Car seat safety warning

car seat safetyBabies and kids should not wear coats in the car

Safety warning are being issued to parents who may not be aware pf the dangers of putting their baby or child in their car seat wearing a coat.

Once you have used your infant car seat a few times, you’ll be used to the adjustment of the straps. By pulling the straps, you should tighten them on your child’s body, so that you can just slip two fingers beneath the straps at collar bone level. If they straps are any looser than this, it can be dangerous for your child in an accident, as they can be thrown forwards or even slip down or twist in the seat.

When it’s cold outside, the temptation is to leave your child in a thick, padded coat, snowsuit or cloth coat. However, parents should avoid doing this.

The danger of your child overheating is also very real. Babies can’t regulate their body temperature as well as an adult can, so they may become too hot very quickly and this is a major risk factor in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (cot death).

Car seats are crash-tested using dummies that have just thin clothing on them, so to add a padded layer – that may collapse on impact, leading to forward motion – is not safe. The slippery texture of some coats also means it may be easier for your child to slip out of the straps.

What can I do to keep my child safe?

  • Take your baby to the car with a blanket over them, or put the coat over them
  • Once in the car, use the heater to bring the car to a comfortable temperature – about 18 degrees is perfect
  • Once it’s warm enough, remove the blanket
  • Always check the car seat is correctly fitted and the straps properly tightened FOR EVERY JOURNEY.

See our reviews of the best Group 0+ car seats