Mum Shares Terrifying Experience With Car Seat Strap Covers

Mum shares warning about car seat strap covers after her baby was thrown from her seat.

A mum from Georgia faced a parent’s worst fear after she received a call that her baby girl was in a car accident.

Hannah Pope’s two-month-old daughter, Robin, was in the car with her aunt when the car cartwheeled twice and landed on its side.

Baby Robin was thrown from her car seat and found in the third row of the car, according to WLTX News 19. Robin suffered fractures and scratches, and first responders to the scene said the sheepskin seat strap covers were to blame.

“When we got to the vehicle, all straps were tight and intact,” Hannah said in her Facebook post about the accident. “Plus the car seat was still in base and still attached to the seat.” She goes on to explain that her daughter was ejected due to the slickness of the sheepskin that slid against her shirt and did not hold her in the car seat during the crash.

Hannah posted on Facebook warning parents about the straps. Her post has been shared over 140,000 times. In it, she urges parents not to sacrifice safety for comfort. Not only could the covers defeat the security purposes of a car seat, but Hannah also shared car seat accessories void the warranty in the case of an accident.

“We had to learn the hard way, and I thank God every day that he had his hands on her,” she says. “They may look cute, and it may be soft, but for your child’s safety, don’t do it.”

Previously we have shared a message from Infasecure telling parents to be aware of using home made car seat covers, inserts or pads on child restraints.

There are a number of safety issues associated with the use of third party or home made covers, including;

•They rarely (if ever) feature shoulder height markers, which are critical for determining the suitability of a child restraint. Shoulder height marker placement is dictated by the standard, and varies from model to model significantly.
•They rarely (if ever) feature warning labels or belt path indicators, which can lead to serious cases of misuse.
•A cover that has not been specifically designed for the shape of the restraint shell can alter its performance in an accident.
•They may not have undergone anti-flammability treatments.
•They may not meet toxicity requirements.
•They may not meet colour-fastness requirements.
•Their use, which is explicitly against the manufacturer’s instructions, could have a significant impact on liability in the event of injury.

Share your comments below

Image via FB

21 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 13 Jul 2022
    12:09 pm
If you read the instructions for the car seats they tell you not to add anything to the straps or seat or you negate the safety

- - Blossom said
  - 09 Dec 2018
    10:20 pm
A horrific accident which could easily have taken the baby’s life

- - tessie said
  - 18 Apr 2018
    9:47 am
Very lucky that baby Robin is going to be okay. I didn’t realise that they would cause an issue but when you think of it the seatbelt is further away from your body. I only use them on the front seats and only for adults.

- - Shazza said
  - 16 Apr 2018
    11:56 am
I really find it hard to believe. If the actual straps are firm the covers shouldn’t be an issue. Very lucky indeed.

- - ella12 said
  - 16 Apr 2018
    11:54 am
Terrible what happened to the baby. Thanks for the update.

- - rovermum said
  - 16 Apr 2018
    10:51 am
We actually have a sheepskin strap that I used when I was pregnant, and my son has since used in the back seat due to his sensory issues. I have since removed it from the car. This story has made me aware of what could happen and I won’t risk it.

- - jacqbeckett said
  - 15 Apr 2018
    8:06 pm
Wow i would not have thought that. Guess we learn every day and in hope it keeps us safe. Hope this baby recovers quickly.

- - mom206279 said
  - 15 Apr 2018
    3:56 pm
Both of our car seats came with these sorts of covers but we never used them because they just got in the way so much.

- - mom101628 said
  - 14 Apr 2018
    11:20 pm
Depends on what is being worn before you strap the child in – seat belts have to be continually adjusted.

- - june11 said
  - 14 Apr 2018
    10:56 pm
Adding thicker clothing alters the fitting of the baby harness within the seat.

- - Amanda Holland said
  - 14 Apr 2018
    5:48 pm
Very very lucky to have survived. Not something I ever used with my kids. If the straps looked like they would irritate them I’ll just adjust their top around their neck

- - nadine_hill said
  - 14 Apr 2018
    9:10 am
I would never have thought they would pose a problem …. so pleased she is okay.

- - mom297193 said
  - 14 Apr 2018
    7:56 am
THis is very scary glad Bub is ok

- - mom93821 said
  - 14 Apr 2018
    6:47 am
A sensible and good safety warning.

- - Ellen said
  - 14 Apr 2018
    3:31 am
So scary !!

- - nealsq said
  - 13 Apr 2018
    9:56 pm
anything not provided with the seat at the time of original purchase is not recommended, even putting bub in a winter coat before strapping in is a no no
- Ellen replied
  
  14 Apr 2018 , 3:37 am
  Ohh I never thought of that ! How would a wintercoat make the carseat unsafe ?
- - mom140193 said
  - 13 Apr 2018
    9:54 pm
Terrifying for mum and poor Bub. Glad Bub is ok. Something to be mindful of with car seats

- - mom160421 said
  - 13 Apr 2018
    8:59 pm
I would not have expected these covers to be a problem. We can’t assume anything really.

- - BellaB said
  - 13 Apr 2018
    5:50 pm
This is a danger I wasn’t fully aware of. Lucky baby!

- - mom199367 said
  - 13 Apr 2018
    4:00 pm
How very lucky for the baby to survive an accident like that! A great warning for everyone to hopefully learn from.