The dangers of puffy jackets: how to keep young children warm and safe in the car

As temperatures plunge across the country and we're greeted with the first signs of snow, it becomes ever more important to keep your little one wrapped up warm. 

When taking car journeys, however, winter jackets are not your friend. Do not be fooled into thinking that it's okay to leave puffy and heavy jackets on in the car. 

In the event of a car accident, the air-filled puffy jacket or snowsuit will deflate, leaving the child at greater risk of harm. 

When dressing young children in puffy clothes, you cannot compress the air out of the jackets, no matter how tightly you pull the car seat straps. In a crash, that force is far stronger. 

The average thickness added by a winter jacket is 4 inches; it may not seem like much but it can make a huge difference. 

With looser straps due to winter coats, the child is far more at risk of head and chest injuries. 

Dr. Baer, also known as  The Car Seat Lady, recommends dressing the child in two to four snug thin layers. Instead of the jacket, try a tight-fitting fleece jacket.

Then, once the child has been buckled in, keep them warm using blankets or the big jacket tucked over the straps. 

It also decreases the likelihood of them overheating in longer journeys.

This warning also applies to in-seat sleeping bags. Dr. Baer also says to keep a winter coat in the car at all times in case of a breakdown. 

It may seem scary at first, but don't worry, it's easy to get the hang of. 

With car crashes one of the leading causes of child fatalities, we owe it to our little ones, and ourselves, to make sure they're safe and happy this winter.