Puffy coats and car seats could be a hidden danger
As the winter chill sets in, parents seek the perfect balance between warmth and safety for their little ones. Puffy coats, while a popular choice for insulation, come with an unexpected danger, when combined with car seats.
Puffy coats, while they look like they are going to be really warm and keep a child safe in that regard, put a lot of space in between the child and the car seat straps.
“If you think that you’re cinching down those car seat straps, there’s actually this big gap where the puffy coat is sitting,” said Dr. Jaime Oswald.
According to Safe Kids Wisconsin (SKW), a puffy coat adds four inches of slack to car seat harness straps, which causes a potential for a child to slide around in their car seat, in the event of a car accident, which would defeat the purpose of the car seat.
Parents can opt for lighter, thinner layers, such as sweaters that don’t compromise the snug fit of the car seat straps. Additionally, hats, gloves, boots and blankets provide warmth, once the child is securely strapped in and can be an effective substitute for bulky outerwear.
“A practical rule of thumb to use when trying to figure out if you’re dressing your kid warm enough for the cold weather, is that they should be wearing what you’re wearing, plus a layer,” said Oswald.
For instance, if a parent is wearing a jacket, the child can wear a jacket and a hat. This ensures that the child stays warm, without compromising their safety in the car seat.
After strapping the child into the car seat with the coat on, parents can remove the child without adjusting the straps, take off the coat and place the child back in the seat. If the straps still fit snugly, the layer is safe, but if the straps become significantly looser, the layer is too thick and poses a risk.
By adopting alternative clothing options and following safety measures, parents can ensure their little ones are snugly secured, protected from the cold weather and the unexpected dangers of puffy coats in car seats.
