Ideas on keeping the seat tight??

Heamae

New member
I have two girls, 4 and 5.5 years old. Both in Nautilus's and both girls know how to tighten and loosen their straps. We have talked and talked about riding safe and such but they are in the third row and I dont always notice when they do it but next thing I know they have their straps loose on them. I dont know what to do!!! Any ideas???
 
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LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician
So they're loosening them after you have checked to make sure they're tight?

At their ages this is really more of a discipline issue than a car seat issue.

I would do two things: Reward them (with a sticker, whatever) for keeping their harnesses tightened, and once they have X number of stickers, they get Y. (To watch a movie, go for ice cream, whatever.)

The second thing I would do (actually, I guess it would be the first) is to pull over immediately when I notice their harnesses are loose. The car doesn't move until everyone is buckled in tight.

That would be most effective if done on the way to a fun place. Make sure you give yourself plenty of extra time for the next few trips.
 

rodentranger

New member
If you have someone strong enough to lift the seat with the child in it, have the child "tighten" the straps to where they seem to prefer it, then have strong adult pick them up and turn the whole seat/child combination upside down over something soft like a couch or mattress. The child will likely hit the harness hard enough to jolt them, but not injure the child.
Then adjust the harness correctly and flip them over again. The child shouldn't move at all. Point out that this is what will happen in an collision, only the collision will be much worse. Explain that the harness is what holds their body in place and protects them and that to do its job properly, it needs to be snug.
This demo was very effective with my almost 4 yo. He doesn't complain about the harness being snug anymore. :whistle:
 

Sarah62008

Senior Community Member
If you have someone strong enough to lift the seat with the child in it, have the child "tighten" the straps to where they seem to prefer it, then have strong adult pick them up and turn the whole seat/child combination upside down over something soft like a couch or mattress. The child will likely hit the harness hard enough to jolt them, but not injure the child.
Then adjust the harness correctly and flip them over again. The child shouldn't move at all. Point out that this is what will happen in an collision, only the collision will be much worse. Explain that the harness is what holds their body in place and protects them and that to do its job properly, it needs to be snug.
This demo was very effective with my almost 4 yo. He doesn't complain about the harness being snug anymore. :whistle:

Thats great!
 

T4K

Well-known member
If you have someone strong enough to lift the seat with the child in it, have the child "tighten" the straps to where they seem to prefer it, then have strong adult pick them up and turn the whole seat/child combination upside down over something soft like a couch or mattress. The child will likely hit the harness hard enough to jolt them, but not injure the child.
Then adjust the harness correctly and flip them over again. The child shouldn't move at all. Point out that this is what will happen in an collision, only the collision will be much worse. Explain that the harness is what holds their body in place and protects them and that to do its job properly, it needs to be snug.
This demo was very effective with my almost 4 yo. He doesn't complain about the harness being snug anymore. :whistle:

This is brilliant and cruel and right up my alley :D
 

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