Article brought to us by Ovoko website
Everyday items designed for comfort may actually put your children at risk
Key Points:
- Car expert reveals five popular accessories that could endanger children by interfering with built-in safety systems
- Items include seat belt adjusters, aftermarket covers, sunshades, clip-on fans, and headrest pillows that may seem harmless but pose hidden risks
- Expert explains how these accessories can weaken restraint systems and create projectile hazards during crashes
When parents buckle their children into the car, they tend to trust that every safety feature is working as it should. But some of the most popular car accessories, items which are bought with the best intentions, could actually be putting kids in danger.
Aftermarket products can often interfere with the safety systems that manufacturers spend years testing. These accessories might make journeys more comfortable, but they can also weaken restraints, alter crash-tested fits, or turn into projectiles during sudden stops.
Kazimieras Urbonas, Supplier Excellence Manager at Ovoko, one of Europe’s largest online marketplaces for used car parts, frequently sees the consequences of these issues firsthand.
“Parents don’t realize that adding something as simple as a seat belt adjuster can completely change how a restraint system performs in a crash,” he says. “Such products aren’t tested alongside the vehicle’s safety features, and that’s where the danger lies.”
Below, Urbonas explains which everyday accessories could be putting your children at risk, and why you should think twice before using them.
The 5 Accessories You Should Remove From Your Car Today
1. Seat Belt Adjusters
These small clips promise to stop seat belts from rubbing against children’s necks, but they can be deadly. Seat belt adjusters reposition the shoulder strap, which changes how the belt distributes force during a collision.
“When a seat belt is moved out of position, it can’t do its job properly,” warns Urbonas. “In a crash, the belt might ride up over a child’s face or slip off their shoulder entirely. What seems like a comfort fix can turn into a life-threatening problem.”
Manufacturers design seat belts to sit in specific positions for maximum protection. Moving them even slightly can mean the difference between a child being safely restrained or suffering serious injuries.
2. Aftermarket Car Seat Covers
Puffy, quilted seat covers might look cozy, but they create a dangerous layer between your child and their car seat’s harness system. These covers compress during impact, leaving too much slack in the straps.
“Car seats are crash-tested without these extra layers,” Urbonas explains. “When you add a thick cover, you’re essentially loosening the harness without realizing it. In an accident, a child could slip right through those straps.”
The padding also prevents the harness from lying flat against a child’s body, which is how it’s designed to work. If you can pinch the harness strap, it’s too loose, and aftermarket covers almost always cause this problem.
3. Windscreen Suction Sunshades
Those cute sunshades with cartoon characters might protect your child from glare, but they become dangerous projectiles in a crash. Anything not permanently attached to your vehicle can fly through the cabin during sudden braking or collision.
“We’ve seen cases where these items have caused injuries,” says Urbonas. “A plastic sunshade might not seem heavy, but when it’s traveling at the speed your car was going before impact, it can hit with tremendous force.”
Built-in sun visors and window shades that clip onto door frames are safer alternatives. If something must be in your car, it should be secured properly, not held in place by a suction cup that can pop off at any moment.
4. Clip-On Fans
Battery-powered fans that clip onto headrests seem like a brilliant solution for hot summer journeys. However, these devices have hard plastic components and spinning blades that can cause injuries during accidents.
“The fan itself becomes a projectile, and those rotating blades can cut skin on impact,” Urbonas points out. “Even if the fan is switched off, the rigid mounting clip can strike a child’s head during a collision.”
These fans are also positioned close to children’s faces, which makes them particularly dangerous. Using your car’s air conditioning system, even if it takes longer to cool down, is always the safer choice.
5. Headrest Pillows
Travel pillows designed to support children’s heads during sleep actually push their heads forward, out of the protective zone created by the car seat or vehicle seat. This forward position increases the risk of neck injuries during crashes.
“A child’s head needs to stay in contact with the seat back,” explains Urbonas. “When you add a pillow, you’re moving their head several inches forward. That might not sound like much, but in a crash, it can make a huge difference to how their neck and spine cope with the impact.”
Many of these pillows also have hard plastic clips or buckles that can cause injuries. Car seats already provide adequate head support when installed correctly, so additional pillows are unnecessary and dangerous.
Kazimieras Urbonas, Supplier Excellence Manager at Ovoko, commented:
“The problem with aftermarket accessories is that they’re not part of the original safety testing. Car manufacturers spend years and millions developing restraint systems that work together as a complete package. When you introduce an accessory that wasn’t included in those tests, you’re gambling with your child’s safety.
“Parents assume that if something is being sold for cars, it must be safe to use. Unfortunately, that’s not always true. A lot of these products aren’t regulated, and sellers aren’t required to prove they won’t interfere with safety features.
“The best approach is to stick with what came with your vehicle or car seat, as those components have been tested extensively and are designed to protect your children in the worst-case scenario.”
About Ovoko
Ovoko is one of Europe’s largest online marketplaces for used car parts, connecting over 4,000 auto dismantlers, recyclers, and sellers with car dealers, mechanics, and enthusiasts. With more than 23 million parts available, Ovoko offers fast delivery across Europe, a 14-day money-back guarantee, and tools that help scrapyards go digital. Founded in 2016, the platform supports a circular economy by giving auto parts a second life, reducing waste, and modernizing a traditionally offline industry. Headquartered in Lithuania with teams across Europe, Ovoko combines eCommerce, inventory management, and logistics into one powerful solution for sustainable automotive trade.
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