Children require care and love, but most importantly, they need protection. Just as you help your kids become more responsible and organized, you also need to ensure that they are in a safe environment. One of the places that can be unsafe for kids is the roads. Travelling can be fun, but you must be extra careful with kids around. Even a little ignorance could lead to a crash or something worse. So protecting your child during any journey is of immense importance.
Keep in mind the passenger safety guidelines while running errands. You might not have control over other drivers, but at least you can take precautions to minimize the chances of collisions. With the correct steps, you can save your kid’s life.
Use Seat Belts
Without seat belts on, the chances of suffering injuries increase significantly. So, everyone must use seat belts while on the road. You could even use something to hold the child’s head straight, like the NapUp head restraints. A head restraint stabilizes the child’s head and neck. It also saves him from an accident’s impact.
Often we see drivers carrying kids in their laps which is dangerous. One seat belt is for one person. So place kids on a separate seat.
Use Child Safety Locks
Every vehicle has child safety locks, and you should activate them when you have kids with you. Safety locks on the door and windows prevent kids from opening them during the journey. Hence, these safety locks save the child from unwanted harm.
Kids are not much aware of their surroundings nor that intelligent. For a more peaceful journey, activating child locks is necessary.
Use Proper Seats
Everyone passenger should know their place, especially kids. Children below the age of 12 need to be in a child seat. These custom seats are the best shield for your kids.
Before buying a car seat, ensure it is according to your kid’s needs. Keep in mind your child’s needs like his weight, physique, height, and age. Then you will be able to purchase the correct seat.
Don’t Let Kids Eat During the Journey
Another dangerous practice is munching in the car. You might think eating a few snacks is harmless, but the reality is the opposite. Your kid might choke on a piece of food, and you might not notice. By the time you take action, the situation could get worse.
If your kid feels hungry, feed him at the start. You can also enjoy meals after stopping your vehicle at the side of the road. When you’re not driving on a bumpy road, the chances of choking decrease.
Don’t Text and Drive
Distracted driving causes hundreds of deaths every week. Amongst the long list of distractions, using a mobile phone while driving is at the top. We have become addicted to our phones, but using them while handling the steering wheel is dangerous for you and your kids.
Put your phone to the side when you are driving. Furthermore, if the weather conditions are extreme or the road is unknown, using a phone could result in a mishap.
Don’t Leave Children Alone in the Vehicle
Locking a child alone in the car is equivalent to putting his life in danger. Every year kids lose their lives in locked cars because of the heat or the lack of ventilation. Be vigilant about the location of your child. Before locking, check if anybody is in the car or not.
Don’t leave Kids around Parked Cars
Don’t let your kids go near cars, even if they are parked and locked in a safe area. In case of a malfunction, your kid could lose his life. Similarly, kids hiding behind cars are not seen by drivers and could get harmed in the process.
Remove Winter Clothing Before Strapping Your Child
Most overprotective mothers strap their kids while they are wearing jackets or coats, but it puts the child at risk. Take off large or warm clothes before placing your child in his seat.
The extra layer of clothing loosens the grip of the belt, which means your child is not properly secured.
Don’t Make Exceptions for Short Trips
Even if you are going to the nearby store, don’t forget to use safety protocols such as using a seat belt or putting your child in a dedicated kid’s seat.
Keep Kids Calm During a Journey
Try to teach your kids about staying calm in the car. Inform them about the negative outcomes if they throw tantrums or yell during the journey. The driver isn’t distracted when everyone with them is calm.
Stashing heavy tools or packages on the shelf behind the rear seat can be dangerous. During a crash, these items could knock you out. So place them as far as possible or in a tightly locked compartment.