Winter Car Safety Tip for Parents

Winter Safety Tips for Car Seats

As winter weather settles in, safety experts are reminding parents to be cautious when securing their children in car seats. One common mistake that can compromise safety is using bulky coats or snowsuits while buckling kids into their car seats.

Nancy Raether, a community programs coordinator with Sanford CHILD Services, explains that thick clothing can prevent car seat harnesses from fitting properly. “A lot of times people want to put their child in a big winter coat or maybe a snowsuit, and sometimes when we do that, that can cause those harness straps not to fit very well over your child,” she said.

Raether highlights that a poor fit can quickly become dangerous. In the event of a crash, the force compresses the coat, leaving space that the harness cannot make up for. “If they were to get in a crash, it does make it possible for their child to slip out of the harness when they have a bulky coat or bulky clothing under the harness straps,” she said.

Even standard safety checks may not work when padding gets in the way. “But even if you try the pinch test, if you’re doing it over the top of a bulky coat, it might seem like your child is in their nice and snug, but it still could create some space,” Raether explained.

She suggests dressing children in thin layers and buckling them in before adding warmth on top. “You can always put your child in layers to begin with. So thinner layers under the harness and once your child is actually snuggly fit into their car seat and the harness is buckled, then we would say you can put their winter coat on backwards, or you could use a blanket on your child, we would just say to tuck that in around their legs and around their waist so it doesn’t get up over their face,” Raether said.

Parent Perspectives on Car Seat Safety

Parents like Megan Jensen say it’s a habit many people don’t think about until they learn how much a coat can affect the fit of a harness. “I just thought putting them in a coat and buckling them up was what I would normally do, but of course, you know, being a mom and trying to research everything, because you know, mom anxiety is real,” Jensen said.

She notes that simple steps like using blankets or putting a coat on backward help keep her children warm without compromising safety. “Prior to being a parent, you know, you just think buckle in, and you’re good, but really, taking the coat off, having extra things such as blankets or wearing a coat backwards can help keep your kids warm, but also safe as well,” Jensen said.

Jensen admits that busy mornings can make shortcuts tempting, but she emphasizes that slowing down for her children’s safety is always worth it. “Oh, I have been there! There’s multiple times when you think this could be so much quicker just to get things moving and grooving and just buckle them up, and you kind of forget about that step, but it truly can make a world of difference,” she said.

Expert Recommendations for Safe Winter Travel

Sanford experts encourage families to keep coats off under the harness and use alternative layers to keep children warm through the winter months. By following these simple guidelines, parents can ensure their children are both comfortable and safe during cold weather travel.

Some key tips include:

• Dressing children in thin layers before securing them in the car seat.
• Avoiding bulky coats or snowsuits under the harness straps.
• Using blankets or placing a coat on backward to add warmth without compromising safety.
• Ensuring the harness is snug and fits correctly by performing the pinch test.

By making these small adjustments, parents can significantly reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident. It's a matter of prioritizing safety over convenience, especially during the colder months.