Commission warns about 'dangerous' car seat head straps for children

This head-restraint accessory is sometimes referred to as a car seat head strap, a neck protection belt, a head support hugger, or a nap aid/sleep holder belt. File picture

Parents have been warned against using car seat head straps for their children, as these “dangerous” products could cause serious spine or neck injuries and even suffocation or strangulation.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) issued the warning about the products on Thursday. It said they were being sold across online marketplaces Amazon, Cdiscount, Joom, Shein, and Wish.

The move from the consumer watchdog was backed by both the HSE and the Road Safety Authority. “Do not place straps across your child’s forehead in a car seat,” said HSE consultant in public health medicine Dr Katharine Harkin.

“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.” 

The watchdog said it conducted “extensive market surveillance” into the products, and conducted a sweep of 100 product listings in order to obtain the required safety documentation for each of them. All 100 of these listings were subsequently removed as the safety of the products could not be demonstrated.

This head-restraint accessory is sometimes referred to as a car seat head strap, a neck protection belt, a head support hugger, or a nap aid/sleep holder belt. The CCPC said the products all claim to prevent a child’s head from falling forwards or sideways if they fall asleep.

An investigation from its product safety team found these products could cause a range of issues, including “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”.

The products have been recalled in Malta, Germany, and Australia. The CCPC said it does not know how many such products were sold in Ireland, but had decided to issue a warning about the threats they pose.

“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.”

In advice for consumers, the CCPC told them not to use car seat head straps in any circumstance. It also said that product add-ons or accessories for car seats should only be used when they have been tested and approved by the car seat manufacturer.

The watchdog said using any other accessories may change the performance of the car seat or introduce other hazards during normal use. The RSA reiterated the call not to use devices or accessories  purchased separately from a child’s car seat.

Road safety and education manager Christine Hegarty 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.”