The Cars-N-Kids Car Seat Monitor is a thin, small, pressure-sensitive rectangular device that parents or caregivers can place between the child’s car seat itself and the car seat cover.

Using a special smartphone app and Bluetooth cell phone technology, the monitor sends an alert to the parent if the child leaves the seat or when a child is still in the car seat five minutes after the vehicle has stopped moving.

In addition, the monitor can also notify the parents of the temperature in the car seat, enabling the parent to adjust rear-seat climate controls to remedy the too-cold or too-hot temperature.

The only other requirement is three AAA batteries to power the monitor. These should be changed about every four months, according to Steffen.

“This system will help save the lives of children,” Steffen tells FamilyCarGuide. “It is low cost for parents and would not be an added expense to car manufacturers or anyone who does not have children.”

The Cars-N-Kids Car Seat Monitor, patent pending, will retail for $60. The phone app is free. Steffen says the monitor can be used from infant seat through booster. The stand-alone system will be available in January 2012.

Beyond that, Steffen says they are currently working with a couple of car seat manufacturers on an integrated system which could be available by summer.

For more information on the Cars-N-Kids Car Seat Monitor, go to www.carseatmonitor.com or call 1-800-631-5207.