S/O help with reducing projectile risk

[ilo]

I have been trying to be more careful what we keep in our car and where it is placed but I'm still struggling with lot of issues. I was reading the thread about things flying in the car and decided that we really need to do something now.

Specific issues:

DVD player: DD is still rear facing and at some point she was watching dvds from a player that was "secured" in between the side headrest at the back. She has not used it in 6mo as i do not think it is safe. We still need something few times a year for longer trips. I'm thinking of getting small iPod, maybe Classic but nano would be even smaller. They would fly too but at least are much smaller than portable DVD players. What do you think?

Laptop: I often have laptop with me when going to work. I usually place it wither on front passengers or rear passengers feet. Is it enough t think that when it is not placed on top of seat it would not be a danger for anybody (thinking that in front impact it would try to go forward and hit the bottom of the front seats)? Other ideas?

Stroller and other items at the back:
We have a Jeep grand Cherokee. I'm very careful not to place anything at the top so that it could fly. How big risk is something that is place at the bottom?

[codex57]

I'd consider one of those cages to protect the passenger area from stuff in the cargo area.

[Melizerd]

I would definitely get a cargo net. Even in a "minor" crash you would be surprised what flies where and if there were a roll over accident that lap top would be a MAJOR concern.

[southpawboston]

yeah, having things on the floor doesn't mean they're not a hazard. i've been in an accident where things on the floor ended up on the seat and things on the seat ended up on the floor. things fly in all directions. there is never just one "direction" of projectile motion in a crash. things are rebounding all over the place.

the cage idea is good for SUVs and station wagons. i would also consider keeping the laptop in a soft-padded case. for the stroller, a cargo net and/or tie downs are helpful. even though they might not prevent things from breaking loose in a crash, tie downs may lengthen the time before they do become projectiles, therefore reducing their velocity.