What a GREAT idea! but is it safe?

[lestyrox]

Found this on ebay..

<link removed>

Its such a great idea! i actaully said to my husband a few months back that i thought it was strange that no one had invented something like this as it would make travelling with a toddler SO much easier! There goes my multimillion dollar idea lol

So anyway it looks as if its a very new product and isn't available in Australia yet (at least i don't think it is?) so it wouldn't adhere to Australian safety standards because it hasn't been tested here yet... so do you think i should buy it? Its very tempting as we're moving house in 4weeks and will be in the car for 3+ hours and this would be great for my 2yr old...it looks as though its just made from firm material so therefore wouldn't pose a risk of snapping or breaking off and hurting bub in the event of an accident (heaven forbid) so it looks quite safe to me..
what do you think?

[Danni]

Wow that looks awesome and I would love to get one for DS! I wonder what everyone else thinks of safety wise?

[Liz]

Yeah, I'd worry about what would happen in an accident myself. I guess research the item and safety even if it's US standards or whatever, just to see what it says.

I've found 3hr trips very doable, my kids usually sleep for half of it, and the rest is easily filled in by eating and singing! hehe.

Also keep in mind that giving them too much to do in the car could make them carsick (if they're prone) which is why I don't give my kids books or colouring or anything in the car. Both DH & I suffered car sickness as kids, so we don't wanna risk it hehe. Kids haven't been sick yet tho, so no idea if they're prone or not LOL.

I think you can get things to hang off the back of the front seat which can hold their books and stuff too if you're worried about the safety of having something in front of him like that one you're looking at.

[lestyrox]

Thank Liz, i think i'll have a good search on google and see what i can find..its looks pretty good, i guess i'd be a bit worried that it might be harder to get DS out of the carseat in a hurry if there was an accident.. i didn't know you could buy tray for the backs of the front seats whereabouts would i find them?

I've been on a few trips with Ds (one 7hour trip which was a NIGHTMARE!) his grandma and grandpa live 4 hours away so we've done that trip a few times and he definitely needs lots of toys and activities to entertain him. He definitlely wouldn't sleep unless he was absolutelty exhausted..i've been blessed with very energetic boys so something like this would definitely make life easier.
I just emailed the seller and asked them what its made out of as that would make a big difference safety wise...if its just firm foam/material then i think that's ok...will let you know what they say

[lestyrox]

found this on the product website..

Starr Kids Snack & Play Travel Tray was created out of necessity for today's children, and enhances the travel experience by providing a flat, safe area for children to eat and play. Made of soft, durable, 100% Nylon with soft foam reinforcement that folds on impact. It buckles either around the child, car seat, stroller, etc. Features two side pockets and a 2 inch wall to stop toys, food, etc from falling off the tray. 18 x 14 inches, folds to 14 x 9 x 3.5 to store in it's zippered storage case, included. Weighs 1lb, 2oz

think i'll buy it, i reckon it wont be long till they're available here in Australia and they look pretty safe to me

[[M]umma[M]ia]

yeh im also worried what would happen in an accident. Its good to keep them entertained but i wouldnt put it in my car personally.

[~Trish~]

It looks pretty safe in that it's soft so in the even of an accident and your child was thrown forward they probably couldn't injure themselves on it. I would only be concerned about being able to get your DS out of the car seat quickly if you did have an accident or emergency. If you were incapacitated, would an emergency worker/bystander know how to remove the toy to be able to get him out?

It is definitely a worse case scenario, but something worth thinking about anyway.

I agree, it looks like a great idea though!

[Liz]

Thank Liz, i think i'll have a good search on google and see what i can find..its looks pretty good, i guess i'd be a bit worried that it might be harder to get DS out of the carseat in a hurry if there was an accident.. i didn't know you could buy tray for the backs of the front seats whereabouts would i find them?

Not a tray, just a hanging pockets kinda thing. I -think- I've seen them anyway LOL. I know you can get actual toys.. like steering wheels with all the bells & whistles to go on the back of the front seat so they think they're driving hehe.

[lestyrox]

oops so sorry guys, i didn't realise i wasn't allowed to post that link.. silly me should have read the rules

[Ezz]

You can get the hanging pockets thing at junk shops - goes on the back of the front seats.

We have the fisher price tray table (which is like a soft version of a stable table, but it clips onto the seat) - DS hates having it on his legs - so we don't use it much.