Parents have received urgent reminders that the cold weather is approaching and that winter coats will be put on.
Safety experts warn of the dangers of children wearing winter coats when driving.
It’s probably something we’ve all done, but it actually covers a hidden risk.
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While it feels like your child is buckled up tightly, the coat can hide dangerously loose straps.
As reported by the MEN, security experts have produced a video to highlight the risk and explain why wearing a coat is such a risk.
Crash tests have shown how a child dummy falls out of its seat in a simulated crash at 50 km / h.
Good Egg Safety’s video shows a young boy strapped into a seat while wearing his coat.
After taking off your coat and putting on the straps, they are suddenly dangerously loose.
A woman demonstrates the best way to safely seat a child in a car seat
(Image: ABC News)
Margaret Bolt, Car Seat Expert at Good Egg Safety, explains, “Without adjusting the belt and re-locking the buckle, you can see how much movement these belts have and how much slack they actually have.
“Now, if you’re wearing a winter coat in a car seat and the car is involved in an accident, all of the padding in the coat will be compressed and so the harnesses are effectively loose and the child could be thrown out of the seat.”
Rather than actually tucking children in their coats, parents and caregivers are encouraged to buckle up their children and place either the coat or a blanket over the child to keep them warm.
The advice is not only aimed at children, but also applies to adults, as experts say they shouldn’t wear a winter coat while driving or driving.
Julie Dagnall of Child Seat Safety Ltd in Leyland said, “When winter approaches it is very tempting to wrap our children in big warm coats in the car, but this can prevent the seat belt or shield from fitting properly over the child and can cause the child to be thrown out of the car seat in the event of an impact.
The straps should be taut
(Image: ABC News)
“It’s always best to remember to put on indoor clothing in the car, pull the seat belt snugly, and keep it as close to your skin as possible.
“If you think you’re getting cold, put a blanket or your coat over it. Just check that the car seat is working properly and that they are not overheating, especially if they are small babies. “
Nick Lloyd, Road Safety Manager at RoSPA, agreed, adding, “When a child is wearing a thick jacket or body, the belt cannot be strapped tightly around the child, which means it is not in the right place and especially not snug enough for the child’s body.
“In the event of an accident, the belt has to compress the jacket before it can hold the child back.
“This significantly reduces the safety of the seat and it is therefore not recommended to wear thick jackets or bodysuits.”
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