First aid worker reveals why the ‘no coats on in the car rule’ needs to be enforced

You should never buckle your child into a car seat while they’re wearing a jacket, first aid experts warn.

The car seat warning is one to keep in mind in the winter months. Image: CPR Kids

Coats and other bulky clothing could put children at risk of being thrown from the seat in a crash.

The outerwear creates a gap between kids and the harness, which can cause slack when the clothes compress.

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The car seat warning is one to keep in mind in the winter months. Image: CPR Kids

Car safety warning for winter

In a video posted on Instagram, experts CPR Kids warned this can lead to serious injury if you are in an accident.

They said: “Large jackets, jumpers, and other winter clothing can add a large amount of bulk to an infant, creating a ‘buffer’ between the child and the harness straps. 

“In the event of an accident, the clothing materials can compress, creating slack in the harness straps.

“This increases the risk of injury, and can even lead to little ones being thrown from their car seat. 

“Car seats are designed to be tightly attached to the vehicle and the child attached tightly to the car seat, anything that interferes with that increases injury.⁠”

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How jackets can be dangerous 

In the video, CPR Kids show how slack seat belts can be if you buckle your child in with a jacket on.

An expert places the child in the seat and buckles the seat belt in around it.

They then take the child out, removes their jacket and puts them back in, with the seat belt set at the same tightness as when they were wearing the outerwear.

They slide their arm under the seat belt to show how loose it would have been if they were wearing the jacket, and tighten the belt to the child’s body. 

They said: “Straps should always be tight enough so that they are unable to be pinched and gathered.”

Take the five-step seatbelt test

If you're unsure if your child is big enough to transition from a booster seat into a regular seat belt, there's a handy five-step test you can take!

1. Back: Make sure their back is firmly against the seat back.
2. Knees: They should be able to bend comfortably over the front of the seat.
3. Lap belt: This should sit low across the top of their thighs.
4. Sash belt: This should sit across the middle of the shoulder.
5. Stay: Can your child stay in this position for the whole car trip?

If you can tick yes to all of those, your little (or not so little) one is most likely ready to lose the booster.

This article first appeared on The Sun and republished here with permission.

Originally published as First aid worker reveals why the ‘no coats on in the car rule’ needs to be enforced