Winter Car Seat Safety

Posted on Monday, December 30, 2013

Frosty windows, snowy forecasts, dipping temps … baby, it’s cold outside! For much of the country, winter weather has arrived, and it’s here to stay, which means you’re likely dressing your little one in a lot more layers. But those bulky winter coats and jackets can cause a serious safety risk if used in conjunction with a car seat. 

Bulky clothing, like heavy winter coats and puffy snowsuits, can compress in the event of a crash and lead to an increased risk of injury, even ejection. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that to keep your child safe, you should always remove bulky clothing or blankets before you place the child in the seat.

So what’s a parent to do? We love these practical tips from the Texas Department of Public Safety:
• Keep your child in the clothes they will be wearing when they are indoors
• Place the child in the infant seat or car seat, making sure the harness straps are snug over the shoulders and that they lie straight and flat down to the buckle
• Buckle the child in and THEN put the coat or blanket OVER them, on TOP of the harness system
• You can even turn the coat around and put his arms through the sleeves after he is buckled into his car seat

All of this will ensure that the harness system is able to do its job in the event of a crash and your little one stays warm. Still have questions? Please ask! We’ll do our best to get you the information you need. And if you need help installing your car seat, you can find a certified CPS technician or child-seat-fitting station near you through one of these organizations: NHTSA, SeatCheck or National Child Passenger Safety Certified Technicians.

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