Here at The Mint Chip Mama we care about Winter Safety. A few weeks ago we shared some very important winter driving tips from our friends over at Kelley Blue Book. Today we want to share some winter car seat safety tips from our friends at Evenflo. I became a big fan of Evenflo when I started using their breast pump and love the philosophy of the company, so listen up!
With slick roads, icy conditions and heavy traffic, winter travel can be a difficult time on the road. This is especially true when traveling with young children. If you are like me, and travel with young children in their car seats at least twice a day, pay attention.
Sarah Haverstick, Evenflo’s Safety Advocate and certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, has come up with the below essential tips to ensure safe traveling with children this winter season.
1. The most important thing to remember each time you get in your car is to:
Remove your child’s bulky coat before placing him/her in the car seat.
Why? Because coats can compress during a crash which is not good.
However, once the child has been secured, you can put the coat on backwards over the harness. You can also keep extra blankets in the car to place over your child, once they are secured.
If you want to go a step further, check out this new – and what looks like amazing – option for a car seat approved called the Cozywoggle. I’m dying to get my hands on one of these so my poor kids don’t have to freeze this winter!
2. Traveling with wings instead of wheels? It is recommended that all children use age-appropriate car seats on planes – even kids under two. Check with your carrier about buying a discounted seat for children under two as well as any restrictions on car seat use in flight. It’s also a good idea to check the label on your car seat before leaving for the airport to make sure it is FAA approved.
3. This last tip is the most important. It is important no matter what the weather is like outside. Luckily, it is very easy to do:
Get your car seat installation inspected.
As I mentioned back in September, during Child Passenger Safety Month, if you are in the 11803 area, Hassell Auto Body (located at 390 Rte 109 in West Babylon, (631) 587-5500) will happily check your car seat installation weekdays from 10am – 2pm. No charge, no inconvenience, no muss, no fuss, just a smile and check-list of safety. It takes about 15 minutes. If you are not located on Long Island, please visit Safe Kids Worldwide or safecar.gov to find a location near you that will check the installation of your car seat. This is a simple step that could save your child’s life. Yes, I mean to be that dramatic.
If you are in the market for a new car seat, Evenflo has two worth mentioning:
The Evenflo Platinum Protection Seriesis line of car seats that features NASA-developed Outlast technology, a temperature regulating fabric that keeps children comfortable during hot and cold weather by actively absorbing and storing hot and cold temperatures and releasing as needed. The Platinum Series line includes the All-In-One seat, accommodating a child from 5-110 lbs., as well as a Convertible and Harnessed Booster seat.
The Evenflo ProComfort Protection Seriesis available as an All-In-One, Convertible, and Belt-Positioning Booster. This line of seats is made with an innovative Gel-Matrix cushion that helps reduce pressure point build up. High pressure build up can create extreme discomfort during a long trip or car ride, which is why equalizing pressure points plays a vital role in keeping children comfortable and safe.
Both seats above come with the new Evenflo SureSafe System. Whether it be an Evenflo All-In-One, Convertible, or Infant Car Seat, all Evenflo car seats now come equipped with Latch Guides and Quick Connectors that increase proper installation.
Here’s to a SAFE 2015!
Thank you everyone for making this year – my first – as The Mint Chip Mama so great.
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