Winter coats and seat safety

Keeping Kids Warm & Safe: The Truth About Coats and Car Seats

Getting kids dressed for winter is always a challenge—multiple layers, scarves, and thick coats are essential for keeping them warm outside. But when it comes to car travel, those bulky layers can pose a serious safety risk.

Car interiors take time to warm up, and it’s tempting to leave children wrapped up in their winter gear, especially for short trips. However, this can compromise the effectiveness of their car seat harness, putting them at risk in the event of an accident.

Why Thick Coats & Car Seats Don’t Mix

Most car seat manufacturers—including us at Multimac—advise against puffy coats or snowsuits in car seats. Here’s why:

🚨 Extra padding creates a dangerous gap – Winter coats are insulated with materials like down or polyester, which add bulk between your child and the harness. Even if you tighten the straps over the coat, the padding compresses on impact, leaving the harness too loose to properly restrain your child.

🚨 The gap could be inches wide – Try this test:

1. Buckle your child into their car seat wearing their winter coat and tighten the harness as usual.
2. Unbuckle them without adjusting the straps.
3. Remove the coat and buckle them in again.
4. Notice the space between their body and the harness? That gap can be the difference between safety and serious injury in a crash.

🚨 Risk of ejection – In a collision, the coat’s padding flattens, and your child can slip through the loosened harness. In extreme cases, they could be thrown from their seat entirely.

The bottom line? A properly secured harness must fit snugly against your child’s body—without thick layers in the way.

Safe & Warm Alternatives to Winter Coats in Car Seats

1. The Road Coat – A Smart Solution

One of the best ways to keep your child warm and safe is by using a Road Coat—a winter jacket designed specifically for car seat use.

✔ Two-layer design – A thin inner layer allows the harness to be tightened properly, while the outer insulated layer zips over the harness for warmth.
✔ No added bulk under the straps – Works just like strapping them in with a regular T-shirt.
✔ Crash-tested for safety – Provides warmth without compromising the harness fit.

2. Car Seat Blankets – A Cozy Alternative

For younger children or those who dislike coats, car seat blankets are a great alternative.

✔ Harness-friendly design – These blankets have slots for the harness, allowing them to be secured without interfering with safety straps.
✔ Stay in place – Unlike loose blankets that can be kicked off, car seat blankets are designed to keep kids warm throughout the journey.
✔ Perfect for infants – Ideal for babies who need extra warmth but shouldn’t wear bulky layers in their seat.

3. Layering for Safety

If you don’t have a Road Coat or car seat blanket, dressing your child in warm but thin layers is the next best option.

✔ Base layer: Long-sleeved tops, thermal leggings, or fleece pajamas.
✔ Mid-layer: A thin fleece or hoodie for added warmth.
✔ Outer warmth: After securing the harness, drape a blanket over them or put their coat on backwards over their arms for extra insulation.

Why Not Just Use a Normal Blanket or Thin Jacket?

While you can use a regular blanket or thin jacket, specialized products like Road Coats and car seat blankets are safety-tested.

✔ Peace of mind – They’re designed to work with car seats, ensuring proper harness fit.
✔ No slipping off – Blankets stay in place or zip over the harness, so your child stays warm the entire trip.
✔ Less distraction for parents – No more pulling over because your child threw their blanket off!

Final Thoughts: Warmth & Safety Go Hand-in-Hand

When it comes to keeping your child safe in the car, proper harness fit is non-negotiable. A puffy coat might seem like a small thing, but in a crash, every centimeter of slack in the harness matters.

By choosing a Road Coat, car seat blanket, or safe layering techniques, you can keep your child warm without sacrificing safety. No more struggling with bulky coats, no more tossing blankets on and off—just a safer, smoother, and warmer car ride for everyone.

What’s not to love? 🚗❄️💙