Ireland’s consumer watchdog has ordered websites including Amazon and Shein to take down listings for child seat head straps over safety concerns.
In all, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) demanded 100 listings for head straps be removed from shopping sites Amazon, Cdiscount, Joom, Shein and Wish.
“All 100 listings were removed as the safety of the products could not be demonstrated”, the CCPC said.
The CCPC said head restraints were very dangerous and could cause children serious injury in the event of an accident.
“The head restraint accessory, which is sometimes described as a car seat head strap, a neck protection belt, head support hugger or a nap aid/sleep holder belt, claims to prevent a child’s head from falling forwards or sideways if they fall asleep.
However, an investigation by the CCPC’s product safety team established that these products are dangerous and could cause 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”, CCPC said.
A number of countries including Malta, Germany and Australia have ordered that head straps be withdrawn from sale, according to the CCPC.
Dr Katharine Harkin, Consultant in Public Health Medicine for Health Service Executive (HSE) Child Health urged parents and guardians not to use the straps.
“Do not place straps across your child’s forehead in a car seat. 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.
“Car seats are designed to keep your child as safe as possible while travelling. The safest approach is always to use a properly fitted, appropriate car seat and do not use any additional products”, she advised.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) also advised to use car seats as the were originally intended.
“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”, said the RSA’s Christine Hegarty, Road Safety and Education Manager.
“Any device that changes that process is dangerous.”
Of the 100 listings taken down, 74 were removed because the seller did not provide a “designated legal entity” in Europe as required under EU law.
The European Union requires all online sellers to include a contact point – a so-called Responsible Person (RP) – within the EU to confirm that their products comply with EU safety regulations.
In a further 12 listings, the seller’s RP “provided unsatisfactory documentation or no documentation at all”, the CCPC said.
The HSE provides advice on car seats and child safety on its website: mychild.ie