How to Keep Kids Safe in the Car

There are many ways to keep your child safe in the car. I like to think of it as a threefold project. You need to follow car seat safety tips, take extra precautions to keep kids safe, and there are ways to keep the kids busy, so you can stay focused on the road.

Car Seat Safety Tips for Parents

There are many important factors to consider, when it comes to car seats. First, you want to make sure that you have the proper kind of car seat. There are rear facing, forward facing, high back boosters, and regular boosters. It is recommended that all children under the age of two remain rear facing. You will also want to be sure that your child meets the minimum height and weight requirements, associated with your car seat.

Once you have found the car seat that suits your child’s needs, the next step is installing it properly in your vehicle. Before deciding on the placement of your car seat, check out your vehicle’s manual. The back seat of some vehicles are not made to secure car seats in the middle of the seat, with the latch system. Once you have installed your car seat, check with your local hospital, police department, or fire department to see if they have a certified car seat technician to double check your work.

Extra Precautions to Keep Kids Safe

There are many other things to consider when it comes to car seat safety. In the winter months, it is important that your children do not wear their heavy winter coats, while buckled. Wearing coats, while being buckled up, means that the strap will be looser. This means the car seat may not fully be able to serve its purpose in the event of a crash.

Warm up the car before loading up the kids, invest in a warm poncho that can be worn over seat belts. Put the coat on your children backwards, so that their arms and chest are still covered, or simply bring a blanket to help keep your little ones warm. Make sure to keep your window locks, and safety locks on, so that the doors cannot be opened by curious little hands, while in motion.

Games Kids Can Play in the Car

Keeping toys and coloring books in the car are a great way to keep the kids busy, but they are also dangerous, in the event of a crash. There are plenty of games to play that do not involve toys. Have a scavenger hunt for different kinds of license plates, certain color cars, or even cars with headlights or tail lights out. Playing “I Spy, With My Little Eye” can last for hours, as well! It is also fun to create stories, verbally. Each child gets to say one or two words, then someone else continues on the story with their own one or two words.

Keeping your kids safe in a car comes down to you following these tips. Always be cautious when it comes to keeping kids safe in the car. If you’ve been in a car accident and want legal help, click here for more information.