In this Blog Post we discuss our top tips for keeping your little ones safe in their child seats during the bad weather.
Here in the Uk and Ireland we are no strangers to the cold weather no matter what season we're in.
Never use coats, snowsuits or thick clothing while your child is in their child car seat. This can be dangerous because it does not allow you to pull the harness as tight to your child’s body as it should be. This can lead to your child’s harness slipping off their shoulders in the event of a collision.
It is safe for your child to wear thin layers in their car seat. While we don’t recommend the likes of thick coats, if it is cold, you can use a blanket over the top of the harnesses to keep your little ones warm.
Your car can get very warm when the heating is on, so you need to be cautious about the possible risk of overheating. When using a blanket, keep it loose enough that it can be pulled off by yourself or kicked off by your little one.
You must check your child’s harness is tight enough to their body on every journey. You should be able to place two fingers on your child’s collarbone and no more. If there is movement here, you must tighten the harness and check again.
You should always check your child’s car seat is also tightly and correctly installed every so often. This is most important when it comes to car seats installed using a seatbelt or tethers as over time, these can become loose, especially as your child gets heavier. This is relevant no matter what time of the year it may be.
Always make sure your car is serviced and all oil levels, lights, batteries, and tyres are regularly checked. It is also advisable to carry some items in case of the event of a breakdown, such as:
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- Warm clothing and a blanket
- High-visibility vest
- Practical footwear such as wellie boots
- A warning triangle
- Torch and batteries
- De-icer and ice scraper
- Mobile phone charger
- Bottled water and some snacks.
As with any time of the year, we always recommend keeping an eye on your child’s weight and height, to make sure they haven’t outgrown their current seat. If they have, they must move on to the next stage of car seat. If you need help with this, please get in touch with our team who can help find the perfect child car seat for you.
You can book an in-store or phone consultation here.
