Keep Your Little Ones Safe This Winter
Aspirus Health Advises Against Puffy Coats in Car Seats
12/11/2024
Dr. Jaime Oswald, Aspirus Family Medicine Physician
As winter approaches
and temperatures drop, parents and caregivers are prioritizing warmth and
safety for their children. However, a common winter staple—puffy coats—may pose
unexpected dangers when combined with car seats.
Jaime
Oswald, MD, Aspirus Family Medicine Physician and Safe Kids Wisconsin (SKW)
provides essential guidance for securely bundling and buckling children during
the colder months.
“While puffy coats
are designed to keep kids warm, they create extra space between your child and
the car seat straps,” Dr. Oswald warns. “Even if you think you’ve cinched the
straps tightly, there may be a significant gap due to the bulk of the coat.”
According to SKW, a
puffy coat can add up to four inches of slack to car seat harness straps. This
extra space increases the risk of a child sliding around in their seat during a
car accident, undermining the primary purpose of car seats.
To ensure warmth
without compromising safety, Dr. Oswald recommends parents opt for lighter,
thinner layers such as sweaters that maintain a snug fit with the car seat
straps. Additionally, hats, gloves, boots, and blankets can be used for added
warmth once the child is securely strapped in.
“A practical rule of
thumb is to dress your child in what you’re wearing, plus an extra layer,” Dr.
Oswald suggests. For example, if a parent wears a jacket, the child can wear a
jacket along with a hat, ensuring both warmth and safety.
Aspirus Health also
recommends SKW’s simple coat check method. After strapping the child into the
car seat with their coat on, parents can remove the coat without adjusting the
straps and then 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,” Dr. Oswald adds.
By adopting these
alternative clothing options and following recommended safety measures, parents
can ensure their little ones remain securely fastened and protected from
winter’s chill and the hazards posed by puffy coats in car seats.
For more information
on passenger safety, visit www.aspirus.org/passenger-safety.
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