Winter Travel Tips: Car Seat Safety with Coats

As the colors of fall give way to a winter wonderland, keeping children safe and warm during travels becomes a top priority for every parent. When temperatures drop, we naturally want to wrap our little ones in thick layers to help keep them nice and cozy. However, bulky clothing can pose a problem when it comes to car seats

At Britax, our goal is to help you protect what matters most; which means keeping your little ones both warm and safe. Let’s take a closer look at car seat safety with coats so you can plan for your winter travels with confidence.

Harness Tightness: Why It Matters

5-point car seat harnesses are designed to keep your child secure in their seat and help protect them from crash forces in the event of a collision. For the harness to perform as intended it must fit snugly over your child without slack.

An effective way to test car seat harness tightness is to perform the Pinch Test:

1. Secure your child in the car seat. Fasten and tighten the harness as you normally would.
2. Try to pinch the harness strap vertically at your child’s collarbone using your thumb and index finger.
3. A snug fit means you cannot pinch any excess webbing. If you can, the harness isn’t tight enough.

The Problem with Bulky Winter Clothing

While your child may appear to be snug in their car seat while wearing a winter coat, the bulky fabric can create slack in the harness straps and leave them too loose. In the event of a collision, the coat fabric can compress under the harness and potentially increase the risk to your child. To help keep your child safe in their car seat and ensure that the harness performs as intended, you should remove thick and bulky coats before securing your child with the harness.

Checking Your Child's Coat

To determine if your child’s coat is too bulky for their car seat:

1. Secure them in the seat with the coat on.
2. Properly tighten the harness and perform the Pinch Test.
3. WITHOUT loosening or adjusting the harness, remove your child from the seat and take their coat off.
4. Secure your child in their seat once again. Buckle the harness WITHOUT tightening it. Perform the Pinch Test again.

If the harness passes the pinch test without the coat, then the coat is acceptable. If the harness does not pass the Pinch Test after the coat has been removed, then the coat is too bulky and should not be worn under the harness.

Warm Alternatives for Chilly Rides

So, if your child’s coat is too bulky, how can you ensure that they stay warm while properly secured in their car seat? Here are a few suggestions:

1. If your baby is still in an infant seat that doubles as a carrier, secure them in the seat before leaving the house. Then, place a coat or blanket over top of their car seat harness as you walk to the car.
2. For older children who are in convertible or all-in-one seats, secure the harness over your child and then put their coat on backwards over top of the harness.
3. Place a warm blanket over your child once they’re safely harnessed in.
4. If possible, start up your vehicle a few minutes early so it can warm up. Ensure that your car is in an open space before you start up the engine.
5. See if there’s a compatible winter cover for your baby’s infant car seat. Many brands offer these covers to help provide a little extra warmth during the chilly season. Remember that you should only use covers and accessories that are specifically approved by your car seat's manufacturer. If there aren’t any compatible covers for your specific seat, use a blanket or the backwards coat method instead.

By placing your child’s coat over top of the harness, you’ll also have the option to easily remove it in case they get too warm after the heat starts circulating in your vehicle.

Other Winter Travel Tips

In addition to securing your child correctly and following best practices for car seat safety with coats, you can also help protect your little one during winter travels by:

1. Remembering to Look Before You Lock: While we often hear more about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles during the hot months, it’s crucial to be vigilant year-round. Commit to checking the back seat before you lock your vehicle every time to help keep your little one safe. Placing a visual reminder in the front seat, like a stuffed animal or a small toy, is a wonderful way to develop this habit.
2. Keeping Extra Winter Essentials in the Car: In your rush to get out the door, it can be all too easy to forget to grab a hat or mittens for your little one. Children can also easily lose winter accessories while you’re out and about. Before the weather gets too cold, put a few extra chilly weather essentials, including blankets, in your car to be prepared.
3. Tracking Winter Weather: Stay on top of local weather updates so you can prepare for snow or ice. Create a clear plan for who will pick up your children early from school or daycare in the event of inclement weather. If grandparents, a babysitter, or another family friend is responsible for pickup, take time to review best practices for winter car seat safety with them.

With these strategies for navigating winter travel, you can help ensure your children are comfortable without compromising their security. Let's make every wintry weather journey a safe, warm, and memorable experience for our youngest travelers.