Why shouldn't you put a safety pin in the harness?

christineka

New member

• Feb 11, 2012

• #1

I'm being told that it's okay and better than an escaping kid.

 

glockchick

New member

• Feb 11, 2012

• #2

It can tear the fibers in the harness, thus weakening the harness.

And the manufacturer doesn't say it's allowed so you can't do it.

 

Polola0628

Active member

• Feb 11, 2012

• #3

Wait... can you explain the actual mechanics of it (the placement of the pin)?

I've just honestly never heard of it and am curious =P


My vote is no, however.

 

christineka

New member

• Feb 11, 2012

• #4

Polola0628 said:

Wait... can you explain the actual mechanics of it (the placement of the pin)?

I've just honestly never heard of it and am curious =P


My vote is no, however.

Click to expand...

You stick a safety pin through both sides of the harness, just under the chest clip so the child can't slide it down.

 

Kac

Ambassador - CPS Technician

• Feb 11, 2012

• #5

I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that.

 

aeormsby

New member

• Feb 11, 2012

• #6

And if the kids manages to get it off or it accidentally comes undone they could get stabbed by it and that's not going to help the situation any.

 

glockchick

New member

• Feb 11, 2012

• #7

aeormsby said:

And if the kids manages to get it off or it accidentally comes undone they could get stabbed by it and that's not going to help the situation any.

Click to expand...

:yeahthatsad:

It would also become a choking hazard.

 

Baylor

New member

• Feb 11, 2012

• #8

Completely bad idea.

auto correct hates me

 

christineka

New member

• Feb 11, 2012

• #9

I agree that it's a bad idea. I'm just the one voice of dissent among a group of mothers who think it's completely fine, doesn't damage the straps, and is a better option than letting the kid escape. What other ideas are there for keeping a rfing kid from escaping? The child is rfing in the third row with a mirror.

 

Brianna

New member

• Feb 11, 2012

• #10

I would try paper towel rolls reinforced with duct tape on the harness between the crotch buckle and chest clip.

 

Last edited: Feb 11, 2012

jess71903

Ambassador

• Feb 11, 2012

• #11

Brianna said:

I would try paper towel rolls reinforced with duct tape on the harness between the crotch buckle and chest slip.

Click to expand...

Or toilet paper rolls.

 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician

• Feb 11, 2012

• #12

Punctured lungs, anyone? Yeah, evidently doing anything to keep the chest clip from breaking or sliding down in a crash is a huge no-no, Britax once even tested puffy fabric paint dots on the harness below the chest clip and it altered the crash dynamics so much they were worried it would cause injury and told us (on the parentsplace board years ago) definitely no to even that.
Really the answer is discipline (don't move when they slide the chest clip down, thank them for sitting properly, bribery... whatever it takes for you to TEACH them that they need to sit right). And that's the answer I most hate to give, but meh, it is what it is.

 

Brianna

New member

• Feb 11, 2012

• #13

I wonder how Britax could find it to be bad, yet the design of Evenflo Chase and the Baby Trend combo seat don't allow the chest clip to move down past the adjuster.

 

M

MonkeyMama

Member

• Feb 11, 2012

• #14

christineka said:

You stick a safety pin through both sides of the harness, just under the chest clip so the child can't slide it down.

Click to expand...

Also, if the child is determined and/or strong they could push continually or just hard and really tear/damage the staps more than just the orgional puncture holes. So I really wouldn't do that. A small hole can become a big one in no time, especially if that is an ongoing thing.

 

PurpleCat

New member

• Feb 11, 2012

• #15

I'm having the problem of the wandering chest clip too and I wouldn't have thought to pin it up there. What a weird idea. :scratch:

The toilet paper/paper towel roll is a cool idea.

 

murphydog77

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Feb 11, 2012

• #16

Well, they do poke those plastic tag holder thingies through harnesses. I'm less concerned about a small hole in the harness--because you can probably finagle it in between the fibers if you're careful--than the possibility of the safety pin breaking in a crash and stabbing a child.

 

spokaneCPST

CPST Instructor

• Feb 11, 2012

• #17

I had a family several years ago with 2 1/2 year old twins who were quite the houdinis. Their mom sewed big buttons to their straps right below the chest clip. It worked to keep they from moving the clip down, but was definitely not something I would recommend. Holes in the harness, choking hazard if they got the buttons off, and who knows what could happen in a crash. Mom chose to keep the buttons.

 

cookie123

New member

• Feb 11, 2012

• #18

I used harness covers below the chest clip that had to be threaded on. They were stiff and just the right length. It worked well.

I would not use a safety pin.