When it comes to the safety of the kids, safety must be maintained everywhere, even on the car. You would not want your little one to get hurt due to your ignorance. In fact, there are numerous cases where due to the ignorance of the parents, their child suffered injuries while traveling via car. You don’t want your name to be in that list of course. Therefore, in this article, let’s have a discussion on how you can keep your kids safe inside the car.
Never Leave A Child Alone In A Car
This is the first and fundamental safety measure that you have to ensure and that is you just cannot afford to let your child be alone inside the car. Especially, if it is a hot day then you should not leave your child alone. The temperature inside the car could rise rapidly on a hot day and because of that your child could be in danger. Many parents have ignored this and have suffered as well. Therefore, keep this thing in mind.
Child Restraints – Rear And Forward Facing
Using child restraints is a very good option. However, you need to keep in mind certain things before using the child restraints on your baby:
- Make sure that the top tether and harness does not get twisted and they are in firm condition
- Check the pressure of the straps of the harness by putting two fingers in between your child and the harness
- Secure the arms of your child
- Make sure that the harness and the seatbelt’s buckles are placed properly
Booster Seats
Many parents also use booster seats which is also a good way of securing your child. When using booster seats, keep the following things in mind:
- Ensure that the seatbelt is properly adjusted
- Go through the seat belt guide ensuring that the sash part is well poised at the shoulder of your baby
- The lap portion should cover the upper thighs and not the abdominal area
When Can My Child Switch From A Booster Seat To Seat Belts Alone?
Typically you can switch your child from the booster seat to seat belt between 8-10 years old, that is, when they grow at least 145 cms tall. However, he or she has to pass a test. For this, make your child sit in the back seat and fasten a seat belt. Now find out
- If your child is able to sit leaning back comfortably on the car’s seat
- If your child’s knees are easily bent at the rim of the seat
- If the lap belt rest below the tummy, touching the upper part of his thighs
- If the shoulder belt is positioned across the shoulder and chest of the child
- If the child is capable to sit comfortably like this throughout the trip.
If yes is the answer to all of the questions mentioned above, then you can switch your child from booster seat to seat belt
Child Restraints And The Law
There are some common laws for using child restraints which are mandatory to follow in most countries. So, let’s have a look at some of those laws which you should know before using child restraints:
- If your child is below 6 months then you have to use an approved restraint
- If the child is in between the age of 6 months to 7 years then you have to use a restraint which is properly fastened and forward facing.
- If the child is in between 4 to 7 years old then you can use seat boosters
Safety For Babies In The Car
If your baby’s age is less than 6 months then you have to keep in mind the following safety tips:
- Your child must travel with a rear-facing restraint
- Whenever you use the restraint, check the harness whether it is adjusted properly or not
- Use the restraint till your child is grown up
- The adjustment should be made in the shoulder straps as your child grows up
Safety For Toddlers In The Car
Here are some of the tips for keeping the toddlers of the age of 6 months to 4 years safe inside the car:
- You have to use a rear-facing child restraint
- Place your child in the middle seat in the back row of the car which is considered the safest spot.
- When you use the restraints, pay attention to the firmness of the seatbelts
- Make use of child restraints till your baby has grown up
Safety For Children In The Car
Here are some of the tips for keeping the children of around 4 to 7 years safe in the car:
- Always use the front facing restraints
- Sash seatbelts can also be used if your baby’s height is 145cm or more
- If your child is grown up then you should visit an expert restraint fitting center for proper assessment
Options For Children With Additional Needs
Children with additional requirements will have certain challenges while traveling via a car. However, health experts can help them to ensure that they travel safely. Here are certain safety tips for those children while traveling in a car:
- The child restraints should be modified
- It is highly recommended to use child restraint accessories
- Special child restraints for a child with disabilities can be used as well
Traveling With Children
There is no doubt that it is a challenging task to travel with children. However, if you follow the below-mentioned tips then the trip can be as exciting as ever:
- Give praise or reward for good behavior
- Have a chat with your child or sing songs with him or her
- Play fun games
- Take breaks at regular intervals
- If the temperature is very high then you should not leave your child unattended in the car
Where To Get Help
No one can be certain about what happens on the road. Therefore, you should always keep the number of ambulance service providers and hospitals in your phone in case there is an emergency. This will also ensure the safety of your baby.
Conclusion
It is always better to be safe than sorry. Therefore, you should follow the aforementioned tips which will ensure the safety of your child in the car flawlessly.
Source: https://www.beingtheparent.com/child-safety-in-the-car-every-parent-must-be-aware-of/
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