Every couple of days an item is sold or shown on this site that could lead to the injury or death of a child.

1. Aftermarket products void your carseat warranty.

2. Aftermarket products have not been crash tested and are not subject to any safety standards.

3. Aftermarket products may not have the same flammability standards.

Here are typical aftermarket products that should not be used under any circumstances:

1. Mighty Tite (seat belt tightener)
2. Head positioners
3. BundleMe - carseat blankets that go between the infant and the carseat. (The JJCole BundleMe is one example.)
4. Strap covers
5. "custom" carseat covers
6. Bunting designed to have the bottom latch pass through the bunting.
7. Piddle pads
8. Bulky clothing like thick winter coats etc. There is a simple way to check for this; adjust your harness straps while child is in thin, normal clothing (such as jeans and a lighter weight sweater). Take your child out and put them in their coat then place them back in the seat. If you have to readjust the harness to get it to buckle, their jacket is too thick. Look for "polar fleece" and other materials that hold heat well but are thin and easily compressed. Certain down jackets may work as well as they look very puffy but will compress very easily. Never loosen the harness to adjust for bulky clothing.

Here are what is okay:
1. Any items that come WITH your carseat (IN THE BOX), such as a head positioner, strap HUGS, "infant insert", etc.
2. Additional covers made by the manufacturer and approved for use with that particular model of carseat. (Check the manual - same brand does not mean it's approved)
3. Bunting that covers the end of the carseat and does not come between the harness and child or harness and seat. (JJ Cole makes a carseat cover that only covers the carseat with elastic to stretch over the sides.)
4. rolled up receiving blankets to position the head, placed to the sides and NOT BEHIND the head.
5. "grippy shelf liner" and "pool noodles" to install a seat correctly, WHEN used correctly. I highly, highly suggest having a CERTIFIED tech go over this with you and not attempting it yourself the first time.

For more information, PLEASE speak with a CPST or check out the following sources:

Detail of what can happen, and was reported on 2 occasions to have led to the serious injury or death of a child: http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/child...00401/menu.htm

http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/aftermarket.aspx
http://www.carsafety4kids.com/aftermarket.html
http://www.safekids.org
http://www.car-seat.org