Winter solutions to keep your child safe while traveling

While bundling your child up on a freezing day may seem like the best solution, putting them in a car seat with a puffy jacket may actually do more harm than good.

“You may think the harness is on tight but if you get into an accident, the impact will compress that clothing and make it unsafe for your child,” said Frank Till, executive director of the St. Joseph Safety Council. “We always recommend dressing your children in layers such as a long-sleeved shirt, long-sleeved pants, mittens and a hat.”

To ensure warmth, parents should place a blanket over the child after buckling them into the car seat.

In addition, the “pinch test” should always be performed when strapping your child into their seat. This works by tightening the harness until you aren’t able to pinch any excess strap between your thumb and forefinger.

According to the Missouri Child Passenger Safety Law, children ages four through seven, who weigh 40 pounds or or less must be in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat until they are 80 pounds or 4’9” tall.

The St. Joseph Safety Council offers car seat installment checks from a certified safety technician free of cost by scheduled appointments.

For more information, contact the St. Joseph Safety Council at (816)-233-3330.