Thick Coats + Car Seats = A Safety Risk for Pediatric Passengers
When temperatures drop, bundling up your child in a thick winter coat or snowsuit seems like the right thing to do. But when it comes to car seat safety, those bulky layers can actually put your child in danger.
The Hidden Risk
Car safety seats are designed to protect children by keeping the harness snug against their chest – just like a seatbelt does for adults. Thick coats and snowsuits create extra padding that changes how the straps fit. In a crash, that padding compresses and could leave dangerous gaps between your child and the harness. This can lead to serious injuries or ejection from the seat.
How to do the pinch test
- Ensure the car seat is installed correctly, and the harness is tightly buckled.
- Position the chest clip at the armpit level of the child.
- Pinch the harness straps at the child’s shoulder. You should not be able to pinch any excess webbing.
- If you can pinch any material, the harness is too loose and needs further tightening.
- Check the fit every time you buckle your child into the seat to reinforce a proper install. Remember, the pinch test is a simple yet effective way to ensure your child is properly secured in their car seat and secure enough to withstand the forces of a crash.
Avoid Unsafe Add-Ons
Skip thick blankets or aftermarket inserts like lambskin liners inside the car seat. These products aren’t crash-tested and can create the same dangerous gaps as bulky coats.
Safe Ways to Keep Kids Warm
- Infants: Dress them in thin layers (shirt, sweatshirt, pants, hat). Buckle them first, then use a blanket to cover them.
- Toddlers and Older Babies: Remove the coat before buckling them in. Once harnessed, you can put their coat on backwards over the buckled harness straps.
- Warm Up the Car: Whenever possible, start the car before loading your child.
Smart Coat Choices
When shopping for winter gear, look for thin, warm materials like polar fleece. These keep kids cozy without compromising car seat safety.
Safe Installation for Your Safety Seat
Free Safety Seat Checks
Before heading out on the holiday road trip, make sure your child’s safety seat is installed correctly by scheduling a Safety Seat appointment at REMSA Health. A trained volunteer or staff member will check your child’s car seat for proper installation, obvious defects, and whether it’s on a national recall list.
