To be effective, child restraint devices, like car seats and booster seats, must be used properly. It is crucial for parents to understand what, if any, modifications can be made without jeopardizing the safety of their child.
Consider, for example, a recent story out of Georgia where a two-month-old child was ejected from her car seat during a crash after her mother added a sheepskin cover to the restraint belt to make it more comfortable. (Story here) The child was thrown to the back of the vehicle during the crash. Fortunately, the child managed to escape with only a hairline fracture to her arm.
The type of clothing a child wears while in a car seat may also decrease the effectiveness of the restraint. For more information on car seat safety click here.