Winter is here. Or at least Arizona’s version of winter. And that means pants, sweaters and jackets for our little ones. While we always want to do the best and provide the warmest, safest and most loving car ride that we can offer.

Winter Car Seat Safety Tips

But we may be actually inadvertently offering more harm than safety due to how we keep our kids warm and secured in their car seats. By now, you have undoubtedly heard me preach about the correct car seat harness tightness and chest clip location for maximum safety. Due to heavier winter jackets, extra care is needed to keep our kids safe.

Winter jackets are so big and bulky that they can allow children to slide out of the jacket and out of the harness restraints due to the fact that the straps cannot be cinched down tight enough. We rarely pay enough attention to how tight we pull the straps (80%+ are not tight enough) and the problem is only compounded in the winter. Keeping kids warm is important and going outside to the car is usually a short trip, so follow these steps to helps keep Junior safe.

• Layer your child in several tighter fitting shirts
• Wrap them loosely in a blanket while they are headed out to/from the vehicle
• Remove their bulky jacket and/or blanket, then
• Buckle your child up normally, sans jacket
• Put the jacket on OVER the harness.

The back of the jacket will be covering your child’s chest and lap (not to mention look odd); but this will keep your child safe and secure and warm in their car seat in the brutal Arizona winter. Be sure to reference the picture for a simple 3-step approach to winter safety.

Stay safe my friends.  Please print off the attached graphic to use as a reference.

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‘Safety Nick’, as he is affectionately known, is the owner and operator of Home Hazard Prevention, LLC (HHP).  As a professional firefighter in the Valley since 2005 with an extensive background in responding to and preventing emergencies, Nick felt that it was time to help the citizens of Maricopa and Pinal Counties learn how to be safe and protect their loved ones in a proactive manner.  In 2012, HHP was launched.  With the support of his wonderful (and understanding!) wife and two beautiful children, Nick works tireless hours, not only to help save your family’s lives, as a firefighter and a community safety expert, but also to be able to spend quality time with his family.  Nick moved to Arizona over 20 years ago and enjoys exploring our great state with his family.

Be sure to contact Home Hazard Prevention for any of your family or business safety needs. From mobile CPR training to car seat education to infant safety (and much more!) HHP is here to help! Remember, a complete safety program does not have to be expensive or time-consuming. There is no one more qualified than a group of professional firefighters to keep your family safe! (480) 448-0266 or Nick@HomeHazardPrevention.com

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