Now that it's getting cold I'd like to remind everyone not to have their kids wear puffy or bulky coats in their cars seats or boosters. Although the harness or seat belt may *seem* snug the puffy insulation compresses during a crash, which equals a loose harness, which equals less crash protection. Polar fleece or thinsulate jackets are OK. When it gets really cold up here in New England my kids wear polar fleece jackets, buckle in, and then put their winter jackets on backwards over the harness or seat belt. A blanket on top is an option as well. Never put anything between the child and the car seat or the harness. There are nice infant seat covers that stretch over the top of the carrier.

Trina
Child Passenger Safety Technician

By Angellew on Monday, November 1, 2004 - 04:09 pm:

My DD will NOT wear a backward coat (tried it, didn't go over well)! But, we also keep a blanket in the car! I never thought about compression!!!

Thanks Trina!!!

By Pattyp on Monday, November 1, 2004 - 04:18 pm:

Thanks Trina!
I too am a CPST.
Great to remind everyone of safety!

-Patty

By Trina~moderator on Monday, November 1, 2004 - 05:35 pm:

Angela, I hear ya! It took awhile for my kids to get used to the idea. During those toddler years they refused or would throw it off as soon as I buckled myself in. Argh! Now they think it's funny and are happy to cooperate. LOL!

Patty, Welcome to Momsview! Glad to have another "car seat nerd" aboard!

By Boxzgrl on Monday, November 1, 2004 - 05:39 pm:

Thanks Trina, I would have never thought about it. DD carries her blankie everywhere anyways (Linus anyone? ) so we always have one in the car. I'll have to remember to take her heavier jackets off, that is if CA. ever sees cold weather!

By Dawnk777 on Monday, November 1, 2004 - 05:49 pm:

So, why didn't they have those stretchy cover things when my kids were little??? I never put them in snowsuits to go to the car, anyway, since if we were traveling a long way, the car got too warm too quickly and then we had a crabby kid. So, I would just throw a blanket over them while we walked to the car.

By My2cuties on Monday, November 1, 2004 - 11:43 pm:

I am so glad that we have Trina looking out for our kids..thanks! I remembered from last year, but it is always good to have a reminder, and some good ideas about the backward coats. Speaking of..I can't believe winter is just around the corner. WOW!

By Emily7 on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 - 11:40 am:

BUMP!

By Amyj on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 - 04:11 pm:

Trina, I have a car seat question. My car can fit three across the back. I have two children and take a third to school each day. My problem is this: I am trying to figure out how to put all the car seats in. My four year old needs to be in the 5 point seat and the other two are in boosters. I read on our booster seat that it should be with a shoulder strap, not a middle seat lap belt. I am trying to figure out a way to put the 5 point seat on the outside and the booster in the middle. If I put my daughter in the middle, she and my son fight and touch each other everytime they are in the car! Does any of this make sense? Are there any booster seats that are okay to use the lap belt with? Thank you for your help!

By Rayanne on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 - 04:23 pm:

Thanks for the reminder. I wish that we were in coller weather here. It is still so darn hot and it's NOVEMBER!!!!!!AHHHHHHH!!!!

LOL Melissa, Rylee has a blankie that she carries everywhere too. I'm thinking about buying another one just incase something happens to this one.

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 - 04:54 pm:

Amyj, If you have a lap belt only in the center rear of your car the easiest option for your scenario is to put the boosters outboard and the 5 pt. harnessed seat in the middle. All boosters MUST have both a lap and shoulder belt. There are no recommended boosters that only require a lap belt. (Shield booster seats are no longer recommended.)

More info:
Dangers of Shield Boosters

This is why boosters require both a lap and shoulder belt.
Lap Belt Dangers

Melissa & Rayanne, both my kids have special blankets. When they were little the blankets went EVERYWHERE. Now they just sleep with them. One of DS's nicknames is Linus.