A little known danger of winter driving arises when bulky and loose-fitting winter jackets prevent seatbelts from fitting snuggly around children. The additional layers worn during the winter prevent the seatbelt from cinching into place and holding a child tightly against the seat. Instead, the added bulk creates areas where the seatbelt can only fit loosely against the body. This creates a danger in the event of a collision because a child can more easily slip through the seatbelt which is kept loose due to the bulky winter clothing.

Indeed, Transport Canada spokesperson Barnary Baines explained that,

Unfortunately during a collision, because there is compressing material, the weight of the child and the force of the collision is going to push that suit down - which is going to make the harness loose ... [which] is going make it possible for ejection.

Instead of dressing the children in bulky winter coats and snowsuits for car rides, Transport Canada suggested that caregivers have their children wear fleece sweaters and use blankets for winter car rides. A good rule of thumb, Ms. Baines suggested, is that the seatbelts should be tight enough that parents cannot fit more than one finger beneath the chest harness.

AAA spokesperson Lilla S. Mason echoed the concerns related to bulky winter jackets rendering seatbelts less effective for children,

Parents should buckle their kids in car seats and seat belts without jackets first, then either tuck a blanket around them or have kids lay their jackets on their laps or wear them backwards. Seat belts need to be fitted to the passenger, not the jacket.

Consumer Reports also noted the additional safety concerns specific to winter coats and car seats. In order to determine whether a coat results in too loose a car seat harness, Emily A. Thomas suggests adjusting the harness around the child with the jacket on, and again with the jacket off. If the harness as adjusted for the jacket can be pinched between the thumb and forefinger when the jacket is off, the jacket is too big and should not be worn under the harness.

Several alternatives will allow children to ride comfortably in the winter without the dangers posed by wearing a puffy winter jacket or snowsuit under the seatbelt. These include:

  • Taking the time to warm up the car before the drive. If the car is fully warmed up, passengers will be able to ride comfortably in the car with a properly tightened seatbelt without wearing a winter jacket. This will avoid the danger of a loose-fitting seatbelt altogether.
  • Wearing the coat backwards. The seatbelt is buckled against the child and the coat is put on backwards over the child to keep him or her warm.
  • Keeping the coat open and buckling the seatbelt inside the coat. This will allow the seatbelt and particularly the chest harness to fit more snuggly against the child.
  • Using a blanket over the seatbelt. Tucking a blanket over the child and seatbelt will help keep him or her warm while allowing the seatbelt to be properly tightened.

Keeping warm is of course important in the winter, but doing so safely is crucial. Next time you are fastening a seatbelt around a child, make sure the seatbelt is not kept loose by bulky or puffy winter clothes.

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