Accessories - Buckle Covers
All my Safety Harnesses fasten at the back with high-quality ITW Nexus 3 prong side release 1" (25mm) plastic buckles.
For some children, having the buckles at the back of the Safety Harness is enough to prevent them from removing it.
But for others, more security is required and in this case, buckle covers may be the answer.
The buckle cover wraps around the buckle and holds the buckle closed even if it is squeezed. In some cases, the cover is enough of a challenge for the child and they are unable to release the buckle at the back of their harness.
This picture shows two buckle covers on a hunter green Child-to-Adult Harness that was ordered for a 5 year old boy with autism.
The buckle covers cost $2 (Cdn or US) each, and can be used with the buckles on the Safety Harness and/or the buckle that allows you to use the lead as a tie-down.
Description of the Buckle Cover
The ITW Nexus 1" Classic side release buckle has enough space at each end for both the webbing and a strip of velco to fit through.
Each buckle cover is a piece of 2" black webbing with 2 pieces of velcro sewn to the inside.
The pieces of velcro wrap around the buckle and the cover is closed.
If the buckle is pinched, the velcro wrap prevents it from sliding open.
The velco that I use is incredibly "sticky" and these covers are extremely effective.
Attaching the Buckle Cover to the Safety Harness
- feed one piece of velcro between the buckle and the webbing at one end of the buckle and the other piece of velcro between the buckle and the webbing at the other end of the buckle
- close the velcro over the buckle and close the cover over the buckle
- if the buckle is pinched, the velcro wrap prevents the buckle from sliding open
Are Buckle Covers necessary? Will you need them in future?
My Safety Harness will last you for years. Right now your child may not be interested in the buckles at the back of their new harness, but will the same be true in 2 years?
When they are older, will they likely attempt to remove the harness?
The ITW Nexus side release buckles require a fair amount of pressure to open, completely unlike the (cheap!!) side release buckle on our stroller that my son continuously undid when he was 18 months old.
But some children are strong enough and determined enough reach behind their backs and squeeze the sides of the buckle hard enough to slide it open.
If this is likely in your case, either now or when your child is a bit older, then buckle covers for their Safety Harness may be enough of a preventative measure to stop them from removing the harness, or at least delay it's removal long enough for you to notice what your child is doing and step in to calm them down.
Some parents reading this know their child would have these covers off in a second. If that's your case, I would highly recommend my locking carabiners instead of buckles for the Safety Harness.
Buckle covers do increase the security of the Safety Harness. If you feel that increased security may be necessary, either now or in future when your child is older, you can order buckle covers when ordering your Safety Harness.
