Now your child can have a warm seat too. Sunshine Kids Seat Warmer is perfect for an older child in cold winter travel for use on boosters or vehicle seat. Plugs into any vehicle 12v socket. Automatic 7 minute shut off to avoid overheating. Water resistant fabric. Extnded cord to plug into front of vehicle.
Sunshine Kids Seat Warmer features:
- Easy on/off switch makes it easy for children 4 and up to use
- Automatic shut off prevents overheating by turning off after 7 minutes
- Fabric is water resitant and repels liquids
- Extended cord allows plug in at front of vehicle
First off, let's just say this product was never intended for a 5-point harness car seat. There would be too many risks when using it for any child under 4, and in a 5-point harness.
Although I really get the concept, and let's face it, who doesn't really love a seat warmer??? But before you use it, let's take a look at a few things. Whenever you add something to a car seat, use after market products, or put anything in your car, you are always adding a level of risk. For instance, a simple CD in the car could become a potential hazard in a crash.
- cords: children love to play with them and pull at them. I'm not sure if it's a great idea to have, even an older child, on something that has a cord long enough to get strangled in. You have to think about the child right next to this in the other car seat as well - can your younger child reach the cord and potentially injure himself? In a crash, do you want this extra cord flying around the car?
- extra heat: even a 7 minute auto shut off seems too long for kids.
- after market product: I've mentioned it before, anytime you add anything to a car seat, even a booster, your adding an extra element, an extra risk. It's also an electrical devise. Do you want your child sitting on that?
If you make the decision to use one, please use it wisely. If your 4 year old is still in a 5-point harness, don't use this product!! Never ever in any 5-point harness. Understand the maturity of your child. Read the manual! Know the risks, talk about it with your child and help him/her understand that this is not a toy. Be very aware of the temperature in the vehicle - younger kids may push the limit as to how hot they become, especially if it's brand new to them (they might like to play with it!)
I know they call it the "Car Seat Warmer", but personally, I wouldn't recommend it even in a booster. I would recommend waiting until your child is old enough, big enough, and mature enough to be in a regular seat and seat belt.
Please remember - a booster seat is still a car seat.
