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Published on Tuesday, Jan 08, 2008
Could winter coats be hazardous to a child's health?
When it comes to car seats, the answer may be yes, according to various governmental agencies and health experts.
Transport Canada recently warned that parents should remove thick, puffy winter coats from their babies and toddlers before buckling them into car seats. The Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority of Reno, Nevada, has been suggesting the same thing for a couple of years.
''For car seats or booster seats to function properly, the straps need to remain tight against the child's chest,'' REMSA says on its Web site. ''Winter coats and snowsuits make car seat safety difficult because they change the way a child fits into the car seat. . . . The filling in thick coats and snowsuits will compress in an accident. When the car seat straps don't fit securely against the child, there is a chance the child may be ejected from the car seat or that there will be just enough space between the child and the straps to cause serious neck and head injuries.''
So what's a parent to do?
''To keep your baby the safest, 'always remove bulky clothing or blankets before you place the child in the seat. Then, put the blanket or coat over the baby,'' said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
To see whether your child's winter wear is too thick, REMSA suggests putting the child in the car seat while wearing the coat, adjusting the straps and buckling the harness. Then, take the child out, take off the coat and buckle him back into the seat. If you can now fit more than one finger under the harness at the child's collarbone, then the coat is too thick and is not safe to use with the car seat.
Other suggestions:
• For babies in an infant seat, dress them warmly in normal clothes, such as a shirt, sweat shirt, long pants and a hat. Buckle the child into the infant seat, then cover the baby with a light blanket tucked around the sides.
• Once the harnesses are secure, put the child's coat on backwards over their arms to keep them warm without compromising safety.
• Whenever possible, warm up your car before putting the baby in the vehicle.
• When buying winter coats, keep thickness and car seat safety in mind. Polar fleece jackets are warm but thin.
• Never buckle a blanket under the seat straps.
Grief after the holidays
The holidays are over. But that doesn't mean the grief of losing a loved one has passed.
For those who are still struggling with loss, Hospice of VNS Bereavement Support will offer ''After the Holidays . . . Now What?'' The program will focus on overcoming the low feelings sometimes experienced after significant holidays.
The free program is being offered from 2:30 to 4 p.m. or 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at the Hospice of VNS Care Center, 3358 Ridgewood Road, Copley
Township.
Hospice of VNS will also be offering its Trusted Sharing Series, an eight-week series of classes for those who wish to learn what they might experience during the grieving process. Group members share their stories, emotions, victories and hopes, and receive information on the grieving process, along with tools for handling the normal grief response.
The free series will begin from 2 to 4 p.m. or 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hospice of VNS Care Center, 3358 Ridgewood Road, Copley Township.
Enrollment is limited for both programs. To register, or for more information, call 330-668-4662 or 800-335-1455, Ext. 4662.
Tracy Wheeler can be reached at 330-996-3721 or tawheeler@thebeaconjournal.com.
Could winter coats be hazardous to a child's health?
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