Ozaukee County, WI — With cold weather arriving across Wisconsin, the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office is reminding parents about an important but often overlooked winter safety issue: thick, puffy coats can make car seats unsafe for children.
While heavy jackets help keep kids warm outdoors, they also create hidden space between the child and the car seat harness. In the event of a crash, that extra padding compresses, leaving previously snug straps suddenly too loose—significantly increasing the risk of a child being ejected from their seat.
The safer approach, according to the Sheriff’s Office and the American Academy of Pediatrics, is simple: dress your child in thin, warm layers, buckle them securely, then place a blanket or their coat over the harness. This keeps children warm without compromising the fit of the car seat.
They also shared a quick test that shows just how big a difference winter coats make:
- Buckle your child in with their winter coat on.
- Without adjusting the straps, remove the child and take off the coat.
- Place them back in the seat.
- Notice how loose the straps suddenly are — even though nothing was changed.
The Sheriff’s Office calls the test “eye-opening,” urging families to take the extra minute each time they travel. According to child safety experts, properly tightened straps are critical, and parents should not be able to pinch any slack in the harness.
Families are also reminded to avoid placing blankets under children or adding aftermarket padding not included with the original seat.
As Wisconsin heads deeper into cold weather season, officials hope this reminder helps prevent injuries and keeps children safer on the road. Parents can learn more at healthychildren.org.
