Summer is the perfect time for the whole family to go out and have fun under the sun. You may already have plans of going to the beach or paying your relatives and friends a visit. But if you’re a parent with a little one in tow, you have to be more careful about how you spend your summer days.
Whenever you are out and about, see to it that you keep your baby cool when in the car seat. This is something that any parent or caregiver should never take lightly especially when around 37 children die from heat-related deaths every year. And these helpless children died while inside vehicles.
Heatstroke, dehydration, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), brain damage — these are just some of the dangers babies face when they are in an overheating car seat. On the brighter side, there are many things that you can do to protect your precious passenger.
And one of them is by using a car seat fan.
What to consider when buying a car seat fan
A stroller or a car seat fan is a ‘clip-on’ portable fan. It’s a little accessory that will keep your baby cool and reduce the chance of him overheating. They’re not expensive which is a good thing; however, you still need to make sure that you’re getting the right one. The following factors should help you decide on what to look for when buying a car seat fan.
Fan case
This is the first thing that you need to consider when getting a car seat fan for your baby. You’d want to go with something that doesn’t have huge gaps in between the casing. Otherwise, you risk those tiny fingers of getting injured especially if the fans are made of metal or hard plastic.
Fan blades
Some fans have blades that are made of soft plastic or sometimes, even rubber. While this is the safest for your baby, they are not as efficient in keeping your little one cool. This is precisely the reason why the fan case is the first thing to consider when shopping for car seat fans.
To not sacrifice efficiency, you can opt for a fan that has blades made of hard plastic or metal provided that they’re enclosed safely in a case with tiny gaps.
Noise
Sleep is just as important (if not more) in babies as it is in adults. As such, you don’t want your little angel waking up unnecessarily because of the noise that the fan makes. Go for a model that operates silently otherwise; you’re defeating the purpose of having one to keep him comfortable.
Portability and ease of use
Portability is also another factor to consider when looking for a car seat fan. It’s recommended that you choose something that is lightweight and can be stored easily when not in use. Weight is not a big issue when the car seat is inside the car.
But when you’re carrying the seat with your little one on it, you don’t want to be lifting the thing with the added weight. Additionally, you want to go with a fan that works on rechargeable batteries and can be charged through a USB.
Best baby car seat fans
Now that you know what to consider when buying a car seat fan, it should be easier to narrow down your choices. However, there are still many different models out there that can still make choosing one a little challenging. That said, here are five of the best car seat fans currently to give you a headstart.
Cool On The Go Rechargeable Fan
This fan gets the top spot as the best car seat fan on our list. It features a compact design but is able still able to keep your little cool consistently. It also comes preinstalled with batteries which is also a plus since you can start using it from the get-go.
This clip-on fan can easily be attached to the car seat or stroller, and it only takes seconds to do so. You can also use it for yourself if your baby’s already cold and comfy with the lanyard that comes with it. Another cool feature of this fan is the LED lights that can be used when you’re outside in the evening.
Most importantly, you’ll never have to worry about your little one’s tiny fingers ever touching the blades. That’s because the fan itself doesn’t come with blades.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Rechargeable batteries via USB
- Compact and lightweight
Cons
- A little pricey compared to other models
- Non-adjustable fan head
Diono Stroller Fan
The Diono Stroller fan comes in different bright colors to help keep babies not only fresh but also entertained while on the go. You can breathe easy knowing that the fan case will make sure that those tiny fingers will never be able to access the blades. If they do, the edges of this fan are made to be blunt so as not to cause any injury.
It only requires two AA batteries (not included) which should be enough to get you through the day. What’s cool about this fan is that it has a flexible neck that you can twist and bend easily to direct the airflow to any direction you want.
Pros
- Long battery life
- The fan blades are well-protected by the case with tiny gaps in them.
Cons
- There’s only one speed option available.
- Doesn’t come with batteries and can’t be used with rechargeable ones either
SkyGenius Battery-Operated Clip-on Fan
The SkyGenius Fan runs smoothly with very little noise, so your baby can sleep soundly. It runs on a single 18650 Lithium battery that is both rechargeable and can be replaced easily. It gives you the option to use it either as a clip-on fan and you can also put it down on any flat surface whenever you see fit.
You also don’t need to worry about purchasing spare batteries for this fan. That’s because it can be powered without one via USB — perfect during long drives. Finally, the fan can also be turned 360 degrees which eliminates the need for re-clipping to direct it at a different angle.
Pros
- Noise-free operation
- Charges quickly
- Can still be used while charging
Cons
- Short battery life
Alytimes Safety Baby Clip-On Mini Fan
If you’re short on budget, this fan is perfect for your little one. The blades of this fan are not enclosed in a case; however, you don’t need to worry. That’s because the blades are made of soft foam which makes them perfectly safe for those tiny fingers. It looks a lot more like a toy which can do an excellent job of also keeping your baby entertained
The fan is powered by two AA batteries which, unfortunately, don’t come included in the package. It can also be used by plugging the fan into a USB port, however, keep in mind that it doesn’t have a charging capability..
Pros
- Foam blades
- Comes with a flexible neck that allows the fan to be positioned at any angle
- Affordable
Cons
- Only one-speed option for the fan
- Not rechargeable
Dizaul Portable Fan
This one is not the same clip-on fan as the other ones on this list but functions very well as a car seat fan nonetheless. It does come, however, with a sturdy carabiner that you will use to attach it to the car seat.
What’s cool about this fan is that it can also function as a power bank for when you need to charge gadgets like your phone, camera, mp3, etc. You also get to choose from three different speed options which are helpful especially when you want to save on battery life.
Pros
- Can be used as a power bank too
- Comes with a flashlight
- Rechargeable battery comes in the package which is also replaceable
- Three-speed options available
Cons
- Fan head is not adjustable
- Produces noise especially when ran at a high speed
Conclusion
Summer is meant to be enjoyed by the whole family, and that includes your baby. After all, spending time outdoors is also essential to your little one’s development. Overheating and dehydration are both serious issues, but as long as you make the right preparations and with your ever-reliable car seat fan, you should be good to go.
Featured image from Flickr.
