DS unbuckled his carseat and jumped out while driving

The Nap Taker

I have searched google and don't know what to look for I guess.

DS can unbuckle the 5 point harness and the lock on his evenflo symphony and britax roundabout. I have made sure both are secure and tight but no matter what he can unlock and get out. Has anyone had this problem and what product did you use?

Thanks!

Oh, and hiya! 

ASmallWonder

Holy moly!  How good is he with buttons?  There are two options but one is easier.  If he's not great at them, find a button up shirt and button it over the harness.  If he's pretty good at them, try putting it on him backwards and then (this is the tricky part) reaching behind him to button 1 button.

The Nap Taker

He is amazing with locks and buttons. Daycare actually had to buy a new dead bolt for the classroom door because he can reach the current one and unlock it. He can also unlock the dead bolt on our front door at home. 

He is almost 3

ridesbuttons

How old is he?  I'd start by first telling him that he is never, ever allowed to take his seatbelt off while he's in the car.  Non negotiable.  The car gets pulled over, he gets strapped in and gets a very, very stern lecture if it happens again.

 

I might then consider tying a headband or similar around the button at the chest fastener in a knot that you would recognize, but remember, part of the safety of seatbelts/carseats is that they undo relatively easily in the event you need to exit the car quickly.

azzyberry

When my DS was younger and he learned how to do this I bought a Monkey Tyz. It was the best money I spent.

www.monkeytyz.com

The Nap Taker

HilarityEnsued said:

Just google "buckle guard for child car seat"

Oh, I've been doing that for the last 2 hours. They are usually for the actually seat belt. The thing is he can undo both so I need something for the 5 point harness and the buckle between his legs. If you find something let me know because I cannot. I've called Target, walmart and BRU. 

Smootchy

What ever you do, I hope your child lock is on the back seat doors! 

LoveActually4

Could you sew something? Like a PP mentioned, covering the buckles runs the risk of you not being able to get him out in an emergency. I'd focus on behaviour mod and enforcing that he can never undo the belt.

shadypines

Does your car have "child safety lock" on the doors?

The Nap Taker

Thanks, @azzberry!

@ridesbuttons. I have given him a firm lecture more than twice. He's willful and thinks it's funny. 

SandyClam

Duct tape and surgical scissors (those scissors with the blunt tip)

LoveActually4

What about taping mittens on him? That way he can't get out and you're not compromising tr safety of the seat

The Nap Taker

Yes, I have a Honda Accord and it has child locks on the doors and windows. I locked those the day he unlocked the front door and ran out of the house while I was cooking dinner. 

ASmallWonder

Ok so I just asked techs on Car Seats for the Littles and buckle guards, tape, velcro, etc, are all unsafe.  The shirt thing is safe but only works for the chest clip.  But if he can't get both open, at least he can't get out.  Unfortunately, all you can really do is implement a reward/punishment system and pull over every single time he does it.  Can you plan a "trip" to something fun he wants to do to drive the point home that you may never get there if he keeps doing it?

SquishyMommy1

This is a disciple issue...consequences and consistency. They eventually will realize they aren't going anywhere and unbuckling themselves means Mommy pulls over immediately and buckles them back in with consequences attached. 3 is old enough to know better and be taught that it isn't acceptable.

ASmallWonder

That's all well and good that people are parading in here being all "this is a discipline issue".

Great.

It's also a pressing safety issue. 

WTF.

I don't think anyone at all is downplaying that it's a safety issue.  It clearly is.  Unfortunately, it's also a safety issue to add anything to the seat so that isn't an option.  That leaves one option.  Stopping every single time he does it and fix it and because that's a giant PITA that no one has time for, somehow he has to learn not to do it.  It's not like there are alternatives and people are eye rolling and telling her to control her kid.  Kids do this but there are no other safe ways to stop it.

seahorse102410

This sounds crazy but maybe call the pediatrician's office and see if hey have any advice. I know you can't possibly be the first parent to have this problem. And I'm sorry but I don't think discipline is going to solve it either.

Assembly_Reqd

Do you have a policeman or fireman friend?

Maybe go to the Police Station or Firehouse for a "safety inspection" and have someone "educate" your DS on why it is bad and against the law to take off your seatbelt.

The Nap Taker

Now I remember why I haven't been back in so long. Thanks 

This isn't the first time he's done this. He does it with doors as well. I've been trying to correct it till I'm close to banging my head against a wall. So, instead of hoping he gets it I bought a dead bolt for my front door so my neighbor doesn't come over and tell me my kid has escaped, again. So, yes, I'd rather buy the fucking lock then have to worry he's running out the door at home, at school at gymnastics, ect. 

As for the point of this damn post (got off topic)....I've been telling him and trying to correct the issue but it keep happening every.motherfucking.time we're in the car. It's been going on for about 2 1/2 weeks. I've offered Popsicle, a toy at the dollar store, ect if he doesn't do it. We've done 123 magic and I've pulled over the car (once) we've done time out, ect. So, I came on here to see if there was something that works for the car seat, not to get a discipline issue. If there isn't anything out there that is safe then so be it. But obvs waiting for my 2 year old to listen to me is not working and just as unsafe. 

ASmallWonder

@HilarityEnsued and @ the untaggable Nap Taker  I really do hope that neither of you think I was being flippant about the discipline because I honestly truly wasn't.  And I'm not saying that Nap should or shouldn't do what she feels is necessary but I did want her to know that all the stuff other people were recommending wouldn't be safe.  I would hate to have Nap use one of them and not be aware of the risk.  Nap, you've got no judgement from me.  My kid listens for absolute shit

colliebabe

@NapTaker I just want to say that I understand your frustration.  My DD just turned 2 two weeks ago and can unbuckle the chest clip.  No amount of stopping the car, time outs, prepping her beforehand about being safe, bribes, 123 Magic etc. has worked for us.

 

I was searching online for a device as well but wasn't going to post about it because I knew the shitstorm that would ensue.  But I decided to because I wanted to offer my support to let you know you're not alone!

Mrs.adambabycakes

HilarityEnsued said:

Well then get out the flame throwers because, honestly, I'm not buying that some fucking piece of cloth over the buttons poses a bigger safety risk than him ACTUALLY GETTING OUT OF THE SEAT. 

IDGAF but I'd be covering those buckles in a heartbeat.  It's great that he needs a stern lecture and whatever the eff else, but some of the advice in this thread is pompous.  (I'm not talking to you @elmoali, you've presented useful facts). 

It just Edward 40-Hands-Him and duct tape some mittens onto his hands for all car rides.

I was just going to post something like this.  At some point you have to ask yourself:"What is MORE unsafe, some extra cloth on the buckle or a child roaming free in a car moving 50+ MPH?" This is more a safety issue than discipline issue.  GL Naptaker. 

EVA116

My dad sells and designs safety belts for car seats and many other things....I will ask him tonight if there is anything he knows about.

CaniacMom

The Nap Taker said:

Now I remember why I haven't been back in so long. Thanks 

This isn't the first time he's done this. He does it with doors as well. I've been trying to correct it till I'm close to banging my head against a wall. So, instead of hoping he gets it I bought a dead bolt for my front door so my neighbor doesn't come over and tell me my kid has escaped, again. So, yes, I'd rather buy the fucking lock then have to worry he's running out the door at home, at school at gymnastics, ect. 

As for the point of this damn post (got off topic)....I've been telling him and trying to correct the issue but it keep happening every.motherfucking.time we're in the car. It's been going on for about 2 1/2 weeks. I've offered Popsicle, a toy at the dollar store, ect if he doesn't do it. We've done 123 magic and I've pulled over the car (once) we've done time out, ect. So, I came on here to see if there was something that works for the car seat, not to get a discipline issue. If there isn't anything out there that is safe then so be it. But obvs waiting for my 2 year old to listen to me is not working and just as unsafe. 

Your child sounds a lot like mine.  He has not figured the car seat out (yet) but he does know how to get out the doors.  I put door knob covers on the doors.  Then he started hitting them until they came off.  I now have the seams on them duct taped & he has not figured out how to get past that but I figure that has only bought me a few weeks.  

I wish I had a magic solution to share - my life would be a lot easier.

EVA116

Well he wasn't much help. He said that legally you can't add anything to the buckle...which everyone has already told you. He said some parents put the prickly side of velcro tape on the button....he said most kids don't like the feel of it.

sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Mrs.adambabycakes

GhostMonkey said:

Mrs.adambabycakes said:

HilarityEnsued said:

Well then get out the flame throwers because, honestly, I'm not buying that some fucking piece of cloth over the buttons poses a bigger safety risk than him ACTUALLY GETTING OUT OF THE SEAT. 

IDGAF but I'd be covering those buckles in a heartbeat.  It's great that he needs a stern lecture and whatever the eff else, but some of the advice in this thread is pompous.  (I'm not talking to you @elmoali, you've presented useful facts). 

It just Edward 40-Hands-Him and duct tape some mittens onto his hands for all car rides.

I was just going to post something like this.  At some point you have to ask yourself:"What is MORE unsafe, some extra cloth on the buckle or a child roaming free in a car moving 50+ MPH?" This is more a safety issue than discipline issue.  GL Naptaker. 

What's more unsafe- having to pull over because your child unbuckled again or having 1st responders not being able to get your child out after an accident because you put some random thing on the seat and they can't get it open?

It is a safety issue. It is also very much a discipline issue, and not one that pulling over once or giving firm lectures to a toddler is going to help. She's said herself she has no consistency when it comes to this. It's time to find some. And God knows it's not going to work overnight and that he's not going to be perfect. Blaming this on a willful child is a cop out.



A simple seatbelt cutter could get the child free, I don't think the jaws of life would be needed. I agree with your second paragraph, I was just focusing on the safety issue side. I consider myself lucky to have not experienced this yet, I have no advice on the discipline side. I would rather not take the chance of LO getting out of the seat simply for the sake of consistency.

cedenton

OkayKelci said:

I like the idea of taking him to a fire station or police station. I think maybe coming from someone other than a parent may be helpful. If the firemen or whoever could show him that they buckle up in their firetruck/police car, it may look more "cool" to keep buckled in. Plus, bonus field trips are always fun.  

Two things here...
1) If you do this don't make it a "the police will get you" kind've thing. You don't want him to dislike or be afraid of the police.
2) Most cops don't wear seat belts so they can quickly get in a foot pursuit. Though, I'm sure they'll fake it for you. LOL

ridesbuttons

 

If my post came of as judgemental, sorry.  I simply went through the steps that I followed when my kids were that age and getting into or doing stuff that was putting them in (potentially) harms way.

I'd look into thumbless mittens for the child. 

justEK

My son did it several times and I couldn't find anything to work. I actually took him to the fire department to have them tell him how important it is to stay in his seat, buckled. I don't think he quite understood what they were saying, but he never touched the buckles again.

littlestjerry

I'm not sure if people who don't understand that some kids just lol at punishment and don't give a shit or listen are lucky to have non-strong-willed kids or I'm just a shit mom.

Anyway, I think the best bet is doing something to his hands instead of the seat. Someone said taping mittens to his hands, I like that. And maybe he'll hate it so much, he'll stop trying to unbuckle. 

missyishere

I think there is a happy medium safety-wise on both sides of the argument.  I remember someone saying putting their jacket on backward would be a simple and safer issue or the taping gloves on their hands.  Deterring him long enough to make him understand it's not okay, so that perhaps he won't do it in the future.  

Dougsgirl4ever

https://www.amazon.com/Buckle-Guard-Seat-Safety-Black/dp/B002XUYF9C
 
What about this?

Dougsgirl4ever

Never mind that is for the actual seat belt not the carseat.

ILoveBoys

When DS1 was being broken from sucking his thumb, we would put socks over his hands, and tape around the end of them so he couldn't get them off. This may be a good start until he can grow a little older.