When it’s cold and you’re trying to hurry and buckle your littles into their car seats, it’s tempting to cut corners and not do the job right. But it’s important to take your time and buckle your kids in properly just in case there’s an accident. Keep your kids safe this winter with these car seat safety tips.
Avoid the bulk
HealthyChildren.org says that,
As a general rule, bulky clothing, including winter coats and snowsuits, should not be worn underneath the harness of a seat. In a car crash, fluffy padding immediately flattens out from the force, leaving extra space under the harness. A child can then slip through the straps and be thrown from the seat.”
As you load your kiddos into their car seats this winter, make sure you remove those puffy coats before buckling them in. (Thin jackets may be the exception to the rule, but the car seat straps still need to sit tightly against your child’s chest.) Then cover your kiddo with the coat or a blanket to keep them warm.
Not too hot, not too cold, just right
Speaking of keeping your kids warm, be sure you closely monitor how cold or how hot your child is getting in their car seat. Feel their skin occasionally to make sure their body isn’t getting overheated. Your car may be cold when it first starts up. But as the heat circulates and warms your vehicle, you will probably need to remove your child’s warm covering to prevent them from getting too hot.