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Picture this: You’re cruising down the highway, singing along to “Baby Shark” for the millionth time (don’t worry, we’ve all been there), when suddenly—BAM! You have to slam on the brakes. In that split second, your car becomes a potential danger zone. Whether your suddenly braking to avoid a crash or are in a crash, loose objects become projectiles that can injure you or your precious child.
According to Safety Research and Strategies, unsecured objects in the car result in a staggering 13,000 injuries annually. Injuries caused by loose objects include cuts and lacerations, fractures, head and neck injuries — even spinal cord damage or traumatic brain injuries that could be fatal
Scary, right? But don’t worry, I’ve got your back. Let’s tackle the sneaky problem of flying objects in your vehicle.
Laws of Motion
First things first, remember Isaac Newton’s first law of motion. An object in motion tends to stay in motion unless an external force acts upon it.
This not only applies to the vehicle itself but every inside the vehicle. When a car is traveling 50 mph and comes to a sudden stop by fast braking or a collision, every thing in the car continues traveling at 50 mph until it collides with something to stop. Loosely, weight x speed = force.
Greg’s — my hubby, business partner, former paramedic and CPST-I for 20+ years — rule of thumb has always been, “if your not willing to throw it at your child at 50 mph, then don’t have it in your car.”
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The Worst Offenders
Unrestrained occupants are perhaps the worst offenders. Passengers not wearing a seat belt become deadly projectiles during a crash. This heavy projectile is a danger to themselves and other passengers in the car.
This goes for unrestrained adults, unrestrained or improperly restrained children and pets. All unrestrained pets become projectiles but remember some dogs are as heavy as adults. Pets should be restrained, too.
We go into depth about unrestrained passengers in another article but for a quick review:
Lead by Example
Humans are heavy objects. Unrestrained humans are heavy, flexible objects bouncing around the inside of the car — and sometimes bouncing on out. Buckle up adults.
Besides, children whose parents don’t wear seat belts are twice as likely to be unrestrained themselves. So, practice what you preach! Buckle up every time, even for short trips. Your kids are watching and learning from you. You do not want your teen thinking it’s OK to not buckle up when they are driving themself.
Your Child’s Personal Fortress
OK. Car seats are probably not going to protect your children from all loose objects that become projectiles. But correctly using one will protect your child from being a flying projectile.
Car seats aren’t just overpriced pieces of plastic and fabric — they’re literal lifesavers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. That’s huge!
But here’s the kicker, a whopping 75% of car seats are not used correctly. (Higher or lower percentage depending on which study and study particulars.) Yep, you read that right. Most parents are unknowingly putting their kids at risk.
A quick visit with a local certified car seat technician (yes, that’s a real thing) can help set things right and teach you how to properly install and use your car seat.
Pro tip: It’s a common misconception that you can swing by your local fire stations or police departments for a car seat check. Don’t. They may not have actual trained certified car seat technicians on staff. Instead, look for certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) in your area. These certified technicians have the proper training to ensure your car seat is correctly installed and appropriate for your child.
When Everyday Objects Attack
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room—or should I say, the water bottle rolling around on your floor mat. You might think, “It’s just a water bottle, what harm could it do?” Well, folks, in a crash, that innocent-looking bottle becomes a potentially deadly projectile.
Here’s a mind-blowing fact for you: Remember that sudden stop from traveling 50 mph? In a 50 mph crash, a 20-pound object hits with 1,000 pounds of force. That’s like being tackled by a baby elephant! I know a water bottle is not a 20-pound object. A full 16 oz plastic water bottle is about a pound. In a 50 mph crash, that 1-pound water bottle is coming at you or your child with 50 pounds of force.
So, what loose objects are in your car right now that could become a projectile? Let’s take a quick inventory:
- Water bottles or soda cans
- Toys
- Books
- Snack containers
- Purse
- Diaper bags
- Loose change
- Your phone (yes, even if it’s “just on the seat”)
Each of these items poses a risk in the event of a sudden stop or crash. But don’t panic! I’m not suggesting you drive around in a completely empty car. (Though, how bad would that be really?)
When Gadgets Go Flying
In our tech-obsessed world, it’s common to have tablets, smartphones, and other gadgets in the car to keep the kiddos entertained. But these devices can be particularly dangerous projectiles due to their weight and hard edges.
Consider investing in headrest mounts or seat-back holders for tablets and smartphones. Not only should this better secure the devices, but it can also position them at a better angle for viewing, potentially reducing car sickness and improving posture. Win-win!
Your Anti-Projectile Game Plan
Alright, so how do we deal with this loose object projectile problem without going full minimalist? Here are some tried-and-true strategies:
- Use the trunk: If you don’t need it during the drive, stick it in the trunk. This is especially important for heavier items like laptops or sports equipment. If you have a cargo area instead of a trunk, use cargo nets or tethers.
- Invest in organizers: Car seat organizers, trunk organizers, and even simple tote bags can help keep items contained.
- Secure loose items: Use the car’s storage compartments, cup holders, and seat pockets to their full advantage.
- Be mindful of placement: If you must have items in the passenger area, place them on the floor against a fixed component rather than on seats where they’re more likely to become airborne.
- Regular car cleanouts: Less clutter means fewer potential projectiles. Plus, you might finally find that missing sippy cup lid!
- If you read our choking hazard article, you’ll remember we recommend not give your child food while you are driving. No food means no food containers equals no choking and no projectiles.
- Can’t ride without toys? Try to make toys soft stuffed animals instead of hard items like books or toy cars. Remove hang toys from infant seat handles. They can dislodge in a crash and they are right in front of baby’s face.
Download our report: Common Car Seat Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Child car safety related objects
The Top Tether
Not all car seats have a top tether storage compartment so that means if you aren’t using the tether, the loose end is a loose metal object that becomes a projectile attached to your child’s car seat.
But here’s the thing. This strap on the back of your forward-facing car seat isn’t just decorative — it’s a crucial safety feature that reduces forward head movement in a crash by 4 to 6 inches. That’s the difference between a minor bump and a serious injury.
A study by Safe Kids Worldwide found that a staggering 64% of parents and caregivers don’t use the top tether. So increase your child’s safety in the car seat and eliminate a potential projectile by using that top tether. Check your car seat manual and your vehicle’s owner’s manual to find out how to properly use the top tether.
Your Spying Tool, the Rear-Facing Mirror
Way back when I was teaching new parents how to install their car seats so they can bring their newborns home safely, I told every parent to not use the mirror that attaches to the back seat so they can see their rear-facing infant. I get it. You want to keep an eye on your baby. But there are some issues.
- It is a major distraction. And distracted driving leads to car crashes. That should be enough of a reason to not use it.
- Some mirrors can come off during a crash and then it is what? That’s right. That mirror becomes a projectile.
- Ever knock on that mirror? What’s it made of? It’s hard plastic isn’t it? If the circumstances are right during a crash, it may be possible your child’s car seat can angle up enough for your child’s head to connect with that mirror.
- And, fresh from the press, it can cause a fire. This is actually the first time in 20 years of being a technician I’ve heard problem with having the mirror on the back seat. But this summer a mom reported the sun was reflecting off the mirror onto her child’s car seat and it scorched a hole in the cover before she noticed and got her child out.
Your Car, Your Fortress
As parents, we have a million things to worry about, and sometimes car safety can feel overwhelming. But trust me, taking these steps to secure your self, your child, your pets and your belongings in the car is worth it.
Every time you buckle that car seat, secure those loose items, or resist the urge to check your phone while driving, you’re being a superhero for your kids. You’re creating a safer environment and teaching them valuable lessons about responsibility and safety.
By Amie Durocher, Creative Director at Safe Ride 4 Kids and certified CPS Tech since 2004
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