Emmerdale viewers were shocked last night by the “terrible” example the soap set regarding child car safety.
When newborn Seb was taken away from the village in dramatic scenes with mum Rebecca White (Emily Head), eagle-eyed fans were alarmed to see he was strapped into the car seat with thick winter clothing on.
Experts say children should not wear bulky coats when travelling as they can prevent their seat belt from keeping them secure in the event of any sudden movement.
Straps attached over winter coats are often too loose, meaning a child could be propelled forward and not held back by their seat belt if a car breaks sharply.
Parents should be able to slide two fingers snugly beneath the straps of a car seat once their child is fastened in.
Fans of the soap were stunned to see the programme makers display a lack of this knowledge when they showed Rebecca putting a wrapped up Seb in the car so she could flee the village to escape Robert Sugden.
“Do the people of #Emmerdale not know that you don’t put a baby in a car in a massive thick coat. #notsafe”, one tweeted while another asked: “Anyone else disgusted to see Rebecca put the baby in a car seat wearing a coat.”
The alarming moment came as Rebecca made an emotional farewell to her father Lawrence White (John Bowe).
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He told her: “Letting Robert drive you away from your own home again, away from your family, it’s not right.”
But she replied: “You can visit as soon as I am settled but I can’t stay in this village any longer.”
Meanwhile, Robert, played by Ryan Hawley, was making a dramatic car journey of his own as he was driven away by the police after being arrested because Chrissie reported him for fraud.
She planned the distraction to give Rebecca a chance to escape with Robort’s son.
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Emmerdale bosses haven’t confirmed if this is the last we will see of Rebecca although other characters from the White family are set to leave in explosive scenes this Christmas.