An Important Announcement Re: First Year's Car Shade

While I see "some" wisdom in the suction cup as a flying object - I
think we should be far more worried about half pound cell phones,
sippy cups, etc - than a 2oz soft pastic suction cup.

When will we stop worrying about all the little things and start
enjoying our children instead of worrying about them to the point of
obsession.

Erika, I see your point and agree it "could" be a hazard. But to tell
First Years they need to notify consumers about the least heavy object
that is probably free floating in their car is a bit much. I mean do
we strap our diaper bags in with a seat belt? Or is a ten pund diaper
bag less of a hazard?

Just food for thought from a father who is tired of all the stuff we
get - and no I didn't look up this informtion it was sent to me.

No disrespect intended, but let's all relax just a bit
R. Cannon

Wow, I was thinking, "good post!" until I read all the responses.
Obviously, I didn't think things through much like the rest of you.
Of course, you're all correct about that shade being the least of the
flying objects in a car should one be involved in an accident.

I suppose the lesson here is to (1) keep your car as free of
debris/flotsam/jetsam as possible, (2) drive defensively, (3) buy a
good carseat and learn how to properly install it in your car
(hospitals and police/fire departments often have short
classes/lessons on this.

But kudos anyway to the OP for taking the time to share a warning she
learned by going to the hospital to learn how to properly install an
infant car seat.

If a little rubber suction cup is a safety hazard, that hard plastic
sippy cup is sure death! I don't think I would worry much about that
little rubber suction cup.
That unit is probably affiliated with the Highway Patrol. They're just
making it a hazard because they hate not being able to see into our
cars!

While I agree with you that the shade could be a potential hazard, as
another responder mentioned, just about ANYTHING in your car could
become a hazard in an accident. There is just no reliable way to
predict what will be OK and what will be a problem.

My uncle was involved in a head on collision between his Camaro and an
F350 King Cab (no contest there - the truck won) My uncle's car was
so mangled that he was pinned under the steering wheel, the sun visor
dangling precariously over his head. The EMT's on the scene told us
that based on how he was positioned after the accident, that stupid
little sun visor could have been responsible for decapitating him if
it had come lose during the impact.

Now I know thats a pretty graphic example, but what is the answer?
Tell GM not to install visors in their cars any more?? Not likely.

Even though we trust companies to manufacture items that are safe for
everyone to use - there still has to be a level of precaution on the
part of the consumer. If you look at the PFB Forum today, there is a
new user who is apparently a guru on innovation telling us all not
just to complain about the problem, but to offer up a solution to it.


If the suction cups don't work and you want to keep the sun out of
your babies' eyes, what's another idea? Maybe use a piece of dark
vinyl cling (similar to holiday window decorations) that won't hurt
anyone if it comes loose?

Sorry, for such a long response, but I too am a bit weary of the
people who just whine and don't have any suggestions for how to make
it better.

what about all the stuff you have in the back of a minivan or SUV?
Your stroller that is back can become a huge propellant. There are
lots of things like that and the shade is probably the least of your
problems. It is good that the carseat people made you think about it,
but you also need to think about the much larger things that are in
the vehicle too.

Boy, I never knew that. It's nice of you to let people know about
that.

I wonder how many kids have been hurt because of that.
The thought is scary.

Thanks for a very informative post! I once got hit in the leg by a
box of tissues that became a flying object during a car accident.
Cut/bruised me up pretty good, so I can only imagine what a shade
could do!

I never used shades to protect from sunburn - I used them because
sleepy babies fuss so much when the sun shines in their eyes. The
shades never worked for me, though, because curious little ones start
pulling on them and *pop*, down they come! :o) So whenever I had an
emergency sun issue, I'd stop and tape a receiving blanket to the
inside of the window, and continue on my merry way....