Winter driving presents unique challenges for families. Between icy roads, reduced visibility, and bulky winter clothing, keeping children safe in the car requires extra attention during the colder months. Here’s what every parent needs to know about child car safety when temperatures drop.
One of the most common—and dangerous—winter car safety mistakes is buckling children into car seats while they’re wearing thick winter coats. Here’s why this matters: puffy coats compress dramatically in a crash, creating slack in the harness straps. That slack can allow a child to be ejected from their seat or suffer serious injuries.
The solution is simple: Remove your child’s coat before buckling them in. The harness should fit snugly against their body with no more than one finger’s width of slack. Once they’re securely buckled, you can place the coat backward over them like a blanket, or keep a thin fleece or blanket in the car for warmth.
To test if your child’s coat is too bulky, try this: Buckle them in with the coat on and tighten the straps. Remove the coat without loosening the straps, then put them back in the seat. If you can pinch the straps together, the coat is too thick for safe buckling.
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Winter weather doesn’t change the fundamentals of car seat safety, but it makes them more critical to follow correctly. Make sure your child is in the appropriate seat for their age, weight, and height. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping children rear-facing as long as possible, typically until at least age two or until they exceed the seat’s height and weight limits.
Check that your car seat installation is secure—it shouldn’t move more than an inch in any direction. Cold weather can sometimes affect the tension of installation straps, so it’s worth double-checking your installation as temperatures drop.
Before every trip, clear all snow and ice from your vehicle’s windows, mirrors, and lights. Never leave the car running unattended to warm up with children inside—this poses both carbon monoxide and security risks.
Keep your gas tank at least half full during winter months. If you become stranded, a running engine provides heat, and you’ll need that fuel reserve.
Every family vehicle should have a winter emergency kit that includes warm blankets, extra hats and mittens, non-perishable snacks, water, a flashlight with extra batteries, and a first aid kit. Include items to keep children occupied if you’re stuck waiting for help—books, small toys, or downloaded videos on a device can help keep kids calm in stressful situations.
Remember that the best car seat in the world can’t prevent a crash. Drive more slowly than usual in winter conditions, increase your following distance, and avoid sudden movements. If conditions are particularly treacherous, consider whether the trip is necessary at all.
Infant car seats present additional winter challenges. Never place blankets or padding underneath your baby—these compromise the harness fit just like puffy coats do. Instead, dress your baby in thin layers and tuck blankets around them after they’re buckled.
Be cautious about aftermarket car seat products marketed for warmth. Many haven’t been crash-tested with the seat and can interfere with its safety features. Stick with accessories made by your car seat’s manufacturer, or use simple blankets placed over the harness.
Winter car safety for children comes down to two key principles: proper restraint and preparation. By keeping coats out of the harness, maintaining your vehicle, and driving carefully in winter conditions, you can help ensure your most precious cargo arrives safely at every destination.
The extra few minutes it takes to remove coats and double-check installations could make all the difference. Winter brings enough challenges—make sure your child’s car seat isn’t one of them.
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