Seat Chiller keeps hot carseats cool

Now that the weather's getting warmer, carseat covers and buckles get mighty hot -- making late afternoon grocery runs with kids even more painful than usual. Innovative solution: the Seat Chiller. This carseat cooler is basically a long, thin icepack that sits between kid and seat, cooling that cools everything down, including tempers. Nice for pregnant women, too? An exclusive of Baby Dagny.

Note: Baby Dagny is a former sponsor, but this isn't a paid or affiliate placement -- it's just a product I consider hack-worthy.

Comments

[CJ]

We have an old baby blanket that stays in the car. When we get out of the car, we just throw it over the car-seat to keep the seat and buckles from getting hot. (In the winter it's a nice lap blanket for keeping little knees warm while the car warms up.)

[Becky]

A cheaper alternative is to fill a 2 liter soda bottle with water and freeze it then wrap it in a towel and throw it in the car when you go out. Put the soda bottle in the kids seat and cover with a towel or blanket when you leave the car. Works just as well if not better and it's free. I live in Phoenix, AZ where the seat belts can cause serious burns in the summer time so this solution has been well tested.

[Parent Hacks Editor]

You people are brilliant. Let us all say it together: WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT?

[Heather Patey]

Uh, no, hold on here. The Chiller does not stay between kid and seat - that's guaranteed to make the straps not fit right, and therefore endanger your child. It says on the website that the Chiller is removed before the child goes in. Anything between kid and seat (including those zip-up cuddle bags) will compress at the time of a collision, your child is left with loose straps, and may well be ejected from the seat. Just thought I'd make that point clear.

[Parent Hacks Editor]

Heather: MY MISTAKE! I'll update immediately. Thank you so much for pointing this out.