is your child's coat too bulky in the car seat? use these steps to find out!

Winter is here, which means winter jackets are a necessity. Although winter jackets bring us the comfort of being warm as the temperature drops, they have the potential to be dangerous if worn by your children under their car seats. In the event of a car crash, winter jackets can compress down leaving extra space for your child to move around, maybe even out of the car seat!

Dayton Children’s wants your children to be both safe and warm. Check out our tips on how to check if your child’s jacket is too bulky to wear under their car seat and what to do if it is. 

7 steps to check if your child’s jacket is too bulky to keep on while in their car seat.

1. Put the jacket on your child.
2. Buckle your child into the car seat.
3. Tighten the harness straps until you are not able to pinch any excess webbing.
4. Unbuckle, but don't loosen, the harness straps.
5. Take your child out of his or her jacket.
6. Buckle your child back into the car seat - but this time do not tighten the harness.
7. Check the harness for proper fit. Can you pinch any of the webbing? If you can, the jacket allows too much slack and isn't a safe option for keeping your little one warm. The same would hold true for snowsuits or buntings that you might have for littler ones.

So, you tested your child’s jacket and it’s too bulky, what do you do now?

Here are some alternatives to keeping your child warm while also keeping them safe in the car!

• Have your child wear the jacket backward! After you have secured your child in the car seat with the chest clip at armpit level and harness pulled snug, put your child's coat on backward tucking the hood down inside and tuck the edges behind your child's arms. This way his or her front will be nice and warm but won't interfere with the car seat harness.
• Use a bathrobe or poncho! A warm bathrobe, wearable blanket or poncho can be used. After securing your child in the car seat with the chest clip at armpit level and harness pulled snug, cover him or her up and tuck in the sides.
• Choose wisely! Avoid using any products that are designed to line the car seat under your child - most car seat manufacturers do not allow them.

Check out these websites for more information on how winter jacket and car seat safety:

• American Academy of Pediatrics: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Winter-Car-Seat-Safety-Tips.aspx
• Safe Kids Worldwide: https://www.safekids.org/blog/ask-expert-winter-coats-and-car-seats
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): https://www.nhtsa.gov/keep-your-little-ones-warm-and-safe-their-car-seats

Stay safe and warm out there!