Nobody expects it to happen them. But, unfortunately, kids are injured in car accidents or other auto-related mishaps every day. As safe as cars have become, they’re not without faults. Car seats, child locks, and other safety features are great additions that can help protect your children—but only if you use them properly. Here are four simple ways to help keep your kids safe in the car.
#1. Never Leave Your Kids Alone in the CarIt’s so easy but so dangerous. Leaving your kids alone in the car, even for just a few minutes is a potentially disastrous idea. Temperatures inside a parked car can rise dramatically, often reaching temperatures up to 20 degrees higher than the outside air. This could put temperatures inside your car well over 100 degrees in the summer months. Next time you take your kids on a ride, remember to take them outside of the car with you too even if it's just a quick stop at your local convenient store.#2. Make Sure Your Car Seats are Installed CorrectlyCar seats are simple to install ... Just put the seat in the car and strap it down, right? Actually, there’s usually a little more to it than that. Most car seats need to be installed a certain way in order for the seat to function properly in an accident. If you don’t get your car seats strapped in right, your child could be injured in a crash. Studies show, that around half of all car seats are installed incorrectly. Next time you buckle your kids in, make sure to check the instruction manual of your car seat for the best way to install and position it.#3. Keep Your Kids in a Child Safety Seat or Booster as Long as PossibleAnother common mistake made by many parents is taking their kids out of a car seat or boostertoo soon. While it may be tempting to pull your kids out as soon as the law allows—and save yourself the headache of dealing with a car seat—it’s probably safer for your kids to wait. For younger kids, it means waiting until they’re at least two before getting rid of the rear-facingseat. Older kids should stay in a seat with a five-point harness as long as possible and a booster until they’re at least 4’ 9” and 80 pounds.#4. Control the EnvironmentIf you’ve got kids, you know how wild even the shortest trips can become. Unfortunately, kids just don’t understand what’s at stake on the road. While it might seem like a great idea to your three-year-old to scream their favorite song at the top of their lungs or throw their favorite toy at the back of your head, these types of things can have serious consequences. Try to set your kids expectations before jumping in the car. Let them know what is and isn’t appropriate in the car. If your kids get bored quickly or are prone to misbehave, offer a reward for good behavior or encourage them to takea quiet activity along—like a coloring book. You can also try having toys in the back seat to keep them entertained.Keeping Your Kids SafeEven with the incredible safety advances that have been made in modern cars, driving is still dangerous. Take advantage of the resources available and keep your kids safer by using safety equipment the right way and making smart choices like not leaving your kids alone in the car or allowing them to go crazy while you drive. |
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