As its winter again its time for the refresher on winter tips. I've even found some new ones that I thin are pretty cool. NO winter coats in car seats. any car seat, any size. Even adults are safer without a bulky winter jacket. cover a child with a blanket over the car seat buckles, and keep a thin sweater underneath. Thin layers are your best option. Bulky winter jackets can compress if you stop fast or there is an impact, and allows room for the child to go slip out the carseat even while buckled in. ICE your cell phone. Build a contact I'm your phone and label it ICE. In Case of Emergency. This will include the information of who emergency personnel or hospital staff should contact if there's an emergency. Perhaps note any medical issues they should be aware of immediately. This is being passed around by many of my friends who work as emergency responders so they are looking for it on the scene. I also choose to keep a small wallet with my child at all times that includes her health care card, allergy information, and contact numbers for myself and her father. ICE your child's car seat. Put a sticker on the car seat that includes your child's name, birthday, allergies, and emergency contact information. This is also a great place to include your name and you can include your birth date as well. This simple information can help responders provide necessary car for yourself and your children. Keep an emergency or "hit the ditch" kit I'm your trunk. This should include all the normal things. Granola bars, candles, flashlight and batteries, blanket, kitty litter (to get traction under tires and get out of said ditch), and if you can get a folding shovel they can be great too. There's lots of places to find already made sets and lots of versions online that you can pack yourself, tailor it to suit you and your needs. Check that all seatbelts and car seats are properly fitted and intact. Keep headlights clean and working well, change all bulbs as soon as they burn out. If you can get winter tires get them! My first winter with them I ventured to places and events I otherwise wouldn't have gone too. You still need to drive carefully, but breaking time is greatly improved.