/Dser/d200401/images/Image10.gif)
Seat Belt Adjusters: Third-party aftermarket seat belt
adjusters have become very common. Many of these products pull the
shoulder portion and the lap portion of the seat belt together. This
tends to pull the shoulder portion of the seat belt off the face of the
child but normally pulls the lap portion of the seat belt up onto the
soft abdominal area. In the event of collision, the location of the lap
belt can cause serious injury or death to the occupant. There are other
types of adjusters available, all of which are designed to pull the
shoulder belt away from the face of a child and all of which change the
configuration of the lap belt. If an aftermarket product is required to
re-configure the seat belt assembly to sit over the shoulder and low on
the hips, then the child should probably be in a booster cushion.
![Seat belt adjuster (2)](/web/20071125153131im_/http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/childsafety/notices/Dser/d200401/images/Image12.gif)
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