Winter Child Seat Safety: “Strap Before You Wrap”

Bundling your child up, before you head out on the road can actually reduce their safety.

Strapping your child into their car seat while wearing a winter coat can have deadly consequences.

Snowsuits and other puffy jackets prevent car seats from tightening properly.
 
“So in a car accident, that snow suit material compresses to just about nothing leaving excess room in the harness, so that children and babies could get possibly ejected,” said Elizabeth Oestreich of Safe Kids Fargo-Moorhead.
 
Oestreich says one tip is key.
 
Strapping before wrapping is the best way to keep your child safe and warm.
 
“You put the child in first and then you layer over it. You can use a receiving blanket over the car seat; first you put the baby in, then buckle the harness, then you can use a receiving blanket,” said Oestreich.

Jill Roaldson of Moorhead says when it comes to her 4-year-old daughter’s safety, she always straps and then wraps.
 
“Her winter jacket is so big and puffy. You especially notice that because if you try to put them in there, there’s so much extra room if you try to pop them in there next time,” Jill Roaldson of Moorhead.
 
She says taking the extra time is worth the risk.
 
“It may take a little extra time, and they might be a little extra stubborn, but I can mean it’s a matter of them being safe and surviving an accident,” said Jill.

Safe Kids also says it’s best to warm up your car before bringing your baby outside, and to leave winter clothes in your vehicle.