Aftermarket shades that affix to the inside of the window.When looking for a sun shade, the options include:
You can also read online reviews or post a question about your specific car model. Before ordering, make sure to measure carefully and reach out to the company directly if you have questions. And if your vehicle is especially large or small, you may have difficulty finding a perfect match. The fit will depend not only on the size of your windows, but on the shape as well. If you're on the fence about which shade to choose, Choi recommends asking yourself one simple question: “If I were to bump this against my own head, would it hurt? If it does, best practice is to keep it out of the back seat,” she says.įinally, know that not all sun shades will work for all cars. Know that window tinting or a pre-installed shade is the safest option.When you set up the sun shade, make sure it’s secure, sturdy and not attached to baby’s car seat.Choose a softer material such as a mesh "window sock," static cling film or mesh with static cling backing.
Avoid shades with suction cups, clips or metal bars.“These hard plastic or metal components have been known to cause injuries to children.”įor that reason, here's what to consider when shopping for baby car sun shades: "Sun shades that affix to the window with plastic clips that hook over the glass or suction cups have been known to break or become loose in a sudden stop or crash,” she says. She recommends avoiding anything with large plastic or metal pieces that could become dislodged. "Aftermarket sun shades that affix to the inside of the vehicle window are considered to be in the gray area of safety, depending on their design," says Choi. It’s important for parents to know that just because a product is sold in stores, it does not guarantee the product is 100 percent safe.”Īs mentioned above, one of the biggest concerns is that a removable sun shade can detach in a crash and harm your baby. “While many pieces of crucial baby gear are regulated, such as car seats, the majority of consumer products on the market are unregulated. "Sun shades fall into the unregulated products category,” explains Choi. These products are known in the industry as "aftermarket," which simply means that they aren't manufactured by the same company that made your vehicle or car seat. What to look for in car sun shades for babiesįirst, it's important to know that unlike car seats and strollers, removable baby car sun shades are not subject to rigorous safety tests. New York, for example, requires that 70 percent of the light can pass through most backseat windows, and the tinting must also be looked at during car inspections. If you own an older car, you can also investigate tinting your rear windows, although this can be expensive and the laws about it vary from state to state. If you're in the market for a new car, these features might be worth considering. However, some vehicles come standard with tinted glass for the rear windows, whereas others have integrated mesh sunshades. Of course, once your child moves into a convertible car seat, you won't have a canopy option. If your infant car seat has a canopy, many parents get away with simply pulling it down on sunny days, but this may frustrate curious babies who enjoy looking around. Do I need a baby car sun shade?Ĭar sun shades are definitely not a must-have. Ideally, we want to avoid that 'something' being the child," says Choi. "In a crash, everything in the vehicle will continue to move toward the point of impact until something stops it. The explanation has its roots in physics. “However, during a crash, G-forces are introduced, leading to something seemingly harmless becoming a potentially dangerous projectile.” "During everyday driving, these types of sun shades are typically perceived to be low-risk,” says Holly Choi, a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician-Instructor (CPST-I) at Safer Seats and co-owner of Safe Beginnings First Aid. There are, however, some safety concerns that parents should be aware of when using a baby car sun shade. Sun shades may also help your baby stay a bit cooler and more comfortable, and prevent him from squinting when sunlight gets into his eyes.
#Car window sun reflector skin#
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 50 percent of UVA rays, which contribute to both skin cancer and premature aging, can penetrate glass. A backseat car sun shade, which usually attaches to the rear side window, can be a helpful way to shield your baby from damaging solar rays.
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