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CCPC warns consumers to avoid dangerous car seat head straps
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is warning consumers against the use of head straps in children's car seats.
The product safety warning comes after extensive online market surveillance by the CCPC. Through these searches, the CCPC conducted a sweep of 100 product listings and attempted to
obtain the required safety documentation for each product. All 100 listings
were removed as the safety of the products could not be demonstrated.
The products in question were being sold across five online marketplaces: Amazon, Cdiscount, Joom, Shein and Wish. They may be for sale on other platforms or websites.
The head restraint accessory, which is sometimes described as a car seat head strap, a neck protection belt, a head support hugger or a nap aid/sleep holder belt, claims to prevent a child's head from falling forward or sideways if they fall asleep.
However, an investigation by the CCPC's product safety team established that these products are dangerous and could cause serious injuries to a child's spine or neck during a collision or suffocation if the strap slips over the child's nose and mouth, or strangulation if the strap moves down to their neck.
These products have already been recalled in Malta, Germany and Australia. While the number of products sold in Ireland is unknown, the CCPC is issuing a safety warning about the car seat head straps due to the serious risk they pose.
Grainne Griffin, CCPC Director of Communications, said:
"Products like this prey on a parent's basic instinct to protect their child. But instead of making a toddler safer, they put the child much more at risk. If the strap slips down over the child's face or neck, there is a serious risk of suffocation or strangulation.
"CCPC sweeps have led to the removal of 100 product listings across various platforms. However, we're asking the public to remain vigilant and contact us if they see car seat head straps like these being advertised, be it online or in physical stores."
Dr Katharine Harkin, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE Child Health Public Health, said:
"Do not place straps across your child's forehead in a car seat. They claim to prevent your child's head from falling forwards or sideways if they fall asleep. There is no evidence that these products are safe to use.
"Car seats are designed to keep your child as safe as possible while travelling. The safest approach is always to use a properly fitted, appropriate car seat and do not use any additional products. The HSE's mychild.ie has more advice for parents on keeping their child safe while driving and other areas of child safety."
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) does not recommend the use of devices or accessories that are purchased separately from a child's car seat.
Christine Hegarty, Road Safety and Education Manager at RSA, said:
"Child car seats are highly regulated and vigorously tested and are designed to perform and react in a specific way in the event of a collision. Any device that changes that process is dangerous."
Car Seat Safety Advice for Consumers
1. Do not use car seat head straps as they are extremely dangerous.
2. Product add-ons or accessories for car seats should only be used when they have been tested and approved by the car seat manufacturer.
3. Using any other accessories may change the performance of the car seat or introduce other hazards during normal use.
More about Irish Tech News
Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too.
You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news
If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at [email protected] now to discuss.
Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at [email protected] now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience.
...
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By Irish Tech News
2
11 ratings
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is warning consumers against the use of head straps in children's car seats.
The product safety warning comes after extensive online market surveillance by the CCPC. Through these searches, the CCPC conducted a sweep of 100 product listings and attempted to
obtain the required safety documentation for each product. All 100 listings
were removed as the safety of the products could not be demonstrated.
The products in question were being sold across five online marketplaces: Amazon, Cdiscount, Joom, Shein and Wish. They may be for sale on other platforms or websites.
The head restraint accessory, which is sometimes described as a car seat head strap, a neck protection belt, a head support hugger or a nap aid/sleep holder belt, claims to prevent a child's head from falling forward or sideways if they fall asleep.
However, an investigation by the CCPC's product safety team established that these products are dangerous and could cause serious injuries to a child's spine or neck during a collision or suffocation if the strap slips over the child's nose and mouth, or strangulation if the strap moves down to their neck.
These products have already been recalled in Malta, Germany and Australia. While the number of products sold in Ireland is unknown, the CCPC is issuing a safety warning about the car seat head straps due to the serious risk they pose.
Grainne Griffin, CCPC Director of Communications, said:
"Products like this prey on a parent's basic instinct to protect their child. But instead of making a toddler safer, they put the child much more at risk. If the strap slips down over the child's face or neck, there is a serious risk of suffocation or strangulation.
"CCPC sweeps have led to the removal of 100 product listings across various platforms. However, we're asking the public to remain vigilant and contact us if they see car seat head straps like these being advertised, be it online or in physical stores."
Dr Katharine Harkin, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE Child Health Public Health, said:
"Do not place straps across your child's forehead in a car seat. They claim to prevent your child's head from falling forwards or sideways if they fall asleep. There is no evidence that these products are safe to use.
"Car seats are designed to keep your child as safe as possible while travelling. The safest approach is always to use a properly fitted, appropriate car seat and do not use any additional products. The HSE's mychild.ie has more advice for parents on keeping their child safe while driving and other areas of child safety."
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) does not recommend the use of devices or accessories that are purchased separately from a child's car seat.
Christine Hegarty, Road Safety and Education Manager at RSA, said:
"Child car seats are highly regulated and vigorously tested and are designed to perform and react in a specific way in the event of a collision. Any device that changes that process is dangerous."
Car Seat Safety Advice for Consumers
1. Do not use car seat head straps as they are extremely dangerous.
2. Product add-ons or accessories for car seats should only be used when they have been tested and approved by the car seat manufacturer.
3. Using any other accessories may change the performance of the car seat or introduce other hazards during normal use.
More about Irish Tech News
Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too.
You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news
If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at [email protected] now to discuss.
Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at [email protected] now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience.
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