Loose Objects in the Car: Why Projectiles Matter and How to Secure Them

Family cars collect stuff: diaper bags, water bottles, tablets, strollers, groceries, sports gear, the empty booster seat from carpool. Most of it sits loose on seats, floors and the rear deck. In a crash or emergency stop, anything that isn't secured keeps moving at the speed the car was going until something stops it, which could be a window, a seat back, or a passenger. That's why child passenger safety educators talk about projectiles. This guide covers the basic physics, which items to worry about most, and a realistic plan to secure them.

Why loose objects become dangerous

In a sudden stop, everything in the car tends to keep moving forward at the speed the car was going. Passengers are held by seat belts and car seats. Loose objects aren't. The heavier the object and the faster the car, the more force it carries. Even a modest item can hit hard. That's well-established basic physics, and it's why vehicle manufacturers put cargo tie-downs and load limits in their manuals, and why car seat manuals tell you to secure unoccupied seats.

The rear seat area is where young children ride, and their heads sit close to the rear deck, the cargo area behind them, and the floor in front of them. That's why where you put things matters.

Common items, ranked by how much to care

This is a common-sense ranking, not a measured scale. The idea is simple: heavy and hard items go far from the kids and low down. Light and soft items can stay near them.

Securing cargo in SUVs, minivans and hatchbacks

Open cargo areas sit right behind the last row, often at head height for whoever sits there. Without a barrier, heavy items can shift forward.

• Load heavy items first, low and against the back of the rear seat.
• Use the vehicle's tie-down points (most cargo areas have them; the owner's manual shows where) with straps or a cargo net.
• Consider a cargo barrier or net made for your vehicle model. Universal pet barriers aren't always designed for cargo loads, so check what a product is rated for.
• Close the cargo cover if your vehicle has one. It hides items and may help keep light ones in place.
• Don't overload beyond the vehicle's stated payload. The owner's manual and door-jamb sticker list it.

Browse cargo nets and tie-downs on Amazon

Check fit for your specific vehicle, and prefer nets and straps that attach to the vehicle's own anchor points.

Empty car seats and boosters

An empty car seat that's installed and tight is already secured. The risk is the seat that isn't installed, like the spare booster that rides around between carpools, or an infant carrier set on the seat without its base.

• Buckle an empty booster with the vehicle belt, or use its lower connectors if it has them. Many booster manuals tell you to do this
• Don't leave an infant carrier loose on the seat. Click it into its base, or store it in the trunk
• Store spare seats in the trunk rather than on an empty seat

Our existing guide to booster LATCH connectors explains why many boosters include them.

Inside the cabin: everyday items

You can't empty the cabin entirely when you have kids, and you don't need to. Aim for this:

1. Use closed storage. The glovebox, center console and closed under-seat bins hold things better than open trays.
2. Swap hard toys for soft ones on the road. Save the metal trucks for home.
3. Choose soft-sided or plastic bottles for the back seat when you can.
4. Put tablets away in a seat-back pocket when not in use. Hard tablet mounts on the headrest are a judgment call: if you use one, make sure it attaches firmly to the vehicle headrest posts, sits out of the child's head range, and doesn't touch the car seat. Check the car seat manual's position on objects near the seat.
5. Organizers should be soft and attached to the front seat back, not the car seat.

Browse soft backseat organizers that hang on the front seat. Avoid organizers that hang off or attach to the car seat itself. Our article on aftermarket car seat accessories explains why.

Road trips and moving days

Long trips are when cars get most packed, and when it's most tempting to put bags on the seat next to a child or stack things to the roof. A few rules for loaded cars:

1. Plan the load before the day. Decide what goes in the trunk, what goes on a roof box or hitch carrier, and what stays in the cabin.
2. Keep the cargo area below the seat backs where you can, so items have less chance of coming over the top in a sudden stop.
3. Nothing heavy on empty seats. If something has to ride on a seat, buckle it in with the seat belt.
4. Keep the car seat area clear. Nothing should be wedged between the car seat and the door, the front seat, or another car seat. That can affect the install.
5. Re-check after stops. Loads shift and kids rearrange things. Check before you set off again.

Our existing road trip car seat checklist covers the car seat side of a long drive, from harness checks to planned stops.

Pets in the family car

A loose dog is both a projectile and a distraction. Common options include crash-tested harnesses that attach to the seat belt or to a dedicated anchor, and crates secured in the cargo area with straps. Look for products that state independent crash testing, and read what that testing covered. Keep pets out of the front seat, and out of reach of a child's car seat.

Browse dog car harnesses on Amazon

FAQ

The bottom line

A secured car is a calmer car. Heavy items go low in the cargo area, empty seats get buckled or stored, and the cabin holds soft, light things. None of this replaces a properly installed car seat, which is still the most important thing. If you'd like a second set of eyes on your car seat install, a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician can check it for free. NHTSA's car seat inspection locator finds one near you; see our CPST guide.