Stockdorf/Munich. – The winter months harbour risks for babies and toddlers that extend far beyond catching colds. For example, padded rompers, thermo jackets and fleecy anoraks can reduce the effectiveness of safety belt systems to a not inconsiderable degree when travelling by car. In particular the ADAC – the General German Automobile Club – warns that thick winter clothing prevents the belt from fitting tightly around the body in the way that is required in order to provide optimal protection. Apart from this, there is also the fact that the seat belt tensioners that are directly held by the vehicle’s own safety belt is unable to react quickly enough at the moment of impact: this is because a thick layer of textile or quilting first has to be literally squeezed flat, and this takes valuable fractions of a second till the belt can effectively hold back the accelerated forward motion of the child’s body. “During this period the head is propelled unretarded further forward, the brake jolt becomes more violent, and the neck and stomach are particularly endangered”, as Peter Jahn, consultant for children’s safety in cars at the Austrian Ministry of Transport, emphasizes.

The in most cases smooth outer surfaces of children’s winter clothing make for a further risk, namely that, if the worst comes to the worst, the belt can slip off the shoulder, causing a child to be catapulted forwards or sideways – with unforeseeable consequences for head and spinal column. With this in mind, experts therefore unanimously recommend removing thick clothing before starting out on a car trip – and that most certainly goes for adult passengers as well.     

However, this safety precaution doesn’t mean having to freeze unnecessarily in a motor vehicle with winter temperatures inside. Webasto parking heaters enable cars, vans or buses to be preheated conveniently by remote control so that driver and passengers can set out on a journey in pleasantly warm interior temperatures in all kinds of weather. Webasto’s parking heater systems can be ordered as a special extra when buying a new vehicle or retrofitted at any time by an appropriately authorized garage or workshop. You will find more detailed information at  www.wohlfuehlklima.de.