Hanging Mirror in Car - SAFE?

Hi, R....I am M.. I am a Child Passenger Safety Technicain/Instructor (CPSTI) and have something to say about the mirror in the car. Any product you add to your car or car seat that does not come with said car or car seat are known to be "non regulated" products. These products can make claims that they are "tested" and "safe" but they are not regulated by any government agency. When the companies say their products are "tested" this could mean in someone's garage...you never know! In a car collision, I might be concerned with the mirror being able to remain secured. Even something as benign as a Kleenex box can cause injury to a passenger when a crash occurs. Most of these mirrors are secured by velcro or a strap. Crash forces are more severe than we might think, so it might be an issue in the event of a crash. Ultimately, of course, you as the mom need to make the final decision. I will say other non regulated products casue me more concern, but in my CPSTI community, we do not recommend them. My best, M.

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R.,

I am a marketing manager for a global comsumer products company that makes many automotive accessories. Very large consumer products companies strictly test their products (officially regulated products or not). If you are going to purchase a child mirror for your vehicle, go with a brand that you see often in either baby items or auto accessories aisles. These higher profile companies test much more strictly for 2 reasons- 1- protection from frivilous lawsuits and 2- they are not looking for a quick buck. They want to have quality products in the market place because people will have a good experience with their products and remain loyal customers. This is not to say that there is not a element of risk. They can still become projectiles if not installed properly. For that matter, anything inside or outside a vehicle can become a random projectile in an accident.

I had mirrors in my car for both of my boys and had no problems. You should just go with your gut on this one. I'm sure it won't let you down.

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Hi-
I have the musical FP rainforest mirror and my son LOVES it! Also, it is not a safety hazard if you use the strap included to attach it to the headrest. It has been in my car with all of my carseat installations at the CHP and they don't consider it a projectile b/c it is secured.

Anya

When we went to the CHP to have our car seat installed they made us take the rainforest mirror out. They said it wasn't safe.

this mirror has been a lifesaver - my daughter loves the music and thinks it's so funny when I look back and she can see me. She is now 1yr. True - they say these mirrors are dangerous but so is almost everything you buy for you baby in one way or another. It just depends on if you want her screaming in the back distracting you while you drive to cause an accident OR using the mirror to distract her so you can pay attention to the road. Just make sure it's secure to the headrest so it doesn't fly off if you do, god forbid, get in a fender bender.

The experts say the best mirrors are the ones that latch to the child safety latch behind the seat, this way they do not have the potential to become a projectile in a car crash.

In all of our chilbirth prep classes we were told not to use these. They said if you get in an accident it will become a projectile so even if it is not heavy or big if it is in an accident going say at 60 mph it can become very dangerous. Same reason you are not supposed to put hanging toys on carseat handles. Makes sense to me. : )

If you have concerns that it's not safe why are you using it?

Hi R.,
I don't have this particular product, but I do have the Baby Einstein and it definitely helps entertain an angry traveler. I know that so many people have warned you against these products, and I certainly understand why, but it's my feeling that a screaming baby is also a hazard. So you need to decide what the bigger risk is.
Best,
S. G.

Hi R.-
Being in law enforcement myself and having my car seat inspected by CHP, I have never felt that the rainforest mirror from Fisher Price I had was a danger for my daughter. Anything in your vehicle is a hazard if you were to become involved in an accident.

I had the rainforest mirror also and it is securely attached. It has the velcro and the clip for attachemnt. Plus it is a plastic mirror, not glass. It kept my daughter entertained for 7-8 months and helped me keep my sanity because she would cry hysterically in her carseat for 2-3 months. I was very thankful for this mirror to keep her from crying and not keep me distracted while driving.

Good luck...! The music does suck though. It stopped playing after 10 days and even after a battery change.

CHP says no hanging toys of any kind, the infant car seat hand bar isn't supposed to be up at all while the car is moving.

The only thing I can think of, is that it might be unsafe in an accident or if you have to slam on the breaks real hard for some reason, since it might come off and go flying at your daughter. If it's attached really well then I guess there should be no problem (I've never actually see this particular product, so I don't know how it attaches or how safe it actually is...)
Good luck :)

According to all experts all after market items-- i.e. mirrors, snugglers even toys are dangerous in the car. If you were to go to CHP to help install the car seat they would recommend against having anything other than the car seat in the back seat with your baby. The officer that I met with explained that during a car accident the force of the impact combined with the weight of the item can be dangerous even deadly. I had a small soft ball in the car that had a bell (taggie ball) inside and he even warned me that this item could be dangerous, honestly my son had a terrible time in the car and I explained the situation he did say that of all toys this probably would be the safest because it was soft. He told me that he sad seen car accidents where a penny shattered a window on impact. I tell this not to scare you but just to educate. In the end it is your choice what to place in your car. I felt it wasn't worth it! Good Luck with your choice.

I use it & I love being able to glimpse at my son--he hates the car, too, and it keeps him distracted. It's pretty secure, so I wouldn't worry about it detaching. It can obscure your view, so make sure you take the time to adjust it perfectly.

Anything not securely attached could become a projectile if you have an accident. The mirror would most likely hit your child if that happened.

Hi R....we had something like this for all of our kids when they were babies and were sitting facing backwards...it attached to the back of the seat by straps and Velcro, so it wasn't hanging, and there were no hanging toys attached to it. It had music and lights that I was able to control from the front seat via a remote control. My kids loved it! It gave them something to look at and they loved the music. I never worried about safety issues...mostly because I knew our car seats/infant carriers were installed correctly and it made car trips much more enjoyable for all...

Good luck!!

It is totally safe. We use it and it is great for ust o eb able to see our little baby boy and he like sto look at it and the animals too.