Sponsored in collaboration with Tempo Outerwear.
I remember when I first became a mom, I couldn’t believe that all of a sudden I was entrusted with the care of this small being and that their safety was entirely my responsibility. And certain aspects of keeping your child safe, such as figuring out how to securely fasten them into their car seat, start at birth. Before we even left the hospital with my kids the nurses ensured that they were safely secured in their bucket seats.
But as they grow older, car seat safety can get even more complicated, especially if you live in a colder climate like me. I live in Kingson, Ontario, Canada, and every year, as soon as those cooler temperatures start to creep up I find myself wondering “what should my child wear in the car seat that will keep them safe and warm this winter?”
Every year, as soon as those cooler temperatures start to creep up I find myself wondering “what should my child wear in the car seat that will keep them safe and warm this winter?”
Because in case you didn’t know, if you’re child is wearing a standard winter jacket for outdoor play, it’s probably not a safe choice as a car seat jacket. Here’s why and how you can determine whether or not your winter jacket is suitable for the car seat.
How and why to make sure your child’s jacket is car seat safe
Finding a car seat-safe jacket in Canada can be a challenge because many are too puffy to be safely worn in your child’s seat. According to the Cleveland Clinic:
“Children shouldn’t wear bulky winter coats underneath their car seat harness. The bulky coats we wear in winter — especially down-filled puffer coats — can make the child car seat’s safety harness ineffective, and unsafe in a crash. The thing that makes puffer coats warm — that they trap air with lots of loose feathers and down — is the exact same thing that makes them dangerous in the car seat, according to pediatrician Kimberly Giuliano, MD.”
– Cleveland Clinic, 2020
In best practice, if you’re not sure whether or not you have a car seat-safe jacket, it’s advised that you perform this simple test: secure your child in their seat while in their winter jacket and then remove it. If there is suddenly a lot of room between your child and their car seat straps, you have a problem.
Try the car seat safety test: secure your child in their seat while in their winter jacket and then remove it. If there is suddenly a lot of room between your child and their car seat straps, that’s not a car seat safe jacket.
And with nearly 5000 children becoming injured in motor vehicle accidents every year across the country, figuring out how to dress your child safely in the car is of paramount importance because their bulky winter coat is not an option in the car:
“In winter, the extra bulk of a puffy winter coat can make the safety seat harness too loose to properly secure your child in a crash. In a crash, if a child is wearing a coat, all that puffiness of the coat would compress, leaving extra room. That gives the child additional room to potentially move outside the safety of his car seat, which could increase his risk of injury.”
– CTV News, 2019
So where can you find a car seat safe coat in Canada?
Enter Tempo Outerwear, a Canadian children’s outwear brand with a collection of stylish and high-quality jackets, snow pants, toques, mittens, and neck warmers from sizes 2T to 6.
Amanda Occhicone, (fellow Canadian mom of two boys) and founder of the brand created her own solution as she found it impractical and frustrating to take her son’s jackets on and off every time they were being transported in and out of their car seats.
“fueled by a fierce desire to develop a safer and better solution (and a lot of cups of coffee) I created Tempo Outerwear. I’m thrilled to share it with you, and help other families on the move.”
– Amanda Occhicone, CEO and Founder of Tempo Outerwear
Amanda invented Tempo Outwear’s signature jacket, The Duo, to solve this problem. And it has been crash tested with phenomenal results!
But what makes this jacket unique, aside from the fact that it is designed specifically as a car seat-safe winter jacket?
What’s unique about this car seat-safe winter jacket?
- no more taking your child’s jacket on and off every time you fasten them into their car seat because it’s car seat safe.
- your child can wear their jacket as they leave home, and all you have to do is unzip the exterior layer when you fasten their seat belt.
- no fiddling with getting their jacket on once you arrive at your destination, while they complain about being cold!
- no collar, meaning it won’t get in the way as you fasten your child into their seat.
- it can be worn all year long as The Duo is comprised of three adjustable and removable layers, making it practical for multiple seasons.
- grows with your child, with inner-layer sleeves designed to be worn at knuckle length or cuffed. Check out their size guide.
- wind and water resistant, machine washable, vegan friendly, and…
- designed in Canada!
Aside from the fact that you’re removing the hassle of having to take your child’s coat on and off just to get them into the car, The Duo can be adjusted for wear during fall, winter, and spring. So car or no car, this jacket is super handy!
Wearing both layers makes the jacket especially warm, and since it’s also insulated and water resistant it can withstand those freezing Canadian winter days. During transitional months one layer can be removed leaving your child in a comfortable lightweight, water-resistant, hooded coat.
The Duo is not only car seat safe, but it also provides three-season use as it’s totally adjustable. Two layers provide warmth, insulation, and water resistance for winter. And in the spring wearing just the inner layer allows your child to play comfortably in a lightweight, water-resistant, hooded coat.
So if you too have a car seat manual at your house that cautions you to remove your child’s coat in the car and you’re wondering how to keep them warm, The Duo is your solution!
No more blankets, backwards jackets, or ponchos. Invest in a proper car seat-safe winter jacket, that can also be worn year-round and you’ll thank yourself later when you’re not freezing your buns off whilst strapping your kid into the car.
– Anna
Disclosure: This content was sponsored in collaboration with Tempo Outerwear. All opinions and comments are my own.
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