My toddler can unfasten the buckle on her joie stages car seat, what Now?

[makingmiracles]

So 2yr dd has in the last few days started undoing the buckle on her car seat and climbing out whilst I’m driving. SHE can do this remarkabley easily by putting her thumbs on the top of the button and pushing down.
Each time it’s happened I’ve pulled over where safe to do so and told her off and smacked her hand(never been smacked before but I will use for dangerous behaviour) and she’s cried, but a minute or so later she’s doing it again.

I’ve had 3 other children but used britax first class seats with them and none managed to ever do this, joies seats differ in that the button presses downwards instead of inwards, this seems a bit of a flaw, now.

Rang joie who were not much help and said try vospa website as they have product that stop this, but there is nothing about products for sale to stop kids escaping car seats on their website

I can’t bet through the only one, I googled and found an article last Nov of a woman in Devon who had the joie spin and the same happened with her toddler so it can’t be that uncommon.

What do I do? Telling off is not working, distracting with phone apps is not working....

I told ds a policeman would come and I would get into trouble. Turned back from going to soft play once after telling him I couldn't drive if he was going to press his buckle. Did allow him to do it once I was parked and only then.He was happy with that.

Deal with it the same way you would any other very dangerous behaviour. There's no 'real safe ternative so they have to learn not to do it. Stop the car every single time, as pp said, turn round and go home etc. If you think it would work, bribery , (small sweet for getting to the end of the journey without undoing it)

Unfortunately there is no option to turn around and go home, I’ve children to collect from school in the neighbouring town, but clearly I cannot travel anywhere other than Home-school and reverse, at the moment as it’s too dangerous. On the 10 minute drive she’s undoing the harness 2-3 times.

Think I will have to have a play and see if I can reverse the buckle clip or something, not ideal or probably that safe, but safer than having her running around on the back seat unsecured.

No experience but I have seen it recommended to put a little piece of the prickly side of Velcro on the button - most kids don't like the feel so won't press it. I guess you superglue it 🤷🏻‍♀️

I used to turn round and really shout at DD when she did this which she wasn’t used to and it would upset her. Then I found various devices on Amazon that you can fit to prevent them escaping so it might be worth having a look on there.

Amazon has various seat belt locking devices. My friend tried those but bear in mind you need to research ones that fit you car seat. It goes over your seat belt receiving the end.

I think someone said if they wear something with buttons like a shirt in top then they can’t access as they can’t undo buttons yet??
Maybe worth a google?

Velcro sounds a good idea. You can buy self adhesive Velcro dots.

Be very careful what you buy - there are a lot of products out there that are not actually safe. There's a good Facebook group for car seat safety, it's called something like csftl-Uk (car seats for the littles)

I've heard of a product called a Houdini strap (I think) which stops them doing this. Might be worth a look.

The problem with the clasp coverings devices is that they are all for 3 point harnesses, not five point like this seat is.

I’ve taken the car seat out and had a look but you cannot completely remove the straps of buckle strap, so cannot turn them around, so that’s that idea binned. Dd is also not used to being shouted at so you would think being shouted at and smacked would shock and stop her, but not it seems.

Would put seat in front of car and turn airbag off, but can’t do that either as it’s isafe so only fixed with isofix, can’t be used with a seatbelt to secure.

Joined I joie I anchor group on fb and looks like others have had the sam even prob and have had to go and buy another seat, not what I want to do after spending £250 on it and only having it a year.

HOUdini strap only stops them taking their arms out the straps, she’s actually undoing the buckle/button.

A bit of the rough bit of velcro on the button, and the BeSafe belt collector, which is the only anti-escape device that's been crash tested.

Try the Facebook group Car Seat Advice UK if that doesn't solve the problem, it's a frequently asked question and they have lots of advanced (safe) techniques.

Can you tie a scarf or something around the buckle as a temporary solution?

My ds started doing this age 2 and half. I was able to reason somewhat with him though. If you undo the belt while driving you will get very hurt, worse than (insert last time he had an ouch). I basically scared him into not doing it. Dh also told him some dire consequences.
I did however allow him to undo his own belt when we had reached our destination and lots of praise for waiting etc.
The same with walking along a pavement, he must hold my hand or he has to go in the reins or pushchair.
Ds2 is getting to the same age but hasn't figured out the push button yet so hopefully the same tactics work. This one currently wants to do everything himself.
If dc keeps doing it get a seatbelt lock.