Take Your Child’s Winter Jacket Off In The Car – Here’s Why

The frigid winter months are upon us and everyone is bundled up in a big bulky jacket that will keep us nice and toasty warm.  That goes for your child too who needs protection from the cold just as much as you do.  So why would we suggest removing her/his jacket when they get into the car for a car ride?

In the event that you are in a Connecticut auto accident with your child, he/she may get jostled from their car seat which could cause a serious injury or even worse.  If the child is not properly buckled in the car seat the seat becomes unsafe and could lead to the child slipping out of the buckle and causing a bad injury.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) a bulky coat on a child who is buckled into a car seat can cause the buckle to not fit tightly on the child’s body.  If a vehicle got into an accident the loose fitting buckle on the car seat could have a devastating impact.  

When thinking about how to get your child safely seated in a car seat during the winter months there are two things you can do.

1. Choose a thinner jacket that still offers the same amount of warmth while also allowing the child’s buckle to fit snugly on their body.    
2. Remove the child’s bulky jacket when she/he is riding in the car seat.  While this may cause some momentary discomfort in having the child be cold until the car warms up, it may protect her/his life in the long run.

Most parents have had the experience of battling a child to get them into a car seat at one time or another.  While it may be frustrating or difficult to convince a child that they need to remove their winter coat before getting into a cold car seat, it is the right thing to do to keep the child safe and secure in the car seat in the event of an emergency.

Getting into a Connecticut auto accident with a child in the car can be traumatic for both the parent and the child.  It can be made less severe by buckling your child in the car properly and making sure that the buckle is fastened tightly.  While an injury may still occur it is likely to be less severe with the proper buckle.

When your child is buckled properly in her/his car seat accidents may become less severe, but if she/he is injured you may need to speak with an attorney who can work with you to protect your long-term interests.  Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your case.