Worried your kids will be cold in the car with out their coats? We can help.

Posted on December 6, 2018 in Our Community, Tips From The Pros

Winter is a tricky time for car seats. With the cold New England weather, it’s important to bundle up the family. But all those layers can be dangerous in the car, especially for kids still in car seats. Most parents know that wearing winter coats while driving can be dangerous for their little ones, but keeping them warm can be a challenge. With that in mind, we wanted to share a few tips to help you keep your little ones safe and warm on the road. Here are our top four:

Get an early start.

You should always warm up your car in cold temperatures but it’s especially important when you have little ones without coats. Ideally, you should start your car 10 to 15 minutes before heading out of the driveway, with the heating system on full blast, so that your car is warm enough for your little ones in the back seat. If you have a garage be sure to pull your car out into your driveway, before starting the engine. Plus, making time to start your car will give you a few extra minutes when wintry conditions require you to clean off the car, or slow your usual commute.

Store the carrier in the house.

Keeping the carrier seat of infant car seats inside the house when not in use is highly recommended. While some parents like to store it in the car to keep it out of the way, having it in the house will keep the seat at room temperature; this will help to reduce the loss of the child's body heat in the car and make your little one more comfortable as they adjust to the cold.

Dress your child in layers.

As a general rule of thumb, infants and children should wear one more layer than adults. If you have a hat and a coat on, your child will probably need a hat, coat, and blanket. When driving in very cold weather, it’s important to utilize hats, mittens, and socks or booties. These help keep kids warm without interfering with car seat straps. You can also add a coat or blanket over the top of the harness straps, or you put your child's winter coat on backwards (over the buckled harness straps) after he or she is buckled up. Some parents prefer products such as poncho-style coats or jackets that zip down the sides so the back can flip forward over the harness. Keep in mind that, if the item did not come with the car seat, it has not been crash-tested and may interfere with the protection provided in a crash.

At V&F

...we strive to provide our customers with a well-rounded knowledge of all things automotive. Since 1988, our family owned and operated service center has been providing top quality auto repair services to Agawam, Feeding Hills, Southwick, West Springfield and the surrounding Massachusetts communities. If your car needs maintenance or repair during the winter season, call us at (413)314-2280 or schedule an appointment online.