Parents have been receiving conflicting advice recently about the dangers of children wearing coats in car seats. On the one hand, the latest information has indicated that wearing a coat in a car seat could pose a serious risk to children because that extra space that it could create could mean that the child is not strapped in tightly. In this sense, “puffy” coats may prevent your child from receiving the protection that they need. If children are cold, placing a jacket over them after they’ve been strapped into the car seat would offer better protection. However, some meteorologists are concerned that telling parents not to keep coats on their children in the winter could have dangerous consequences. Understanding the different car seat dangers will keep your child safe this holiday season.
Car Seat Dangers Parents Should Know About
The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends removing a child’s coat before putting them in their car seat because coats and other bulky clothing can increase the chance of injury in a crash.
However, some experts are concerned that parents might become so frightened that they neglect to keep their child warm enough in inclement weather, with severe consequences. This is especially the case for families that might be out in rural areas where help might not be able to reach them quickly. In those instances, it is possible that people–and children–could end up dying of hypothermia rather than other accident injuries.
Perhaps what makes the most sense is for children to wear non-puffy coats that still allow them to be securely strapped into their car seats while also staying warm.
What about Manufacturers?
Some have also recommended that car seat and vehicle manufacturers produce products that are easier for consumers to use safely. In fact, surveyors found that 95 percent of parents made at least one error in car seat positioning and installation, most of them serious errors. The most common errors made involved:
- Loose harness
- Loose car seat installation
- Low chest clip
- Incorrect recline angle
Each year, car accidents result in approximately 8,500 infants ending up in the hospital and emergency rooms, with 135 of those resulting in deaths. When used properly, car seats are supposed to reduce the risk of infant death by over 70 percent. In order to improve installation and use and prevent car seat dangers, manufacturers could make both the product and its manual more user-friendly, as many people have experienced difficulties in understanding how to use them properly.
Contact Our Attorneys for Help
Every year, thousands of adults and children are seriously injured and killed in car accidents. That is why car seat safety is so important. While some of the accidents are unavoidable—particularly when they are the fault of another driver—ensuring that your child is safe in the case of an accident is the entire purpose of using a car seat.
The auto accident attorneys at Harrell & Nowak have helped many victims throughout Louisiana obtain financial compensation for their injuries. Our personal injury lawyers will work to ensure that your rights are protected and that your financial needs are met if you or your loved ones have been injured. Contact us today for a free consultation.