Winter Safety & Child Restraint Systems

As winter approaches, we wanted to send out important information regarding child safety in regards to the proper way to wear a coat while riding in a motor vehicle.

• It is best to dress your child in thin layers: long-sleeved shirt, sweatshirt, then a coat (which should be removed before strapping a child into any type of restraint system).
• Putting straps over bulky clothing creates excess slack in the straps, reducing their ability to properly restrain your child and increasing the risk of injury during a collision.
• The correct way to do this would be to:
  • 1. Have your child dressed warmly as they are stepping outside.
  • 2. Remove their coat before getting buckled in the vehicle.
  • 3. Then once buckled, have them put the coat back on reversed – with the zipper facing their chest and their arms through both sleeves—to keep them warm during the ride.

Photo source: mumblingmommy.com 

Wearing coats in reverse, after getting buckled
Photo source: thecarseatlady.com

If you have a student who receives Special Services and rides ISD Transportation:
— Bus attendants will remove your child’s coat before buckling them into any type of child restraint system.
— We will never secure the harness straps of an assistive device—a safety vest or a star seat—over anything thicker than a sweatshirt. 
— If your student wears a transportation safety vest or harness, put this on the child before you put on their coat so the attendant may more easily follow this process.
— Once the student is seated and securely fastened, the bus attendant will put the child’s coat on reversed—with the zipper facing their chest and their arms through both sleeves—to keep them warm during the ride. 

If you have questions, please reach out to the ISD Transportation Department by calling (816) 521-5335 or speak with your child’s pediatrician.

Thank you for all you do to support the ISD and our staff, as we work alongside you to help educate our district’s littlest learners.

Parent/guardian Resources
SafeKids Worldwide: Ask an Expert Winter Coats and Car Seats
HealthyChildren.org: Winter Car Seat Safety Tips: Keeping Kids Safe & Warm
Safe Ride 4 Kids: Winter Coats and Car Seats
American Academy of Pediatrics: Child Passenger Safety