What can I do to prevent my child from getting too hot in the child car seat this summer?
After a not very hot spring, summer has arrived in all its splendor and, with it, temperatures that in some parts of the Iberian Peninsula are already approaching 40 degrees. Therefore, it is time to decide what to do to ensure that our children cope as well as possible on car trips, given that they are seated in child restraint systems which can get quite uncomfortable in the heat.
We already well know, due to the number of articles and news items dedicated to this topic in the last few years, that with an outside temperature of 25 degrees, just leaving a child in the car for 10 minutes can lead to heatstroke. There is a wealth of advice on how to prevent children from suffering from heatstroke, but it is clear that if the temperature rises above 35 degrees, children are going to get very hot.
Keep the car in the shade for as long as possible
This may seem unimportant if you’re only going to stop for a few minutes to do some business, but the search for the shade should be a priority in any situation. Anything that protects the car from direct sunlight will be appreciated once you get back into the car. Of course, no-one should remain in the car if you are not moving, regardless of how short a time you are going to be stopping for.
The key to making sure everyone suffers less from the heat once you get back in the car is to keep it parked in the shade for as long as possible. Finding underground parking would be the best option of all. You can then keep the child car seat cool.
This is a critical point: if the child car seat is in direct sunlight, some of its components can get dangerously hot and could even burn the child’s exposed skin in summer. For example, the headrest can reach temperatures of over 60 degrees, while the seat itself can easily reach 50 degrees, and could cause relatively serious burns. Furthermore, the metal buckles of the harnesses can absorb the heat much more quickly and therefore it is very important to check how hot they are before putting the child in the seat.
An even better solution than looking for a shady spot is to take sunshades in the car with you. Once parked, even in the shadiest spot you can find, put the sunshades at strategic points: on the windscreen, of course, and also on the windows, since the more light is kept out, the cooler the car will be.
It is also extremely important to protect the seat so your children do not overheat, and there are a few tips for doing this: using strategically placed sunshades, although there are always parts that remain uncovered, or using covers specifically designed to cover child car seats(sunshade covers and anti-UV covers).You can also buy breathable pads and mats that help children travel in a fresher environment.
Lastly, remember that it is a good idea to cool down the car as much as possible before putting the child in their seat, by turning on the air conditioning and opening the windows to clear out the hot air inside the car.