Winter Coats Can Be Dangerous When Securing Your Child in a Car Seat

Winter in the south can be brutal at times; however, even on “warmer” days children still need a coat during the winter.  What you put on your child to protect him or her from the winter cold can be dangerous if your child is in a car seat.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), bulky clothing, including winter coats and snowsuits, should not be worn under a car seat harness. The bulkiness prevents you from tightening the harnesses securely to prevent the child from being ejected from the car seat in the event of a collision.

Some tips to keep your child warm AND safe in a car seat this winter include:

• Keep the carrier portion of the car seat inside when not in use so that it is room temperature.
• Dress your child in hats, mittens, socks, and booties to reduce the loss of body heat.
• Dress your child in thin layers including long underwear or a thermal knit shirt.
• Use a blanket or coat over the straps once your child is in the car.

Other Car Seat Safety Tips

According to Safe Kids, using a car seat or child safety seat correctly can reduce the risk of death by as much as seventy-one percent.  Unfortunately, over seventy percent of car seats are not installed properly. Parents should use the car seat checklist and find a Safe Kids car seat inspection event near them to ensure their car seat is installed properly.

Other car seat safety tips include:

• Register your car seat immediately to receive important updates and recall notices from the manufacturer. 
• Never buy a used car seat unless you know its full crash history.  Buying a used car seat at a yard sale or a thrift store can put your child at risk.
• Always wear your seatbelt as a good example for your child.
• Use a rear-facing car seat at least until 2 years old or as long as possible.
• Always put children in the back seat.
• Always check the label carefully to ensure you are purchasing the correct car seat for your child’s height and weight.
• If your child exceeds the maximum height and weight limits for car seats; your child’s shoulders are above the car seat’s top harness; OR, the tops of your child’s ears are above the top of the car seat, it is time to move to a booster seat.
• Only use small, soft toys. Hard toys can be dangerous in an accident.
• If an attachment did not come with the car seat, it has not been crash tested and could be dangerous in an accident.

Do You Need an Experienced Attorney Who Handles Motor Vehicle Cases in Atlanta and Albany?

We hope you always have safe travels but if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, we want to help. The Attorneys at Council & Associates, LLC have the skill, experience, resources, and knowledge to ensure that your best interests are protected as we fight against big insurance companies on your behalf.

Call (404) 526-8857 –Atlanta or (229) 598-0866 Albany.  You can also contact us online to schedule a free consultation.