Car seats are one of the most important pieces of baby gear we ever buy. We all know car seats are best for protecting your child in the event of a collision! (In fact, a properly used car seat can reduce the chance of harm by up to 82%!) All car seats have to pass the same government-regulated crash tests in order to be on the market, so no matter which seat you choose, you can have confidence it’ll help prevent injury and death in an accident.
However, there are other risks of a child being strapped into a car seat beyond collisions! We’ve all heard heartbreaking stories of hot car deaths, and some of us have experienced the frustration of toddlers unbuckling their chest clips. Many car seats don’t offer solutions for these problems. However, an advanced safety feature called SensorSafe is included in some car seats, and it helps prevent some of these other car seat safety risks.
Today, we will discuss exactly what SensorSafe is and how it can be a helpful safety feature to consider when buying a car seat. Then, we’ll list out some car seats that have SensorSafe integrated into them. Here’s all you need to know about SensorSafe:
What is SensorSafe Car Seat?
A SensorSafe car seat has the SensorSafe device integrated into the chest clip! But, what is SensorSafe? It’s an advanced safety system that connects with your phone to alert you of four different common car seat dangers. You just download the SensorSafe app, connect it to your car seat, and in the event of one of these emergencies, the app will alert you and a list of emergency contacts of the problem.
Here are the four things SensorSafe will monitor for you:
1. Child Left in the Car
Accidentally leaving a child in a car isn’t just something “irresponsible” parents do. This can happen to anyone! It’s not a problem of neglect at all. Instead, it’s an issue with habit memory and prospective memory. Habit memory is the sort of “auto-pilot” that happens when we’re going about our daily routine. Prospective memory is when you’re trying to remember new information. When using both your habit memory and prospective memory at the same time, you can easily forget the prospective task. It’s like going through your child’s bedtime routine while trying to remember to give them a new prescription before bed, and it’s easy to forget that new medication!
Similarly, even small changes in routine that engage habit memory and prospective memory can increase the risk of forgetting your child in their car seat. These changes could include running errands before drop-off or switching pickup responsibilities with a spouse. The point is that these small mistakes can happen to anyone and have big consequences.
Here’s more on hot car deaths and how to prevent them. But one of the best solutions is the SensorSafe chest clip!
The SensorSafe app detects when the chest clip is latched, and the car is stationary, signaling that a child may be at risk. If an unsafe amount of time elapses, the app alerts you and your emergency contacts and provides the vehicle’s location.
2. Unsafe Temperature
Something that goes hand-in-hand with the risk of leaving your child in the car. Temperatures too hot or too cold could put your child at risk for heatstroke or hypothermia. The app also alerts you if the car temperature isn’t safe.
The app alerts you if unsafe temperatures for your child arise in the car, even while driving, allowing you to make necessary adjustments.
It’s very handy not only to keep your child safe but comfortable, too!
3. Chest Clip Unbuckled
Some toddlers go through a stage where they unbuckle their chest clip while you’re driving, and sometimes, it can be really difficult to fix. The first step to fixing the chest clip problem is knowing when your child does it so you can react quickly. The SensorSafe app will tell you if the chest clip is unbuckled while you’re moving!
Once you identify the problem, there are lots of things you can do to stop the unbuckling. Don’t go for any aftermarket products, and instead follow the tips in our post called “How to Keep Toddlers From Unbuckling their Chest Clip.”
4. Car Seat Ride too Long
Most car seat manufacturers recommend your infant shouldn’t be in a car seat for longer than 2 hours.
Prolonged positioning in a car seat can strain your baby’s developing spine and restrict airflow to their lungs, raising the risk of positional asphyxia. The SensorSafe app notifies you when it’s time for your baby to take a break from their seat.
It’s good for everyone to take a break every 2 hours, so just plan for those stops when going on a long trip.
Car Seats with SensorSafe
Cybex Sirona S
The Cybex Sirona S is a stand-out convertible car seat if you’re looking for advanced safety features. Of course, it has the SensorSafe chest clip, but the Cybex also has an anti-rebound bar and a load leg! Both of these offer more stability when in an accident, preventing injury from whiplash. The car seat also swivels in rear-facing mode, which makes getting your child into their seat a breeze. And, if you’re wondering, yes, swivel car seats are safe. Be sure to read our full review of the Cybex Sirona S to confirm whether or not it’s the right seat for your family!
Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Slim
The Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Slim is a swivel convertible car seat that’s less bulky than the Cybex Sirona S, making it suitable for fitting 3-across. It allows easy swiveling in both rear-facing and front-facing modes, and features the SensorSafe chest clip and an anti-rebound bar. Evenflo’s Gold seats also have a lifetime warranty and the company will replace your seat for free after a crash. Here’s is some more information on the Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Slim.
Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Extend
Here’s another convertible car seat in the Evenflo Gold Revolve360 series. The main difference between this one and the slim is that this one is wider and becomes a high-back booster! Of course, this seat has SensorSafe technology and the 360-degree rotation option, but that’s not all it offers in terms of advanced safety features.
The Revolve360 Extend permits rear-facing up to 50 lbs and 48 inches tall, prioritizing safety. It features an anti-rebound bar, a lifetime warranty, and a LockStrong arm for a secure and hassle-free installation. If you’re even in an accident, the seat will be replaced for free, like the 360 Slim. You can read our detailed review of the Evenflo Gold Revolve360 here.
Evenflo Shyft DualRide
Looking for a SensorSafe infant car seat? The Evenflo Shyft DualRide is a good option for many families! It’s a stroller/car seat combo, meaning you only need to bring along one piece of gear for most trips. Beyond the convenience of the 2-in-1 stroller/car seat feature, there are advanced safety components, too! The Evenflo Shyft DualRide has an anti-rebound bar, that LockStrong arm, and, of course, a SensorSafe chest clip! Here’s our extensive review of the Evenflo Shyft DualRide.
Cloud G Lux with SensorSafe
While we haven’t personally tested this seat yet, the Cloud G Lux appears to be a promising SensorSafe infant seat option. In addition to the SensorSafe technology, this seat features an anti-rebound bar, a load leg, and Linear Side-impact Protection. Though we haven’t used this seat yet, it’s getting great reviews, and all the added safety features are a big plus for many families! We’ll post a review on the blog as soon as we use the seat!
SensorSafe technology is an added bonus everyone should consider when shopping for a car seat!
When you’re choosing your child’s car seat, there are many factors to consider. It’s not just about price and convenience; it’s about the extra safety features, too! SensorSafe is definitely a nice tool to have at your disposal as a parent, so if you decide that’s a feature you’re interested in, try one of these great car seat options!
If you’re still unsure of how to pick the right seat, don’t worry. We can help! Our car seat buying kits take into consideration all aspects of your situation and offer a list of recommendations perfectly suited to your needs and preferences. You could also browse our catalog of car seat reviews to find which car seats we recommend and which we don’t. However you decide to go about it, we hope that Safe in the Seat helped you make an informed decision on your next car seat purchase!
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