JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As temperatures dip around the First Coast, parents naturally want to bundle up their children to keep them warm.
But, if you have a child still in a car seat, beware of the risks that comes with dressing them in puffy coats or a thicker jacket. The American Academy of Pediatrics says puffy coats should not be worn by children or babies in a car seat.
In the event of a crash, the padding in the jackets will compress, creating space between the body and the harness. That gives the child’s body more room to move in the seat and even as little as six millimeters of extra movement can lead to brain, neck or spine injuries in a crash.
Instead, parents should use a light fleece jacket or blanket if the child is over the age of 1, or even put on the winter coat backwards over the buckled harness straps to keep your child warm while in the car.