How Much Difference Can A Coat Make?

A child's coat does not have to even be extremely puffy to add significant bulk around the torso.  Here's a quick video that demonstrates the problem and offers our solution.  Forward, share and "LIKE" to anyone who drives a little one around and lives in a cold-weather state.  Eventually, cold weather will come!

Why Is the "Bundle Me" Bad in a Car Seat?

Every child safety expert says "NO!" to using the Bundle Me in a car seat, but why?

The reason Bundle Me's are not safe is that the part that goes behind the child's back is too fluffy and thick, and does not allow you to properly secure your child in the car seat. Fluff and bulk in FRONT of a baby and under the harness would compress in a collision, but fluff between the BACK of a baby and the car seat prevents the harness from being tight enough.

While a Bundle Me does allow the harness to be directly on the child's chest, it provides only the illusion of security because of the extra "air space" in the back. "Shower cap" infant car seat covers like this are the better way to keep infants warm in bucket car seats.

And when you "graduate" your baby to a convertible, the Car Seat Poncho is the very best, easiest way to keep baby warm!

Fan Mail for the Car Seat Poncho

Deanna from Rushville, Illinois wrote us this sweet note:

"My son and I love this poncho so much!  It is cute, keeps him warm, and makes getting in and out of the car so much easier.  It was worth every single penny I paid for it.  I am so pleased!"

Coincidentally, we have been getting a lot of orders from Illinois in the past two weeks.  Hmm... is Deanna spreading the word?  Who have YOU told about the Car Seat Poncho?

When It's Amost A Crash?

A safety colleague witnessed a "non-crash" today.  The car next to her had to go from about 30 mph to zero within seconds to avoid rear-ending another vehicle.  Even though 30 mph is not hair-raising speed, that kind of sudden stop definitely makes a loud screech and smokes the tires.  But what caught my colleague's attention was the child in the back seat of that car...

She was about 6 years old and restrained only in a lap belt (no shoulder straps, so obviously no booster). The top half of her body was thrown forward, ACROSS THE FRONT SEAT -- remember, she went from 30 mph to nothing in seconds.  Her face smashed into the dashboard and was badly bloodied (click here to see what can happen to lap belt passengers in a crash).  Read my colleague's full description here.
 
If she had been in a harnessed car seat or a booster, her torso would have been restrained and injury could have been avoided.

86-Y Universal Harness

It *is* possible to harness a child in a car that only has lap belts.  There is a product called the 86Y Universal Harness, and it is an ingenious way to provide safe restraint to a child.  Attach the harness to a retrofit tether bolt, and thread the lap belt through the bottom harness loops.  If your child, or one your know, rides in an older vehicle that is not equipped with shoulder belts (maybe a babysitter or a relative), please consider it.  You never know when you're going to be in an "almost-crash."

The First Frost Is On the Way

Chilly air from Canada is on its way to the US, and the first frost will roll into the northern Plains, Midwest and Northeast U.S. this week!  According to Accuweather, the expected cold snap is a little early for this time of year.

We usually start reaching for our jackets at around the 50-degree mark. Even if the day's supposed to top out in the high 60's, the mornings are usually chilly and we can see our breath as we head out to the car. Fall is my favorite season and I love to be ready with a cozy jacket or sweatshirt on the coat rack.  I think you can tell where I'm going with this:  be ready for that first chilly morning with a Car Seat Poncho!

The Purples Are Here!

The long-awaited purple ponchos are here, as well as more leopards, chocolate camels, roses, camouflages and more.  Be ready for the first chilly day and order your Car Seat Poncho now!

Canadians: Car Seat Ponchos at Snuggle Bugz



Good news for Canadians!  This year, all Canadian and non-US orders will be handled by Snuggle Bugz, which has locations in Burlington, Milton and online at SnuggleBugz.ca

This means FASTER delivery, NO DUTY and FREE SHIPPING!