My toddler take his seat belt off and gets out of his carseat while I'm driving!?

KellySoCal7 - posted on 06/19/2011

There is an easy and inexpensive way to fix this: add snaps right under the chest clip. I used Pliers for snaps $10 at walmart (Plier Kit For Assorted Snaps) and some perl colored snaps $2 (about 10 pieces). After adjusting my toddler's seat belts I marked with a pen right under the chest clip. Took him out, pulled buckles all the way up out of the way and attached one snap on each belt right under the line I made earlier. I placed the snap more to the edge rather then in the middle in case my son goes all hardcore on me then I'll be able to add another snap next to it. So far he hasn't been able to pull it down with just one snap on each belt so we are good. That is it!
As he grows his chest piece will be going up so I won't need to remove those snaps at all.
P.S. Make sure you move chest piece up(not down) before adding snaps. Also working with those pliers for the first time can be tricky (as with any new tool). Practicing on a piece of denim may be a good idea.

Kathy - posted on 07/30/2010

Both of my kids did this. I immediatly pulled the car over safely in a parking lot and chewed some butt! I explained the dangers of not having a seatbelt on and that I would take them to the police station and the a police officer show them pictures of hurt people that didn't wear seatbelts then they could get a ticket. I then told them to put it back on and never do it again! I said all this is a firm voice and with constant eye contact. I said the same thing to both of my children and they are 7 yrs apart so I got the attention of my 9yr old when her brother pulled this stunt. Her eyes were as wide as his remembering the lecture. My vehicle does not move until everyone has a seatbelt on-everyone! I am a 911 dispatcher and I know first hand how they save lives. I am not above instilling fear into my children when there is something to fear like the fear of serious injury or death. My children always put their seatbelt on and will not let the vehicle move until they do. They are also very good at making sure their Dad wear his seatbelt and for that I am grateful. I would hate to lose that man because he was stupid and didn't put the thing on. Good luck!

Iridescent - posted on 07/30/2010

We had that issue too and ended up getting the Evenflo Chase DLX. They have a block that prevents it. For our older ones we got a RideSafer vest as well and are very happy with it.

Jodi - posted on 07/30/2010

Amber, do you have a 5 point harness? I never had a problem with my kids getting that off, so I was just wondering if he was still in one :)

Renae - posted on 07/30/2010

Im in Australia and there are heaps of childproof covers for seatbelts. At 2 he would still be in a car seat wouldn't he? They are now supposed to be in a car seat or booster seat with full harness until age 7 according to the new laws. I think all car seat and harnesses have child proof locks. Ask at a dedicated baby store that sells car seats, they should have a childproof cover you can use so your toddler can't take seat belts off!

Renae - posted on 07/30/2010

Im in Australia and there are heaps of childproof covers for seatbelts. At 2 he would still be in a car seat wouldn't he? They are now supposed to be in a car seat or booster seat with full harness until age 7 according to the new laws. I think all car seat and harnesses have child proof locks. Ask at a dedicated baby store that sells car seats, they should have a childproof cover you can use so your toddler can't take seat belts off!