KANSAS CITY, Kan. – It’s a danger car seat safety expert Daniella Silver said many parents aren’t even aware of.
“It’s one of the biggest mistakes we seen in the winter,” said Silver.
Putting a child in a thick winter coat then buckling and tightening their car seat straps is a safety risk, she said.
“The reason why is because when you have a nice thick coat like this, in a crash, it compresses, and with that compression comes that space between the coat, the child and the straps,” explained Silver.
New Birth Company has a method you can test your child’s coat if you are unsure:
- Put the coat on
- Buckle child in
- Tighten straps
- Take coat off child
- Re-buckle
- Check Straps
If the straps can still be tightened, that jacket is too thick for the car seat.
New Birth Company recommends layering your child in sweaters made out of fleece, specifically, or something like it. Those materials still keeps kids warm but still let you buckle them in safely.
Silver said if it’s a particularly cold morning, bring the big coat with your child. Some coats can be put on backward after the child is buckled in, or you can leave an extra blanket inside the car to put on top of the child after they are buckled in.
New Birth Company said more than 80 percent of car seats are installed wrong. If you want your car seat inspected, they offer free inspections all year long. To make an appointment, click here.
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