We drove to the park today and ds has taken to saying that his straps are "too tight" Well I guess he decided to take matters into his own hands because I keep telling him they must be that way to be safe and he pushed his chest clip all the way down to the buckle area (in an EFTA). What do you do to prevent that!?
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What do you do about toddler messing with chest clip?
- Thread starter bekah
- Start date
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If the straps are honestly tight enough then it's quite difficult for them to get out of position on a child's shoulders. I just tried this with a kid two days ago in an EFTA properly tightened. Even with the chest clip down at the buckle I couldn't get the harness off his shoulders. So it becomes a discipline issue only, not a safety issue (provided the harness is actually as tight as he's complaining it is).
What some people have done is put the rough side of velcro on either side of the clip. It's still completely usable, you've just changed the texture. Kids generally don't like the feel of it and don't play with it anymore. And of course talk about it. Talk talk talk talk talk.
Wendy
What some people have done is put the rough side of velcro on either side of the clip. It's still completely usable, you've just changed the texture. Kids generally don't like the feel of it and don't play with it anymore. And of course talk about it. Talk talk talk talk talk.
Wendy
U
Unregistered1
Guest
Well it may not work for everybody but A has always known that messing with her car seat will NOT be tolerated. If I go to get her out and see that she has messed with it, she gets the 'you're in big trouble kiddo' voice and a talk about how we NEVER EVER mess with our car seat because that's not safe and it scares me. I don't use that voice often so she knows I'm serious. Usually it only takes a couple times for the lesson to sink in. It might come back up at some point later but a stern reminder usually gets her back on track.
I had the same issue with DD for a couple of months; simply used the "voice of doom" and let her know there would be BIG trouble for messing with it; it truly IS a discipline issue... hearing that she might have to stay home instead of go to say, the library or park, if she messed with it helped too, as did a big brother who is a budding car seat fanatic and eager tattle tale 
Barbara Baines
CPST Instructor
If he continues doing it, put a piece of duct tape behind the chest clip - that will stop any movement and keep it in place.
An Aurora
Senior Community Member
I would be hesitant to recommend putting anything on the seat. Anything that might interfere with the function of the chestclip should be a last resort.
jwren
New member
I have to agree with you.. sometimes a little fear of the reality will really make the difference..My son still plays with his straps wraping them behind his back and even knows how to loosen the harness now.. but he ONLY does it when we are parked.. He knows that is dangerous to do while I am driving.. I still tell him how dangerous it is when we are parked, but he is smart and knows if the car is not moving it's free game.. So I just have to fix it each time before we drive off.. then he leaves it alone.. Hopefully that's as far as it will go..
So I just have to fix it each time before we drive off.. then he leaves it alone.. Hopefully that's as far as it will go..You must read your carseat and vehicle owner’s manual and understand any relevant state laws. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. All opinions at Car-Seat.Org are those of the individual author for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Carseat Media LLC. Car-Seat.Org makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. If you are unsure about information provided to you, please visit a local certified technician. Before posting or using our website you must read and agree to our TERMS.
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