Add-on Products for Car Seats, Booster Seats, and Seat Belts

What are add-on products? Are they safe to use?

There are a number of reasons why add-on products are not safe to use. Some products, like bunting bags and add-on head support pads, can make the harness straps loose because they put extra bulky fabric between the harness straps and your baby's body. If the harness straps are loose, a baby may come out of the car seat in a crash. This could cause a baby to be badly hurt or killed.

Add-on products are sometimes called aftermarket products. They are products that did not come with the car seat or booster seat when you bought it but can be added onto the seat or seat belt.

Here is a list of some examples of add-on products:

Head support pads (that did not come with the car seat when you bought it)
Bunting bags
Seat belt adjusters
Attachable plastic trays
Harness strap covers
Attachable mirrors

Other products, like attachable mirrors and plastic trays, are not safe because your child could hit against them in a crash or sudden stop. This could cause serious injury.

Remember this important rule:

only use products that came with the car seat or booster seat when you bought it. For example, it is safe to use a head support pad that came in the box with your baby's rear facing infant carseat.

What is a seat belt adjuster? Can I use a seat belt adjuster instead of a booster seat?

A seat belt adjuster clips onto the seat belt to keep the seat belt off a child's face and neck. But seat belt adjusters have not been tested for safety. They can put children at more risk for injuries.

Fore more information on seat belt adjusters and other products that are not safe to use with car seats and booster seats go to Transport Canada's website at:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/safedrivers/childsafety/index.htm

If the seat belt touches your child's face or neck, your child needs a booster seat.

For more safety information visit SafeKidsCanada.ca

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