Wearing a winter coat in a car seat could put your child’s life at risk. Here’s why

Colder weather means heavy clothes and warm coats, but the American Academy of Pediatrics says that is not the safest option for your child if they are going to be riding in a car seat.

They recommend that the child should dress in multiple thin layers to allow the harness to lie as flat against your child’s chest as possible.

If you put a child wearing a coat or thick, warm clothes into a car seat the fluffy padding of the coat may flatten out when force is applied to it leaving a space under the harness.

According to a report from the Center for Disease Prevention and Control states that car crashes are the leading cause of death among children in the U.S. and about half of child restraint systems are used incorrectly.

“An estimated 46% of car and booster seats (59% of car seats and 20% of booster seats) are misused in a way that could reduce their effectiveness,” a report from the CDC states.

In addition to not having your child wear a heavy coat or clothing in a car or booster seat, here are a few more tips for surviving the cold weather in a car with your child:

• Store the carrier inside so that your baby isn’t in a cold seat for long - Keeping the seat at room temperature will prevent your child from losing body heat once seated in the car seat.

• Have your child wear a hat, gloves and thick shoes and socks - This is a good way to keep your kid warm while not interfering with the safety of the car seat.

• Use a coat or blanket over-top to help keep your baby warm - As long as the thick layers are not underneath of the safety straps, this is a good way to keep your child warm in the car.

• Have an emergency bag packed and ready to go in your car, just in case - Keep dry clothes, blankets and snacks in your car in case of an on-road emergency.

The American Academy of Pediatrics also points out that while these tips are targeted at children in car seats and booster seats, they also apply to older children and adults as well.

Make sure to take your coat off before putting a seat belt on to ensure that it is as effective as it can be.

This story was originally published January 20, 2018 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Wearing a winter coat in a car seat could put your child’s life at risk. Here’s why."