A winter coat and our safety belts

A winter coat and our safety belts

With the change in seasons usually comes a change in clothing; that seems perfectly natural.  But have you ever considered how your winter clothing may negatively impact our health if we are in a car crash?  Today I’d like to remind us of the value of making sure our winter clothes don’t create problems for us if we are in a car crash.  So, I have an ode to remember…

Don’t let a bulky coat affect the placement of your safety belt.  If you’re in a crash while the belt is high on your belly, it can turn your “innards” into jelly.  Keep the belt low over your hips, and that will do the trick! 

Safety belts are designed to be most effective when the lap portion is secured over our hips not across our abdomen.  But all too often, when folks go to secure their safety belt – while wearing their heavy coat – the lap portion of the belt ends up resting across our abdomen rather than across our hips.  IF we are in a car crash while the safety belt is across our abdomen, it can cause significant internal injury.

So remember – no matters the season or dress wear – it’s a good habit to always readjust our safety belt, so that it is secure over our hips rather than across our abdomen; or it could turn your “innards into jelly” during a car crash!

Be safe and well.

Shawn Ritchey L.I.V.E. (Link, Inspire, Value, Educate)