Devices to Prevent Leaving Kids in the Car

After hours of research, we found the best car seat alarms, including some DIY and budget-friendly picks.
Best all-around
Product box for the Ride 'n Remind car seat alarm and backseat reminder system.
Ride 'n Remind
  • pro
    Alarm
  • pro
    App-free
  • con
    Professional installation
Best wearable
A bright yellow "Kid !n Car" wearable slap band, a visual reminder to check the back seat.
Kid !n Car
  • pro
    Versatile
  • pro
    Simple
  • con
    No alarm
Best camera option
The Itomoro baby car camera system, including the back seat camera and dashboard monitor.
Itomoro
  • pro
    Multi-use
  • pro
    DIY-friendly
  • con
    No alarm
Best low-tech option
The Shynerk baby car mirror, a low-tech visual reminder for rear-facing car seats.
Shynerk
  • pro
    Simple
  • pro
    Highly rated
  • con
    No alarm

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When we researched car seat alarms and devices to prevent parents from leaving their children in the car, the Ride 'n Remind Back Seat Reminder System stood out as the most reliable solution. Though it’s pricey, it doesn’t need maintenance or hassle. It just works.

Our favorite simple and budget-friendly solutions include the Kid !n Car slap band and the Shynerk car mirror. The Itomoro car camera could be a good solution for keeping an eye on multiple kids. 

Below, we'll talk more about our top picks and explain the sobering reason why these devices are necessary for all parents. 



Compare devices to prevent leaving kids in the car

Product
Best for
Price
Alarm
Lights
Easy installation
Learn more
Best all-around
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon No  LightNo
A bright yellow "Kid !n Car" wearable slap band, a visual reminder to check the back seat.Kid !n Car
Best wearable
Icon No  LightNo
Icon No  LightNO
Icon Yes  LightYes
Best camera option
Icon No  LightNo
Icon No  LightNo
Icon Yes  LightYes
Best low-tech solution
Icon No  LightNo
Icon No  LightNo
Icon Yes  LightYes

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Bell

Yes, this really happens. And it can be deadly.

In 2024, 40 children died in hot cars in the US. They ranged in age from infancy to 8 years old, and the majority were accidently left in the vehicle. A few climbed inside the car without their parents' knowledge, and several were left in the car while parents went to work or ran errands.

To understand why these tragedies happen, we talked to Rick Musson, a 23-year law enforcement officer who has responded to several calls about children being left in cars.

According to Musson and our research, the following scenarios tend to occur when kids are accidentally left in cars:

    1. The baby falls asleep and is quiet, so the parent forgets they're there.
    2. There's a change in routine where the parent who normally doesn't have the child is now driving with them. They may forget the child is there because they're not in the habit of checking.
    3. When traveling together, both parents may think the other one got the baby out of the car, but neither did.
    4. Parents get distracted or sleep deprived and forget their child in the backseat.

"When it happens to young children, the facts are often the same: An otherwise loving and attentive parent one day gets busy, or distracted, or upset, or confused by a change in his or her daily routine, and just... forgets a child is in the car." —Gene Weingarten

Parents who knowingly leave their kids in the car may not realize how fast cars heat up or how long they've been gone.

"When it's mild, the inside of a car can increase by a degree a minute, so within half an hour, a 75-degree car can warm up to 105 degrees," Musson says. "It doesn't have to be the middle of summer. Even on an 80-degree day, the inside of a car can be as hot as 120 degrees."

Musson tells us he once responded to a call where a father believed he had only left the child for five minutes, but it had actually been closer to one hour. At that point, the car would have easily been over 110 degrees. In such extreme heat, people (and pets) quickly lose the ability to regulate their internal body temperature. Heatstroke occurs with a body temp of 104 degrees, and death occurs at 107 degrees.

Parents may think it's safe to leave a child in the car with a window open, but the CDC warns that this isn't enough to keep the car cool. As for leaving the air conditioning running, cars can malfunction or run out of fuel, and we found at least one report of a child who is believed to have died after turning the AC off.

So, what can we do?

"Parents should get in the habit of checking the back seat every time they leave the car, regardless of whether their child is there," says Musson. "Establishing that habit can help protect you from forgetting your child. Always check."

You can also toss your phone into the back seat so you have to retrieve it—and your baby—before continuing with your day. Check with your partner to make sure they dropped the baby off at daycare before going to work, especially if that's not part of their typical routine.

The devices listed below can also help. Ideally, you can choose two or three products to give you a stronger safety net for remembering your child.

If you see a child in a hot car, call 911. Musson says to get them out of the car if they're in distress, even if that means breaking a window. (Don't break the window closest to the child to protect them from broken glass.)

"If the child is unresponsive and hot, try to cool them down by getting them out of the sun, taking off clothes, and using water to cool their skin," Musson advises.

Our top picks for the best devices to prevent leaving kids in cars

We focused on the most reliable, user-friendly car seat alarms and products we could find for this round-up.

1. Ride 'n Remind Back Seat Reminder System: Best all-around

Best all-around
Product box for the Ride 'n Remind car seat alarm and backseat reminder system.

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Ride 'n Remind Back Seat Reminder System is the most expensive system we found, and it requires pro installation. Real talk—those two things would normally turn us off, but the Ride 'n Remind more than makes up for its cons. It works for multiple kids, can double for pet-watch, and doesn’t require an app or batteries.

pro
Pros
pro No batteries
pro No app needed
pro Multiple/escalating alarms
pro No-fuss functionality
pro Kid- and pet-friendly
con
Cons
con Professional installation
con Expensive

Are you intrigued yet?

We really liked the simple concept too. The Ride 'n Remind sounds a chime to remind you to bring your child or pet.

For those lost in a cloud of stress, sleeplessness, or an extreme case of the Mondays, a chime may not be enough of a warning. Not to worry; the alerts escalate quickly. Here’s how the whole process works:

  1. Door detection: The Ride 'n Remind detects when you open a back door before starting the engine.
  2. Initial chime: Then when you get out of the car, it sounds a chime to remind you that you put something (or someone) in the backseat.
  3. Stop the chime: To stop the chime, you open the back door and press a button.
  4. Voice alert: If you don’t press the button after the first chime, a voice alert will sound, instructing you to press the button.
  5. Car horn: After 40 seconds, the device will trigger the car’s horn to honk in an SOS pattern. That will get your attention.

Here’s why Ride 'n Remind tops our list. First, it doesn’t need an app, which means you don’t need to worry about the device losing connection due to Bluetooth issues. Second, there aren’t any pieces to lose or for your kid or fur baby to grab and toss around the car while you’re driving. Third, the chime isn’t loud enough to wake up a sleeping baby.

2. Kid !n Car: Best wearable reminder

Best wearable
A bright yellow "Kid !n Car" wearable slap band, a visual reminder to check the back seat.

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

We like the neon yellow Kid !n Car slap band because it's a visual reminder that will catch your attention if you end up walking away from the car with your child inside. And other people are likely to notice it too, understand exactly what it means, and remind you to check for your kid.

pro
Pros
pro Inexpensive
pro One size fits all
pro Easy to use in different vehicles
pro Works for pets
con
Cons
con One more thing to remember

The Kid !n Car bracelet is actually a slap band, so it fits snugly on wrists of any size. Leave it in the car seat or driver's seat when you don't need it so that you remember to wear it. It's affordable, works with any vehicle, and helps protect pets too. 

3. Itomoro Baby Car Mirror: Best camera option

Best camera option
The Itomoro baby car camera system, including the back seat camera and dashboard monitor.

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Despite its name, the Itomoro Baby Car Mirror is actually a camera. The camera points toward your baby while the screen sits on your dashboard. This may offer an easier way to glance at your child while keeping most of your attention on the road compared to looking up at a rearview mirror. Plus, having your baby right in front of you as you drive and get out of the car is an excellent way to remember them.

pro
Pros
pro Multi-use
pro DIY-friendly
pro Simple installation
con
Cons
con Needs cigarette lighter
con No alarm

The plug-and-play installation is fast with no fuss. You strap a small camera to the backseat headrest, pointed at your bundle of joy. Then you place the screen beside the camera so the live footage is easily seen when you look in the rearview mirror. Then, you just plug the monitor into your car’s lighter adapter.

Plus, it’s a useful device for any trip. Its video screen lets you easily see your child in the backseat so you can see what they're up to at all times. It’s extra useful if you have a wiley toddler who likes to escape their car seat.

4. Shynerk Baby Car Mirror: Best low-tech option

Best low-tech option
The Shynerk baby car mirror, a low-tech visual reminder for rear-facing car seats.

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

We know some parents don’t want to mess with apps, cords, or remembering to wear something. So we looked for a low-tech solution that could help. What we came up with is the Shynerk Baby Car Mirror.

pro
Pros
pro Simple
pro Highly rated
con
Cons
con No alarm

This mirror straps to the headrest above a rear-facing car seat. When you glance in the rearview mirror, you’ll be able to see whether your child is with you. This simple visual reminder may be just what you need to prevent a child-left-behind situation.

This mirror is so beloved by parents that it has a 4.8-star rating on Amazon from more than 24,000 reviewers. What makes it different from the dozens of baby car mirrors out there? It doesn’t just sit in one position. You can adjust it to get optimal viewing of your precious one. Plus, the mirror doesn’t vibrate as you drive, so looking at your tyke won’t give you a headache.

More brands we considered

There are a few brands that we researched that just didn’t make the cut. While they’re not our top picks, they may work well for particular situations.

Elepho eClip Baby Reminder

The Elepho eClip baby reminder device shown clipped to a car seat strap.

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

We liked the Elepho eClip Baby Reminder because it seemed to be the full package:

  • Has no small parts for baby to choke on
  • Alerts you if the baby is left in the car
  • Alerts you if the car is too hot or cold, even if you are in the car
  • Notifies you when the battery is low
  • Works with Apple and Android phones

It just clips onto the car seat, diaper bag, or car seat belt. Once it’s clipped on, Elepho eClip sends alerts to its app. It’s so simple but makes so much sense. The price is affordable too.

The only drawback—and this is a big one—is that you must open the app every time you get into the car to ensure that the device will work properly. If you forget, you may not get an alert if your child is still in the car. That’s worrying and the sole reason that we can’t recommend the Elepho.

Car Seat CoPilot Automatic Alert System

The Car Seat CoPilot Automatic Alert System, showing the car seat latch and key fob alarm.

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The Car Seat CoPilot Automatic Alert System had great promise, so we were excited to research this car seat alarm. It comes with a latch that you attach to your child’s car seat and a key fob that sounds an alarm when you walk more than 10 feet away from the car seat. It’s a simple, elegant design that’s hard not to love.

Unfortunately, the Car Seat CoPilot Automatic Alert System doesn’t seem to perform well out in the real world. Users report that the alarm doesn’t always sound and that the keyfob breaks easily. The car seat clip is also bulky and would be hard to use with a newborn, in our opinion. With this in mind, we just couldn’t recommend this backseat baby reminder.

How we reviewed devices that prevent leaving kids in cars

To create our list of the best car seat alarms , we first took inventory of all the products on the market to help prevent hot car deaths. While there are often news stories about people creating new car seat alarms and devices to prevent leaving kids in cars, we found that very few make it to market or stay in business very long. This gave us a very narrow selection.

Once we knew what was out there, we:

  • Noted the products’ ratings on various websites
  • Read instructional diagrams
  • Watched product videos
  • Read hundreds of customer reviews.

We also drew from our own experience as parents to pick the most useful products.

Some points we considered include price, installation, usability, and features.

You can read more about our process on our methodology page.

FAQ

A car’s inside temperature can jump 20 degrees in just 10 minutes.²

No, it doesn’t prevent overheating.²

Try to find the parents or call 911. If the child is in distress, break a window, get them out of the sun, and start cooling them off. 

Final word

While the Ride 'n Remind Back Seat Reminder System needs professional installation and costs quite a bit more than its competitors, we think it’s the most reliable choice for keeping your children from being left inside of the car.

We also like that you can use it for fur babies and, well, anything you may forget in the backseat. So, even after your children become too loud to forget, the device is still useful for years to come.

Related articles on SafeWise

Sources

  1. National Safety Council, Injury Facts, “Hot Car Deaths.” Accessed April 11, 2025.
  2. American Academy of Pediatrics Healthy Children.org, “Prevent Child Deaths in Hot Cars,” August 2020. Accessed April 11, 2025.
  3. Kids and Car Safety, "2024 Hot Car Deaths." Accessed April 11, 2025.
  4. University of South Florida, "Why the Human Brain Allows Loving Caregivers to Leave a Child to Die in a Hot Car." March 2019. Accessed April 11, 2025.
  5. Gene Weingarten, The Washington Post, "Fatal Distraction: Forgetting a Child in the Backseat of a Car Is a Horrifying Mistake. Is It a Crime?" March 2009. Accessed April 11, 2025.
  6. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "Prevent Hot Car Deaths." Accessed April 11, 2025.
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Heat and Pets." June 2024. Accessed April 11, 2025.
  8. Abby Mittower and Shaquira Speaks, Queen City News, "Mother Charged After 8-Year-Old Child Dies Inside Hot Car at Workplace in West Charlotte: CMPD." June 2024. Accessed April 11, 2025. 
Disclaimers

*Amazon.com list price as of post date. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. SafeWise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

Alina Bradford
Written by
Alina is a safety and security expert with over 25 years of experience. She has contributed her insights to CNET, CBS, Digital Trends, MTV, Top Ten Reviews, and many others. After testing thousands of devices, apps, services, and more, her goal is to make safety and security gadgets less mystifying one article at a time. In the early 2000s, Alina worked as a volunteer firefighter, earning her first responder certification and paving the way to her current career. Plus, she has tested hundreds of pieces of security and safety equipment over the years. Places published: CBS, MTV, CVS, Rachael Ray, eBay, Reader’s Digest, ConsumerAffairs, and more. Certifications: Fire Service Training, Oklahoma State University. Awards: Received the Experience Leader certificate from Authority, putting her “in the top 25% among the thousands of professional content creators analyzed by Authory for the Fall 2023 audit.” You can view more of Alina's work at alinabradford.com.

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