Tinley Park Police Department Says Beware Of Car Seat Misuse

TINLEY PARK, IL — Winter prompts many parents to bundle their young children up before placing the child in a car seat and driving off together. The Tinley Park Police Department is now reminding residents to avoid placing children wearing bulky sweaters, coats or fleece clothing into car seats because it could lead to serious complications if a crash or other accident were to occur.

The police department said according to car seat technicians, parents shouldn’t put anything thicker than a sweatshirt on their child when they’re in a car seat. Bulky sweaters, coats or fleece garments prevent a snug fit of the car seat harness, even if the harness may appear to be snug over a coat. The department said when the coat is compressed force from a crash, the harness will not protect the child the way it should.

"Instead, parents can use hats, gloves, blankets (on top of the car seat straps), light fleece jackets or specifically designed coats to keep their children warm," the department said.

According to a 10-year study that was conducted by Pediatrics called “Infant Deaths in Sitting Devices,” of 11,779 infant sleep-related deaths, 348 occurred in car seats or other sitting devices. The study revealed that 90 percent of cases proved parents did not properly use the car seats correctly, with the median age of death being just two months old.

The study concluded that there are higher odds of sleep-related infant deaths in car seats when the child is being supervised by a parent, caretaker or baby-sitter. Using seating devices when you are not traveling exposes an infant to more risks, the study explains.

The Tinley Park Police Department said anyone can schedule a child safety seat inspection by calling (708) 444-5326. The child safety seat has to be installed by the parent or caregiver before arriving at the police department.