Your baby’s safety in the car

Cars are useful gadgets yet they can be dangerous, even lethal. When one has a child or children, it is important for them to consider their safety while in the car. Hence while car shopping; this thought should not be far. Today’s mothers are busy and many a time they have to move around with their child as they do their errands. Below are some tips on how to go about travelling safely with your child. No matter how short the journey, Jane can attest to the importance of this. One day she was going shopping with her two sons, who were seated at the back seat. Sadly she had not securely locked the doors, and one window was half open, with the boys wearing no safety belts.

They experienced a minor accident that was made worse by this fact and she has lived to regret. Beginning with a child’s first journey from the maternity hospital, it is up to you the parent to make sure that your baby is safe while travelling. Many children are injured and killed in car crashes. This is avoidable though, for one can protect their child by simply being more careful on the road and following basic rules.

Never leave your child alone in or around cars, for the child can be strangled by power windows, sunroofs or accessories. The child may accidentally knock the vehicle into gear, setting it in motion. And temperatures can reach soaring levels in the car, resulting in a heat stroke. The child can also get trapped in the car’s trunk! Anyway, now that you have avoided leaving the child alone and are stuck with him in the car. You still have to ensure that:-

Driving style
Ensure that you follow traffic rules. Most important is that you do not over speed. Be especially careful when you are taking on bumps, otherwise your child is at the risk of being tossed up. Many parents will zoom off from the curb after dropping their child to school or to their play group. It is important to always make sure that the child has their feet well onto the ground and are on the right side.

Windows
o Ensure the windows are rolled up. It is easy for a child to get into mischief when the window next to them is rolled down. It is also easy for intruders and robbers to attack you and your child while the car window is rolled down,
o If the weather is really hot. you may roll down the window ever so slightly, at the same time keeping an eye on the child.
o Ensure that the child is properly belted. Caution him not to play with the windows.

Doors
This is crucial, whether your child is walking or not. Fix a child lock, this will ensure that a child cannot get out of the car without your consent. A child lock ensures that you are the only one who can let out the child from the car.

Seating arrangement
o  Children who are 12 years and younger should sit at the back seat. The ideal position is the middle of the back seat. This will protect them from any possible injury, in case a passenger side air bag deploys. Airbags can harm a child since they are designed for a bigger body,
o  Kids should not play in the car. Jumping around only gets to distract the driver, even obstructing him. They should learn to stay calm while in the car.
o  These rules should be followed in every car. not only yours. If asked to sit in the front sit of any other car. the child should decline, albeit politely, telling the driver that he prefers to sit at the back.

Safety seats
Get a car seat for your child. Until your child reaches one year, they must be in a rear facing baby car seat. But once your baby reaches one year of age, they can use forward facing baby car seats.

o The seat should fit your child’s size and age. It should also be correctly installed and fit well into your vehicle. There should be no missing parts: check with the manufacturer to ensure you get the right parts, o Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use the child’s car safety seat. Also be sure to follow the instructions in your vehicle owner’s manual about using car safety seats. You may get this by calling the company’s customer service department.

o Do not place the baby on the front seat of the car. especially those equipped with airbags. If you have to, you may need to disengage the airbags. Some mothers do this especially if it is only them with their child in the car.
o Mothers should never carry their infants in their laps while riding in the car.
o When your child gets older, say one year old, upgrade to a toddler seat. These can be found in major baby shops and supermarkets.
o To ensure that the car seat is properly installed, read the seat instructions.
o Always ensure you wear your seatbelt. This way, you act as a good role model.
o Children of all ages should wear seat belts.

END: 19BL/58