Is Your Car Child – Proof ?
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Is Your Car Child – Proof ?
Nothing is more terrifying as a parent than the car not being safe. Of course, depending on what side of the fence you sit on, your car may be in more danger from the kids and their sticky fingers! Joking aside, it’s incredibly important to make sure that your vehicle is safe and secure when the kids are traveling in it.
After all, car journeys are hard enough with the kids shouting ‘are we there yet?’ every five minutes without adding to the stress that your car may be more perilous than what you thought. Whether it’s the fear of them opening doors or choking on rubbish, your car needs to be safe and secure for your most precious load.
How can you ensure that your car is a haven of Here are six simple steps that you can follow with ease.
Step 1: Get the right car seat
Although this may seem like parenting 101, so many people fail to have the right car seat for their children. Not having the right car seat can cause a whole host of issues. Do ensure that you have a group 0 car seat for babies under 9 kg and do make sure that it’s rear facing. As baby gets older, make sure that you go up in car seat groups for the required age and size restrictions. Try to keep your little one rear facing for as long as possible. This ensures that they are protected in a more robust way in the event of an incident. Always make sure that your child is in the back of the car and in the centre seat where practicable to minimize impact in the event of an accident.
Step 2: Check the child locks on the car
Child safety locks now come as standard in most new cars, but if you have an older model, it’s vital that you look into getting your car up to the required standard. Many of us fail to activate the car safety lock, but it’s super important that you do. After all, little hands love to reach out and grab things that they are not meant to! You will find that the child lock mechanism is in the rear of the car (and you know that your baby should always travel in the rear of the vehicle to maximize safety) within the door. Simply flick the lock in the door to ensure that the door cannot be opened from the inside. This small mechanism disables the ability to open the door from inside the vehicle. It’s so much more than though; it’s peace of mind.
Step 3: Teach your kids about car safety
Teaching your children about the importance of car safety may cause them to roll their eyes, but it’s important that they are aware of the rules of the road. Make them aware that they need to wear their seatbelt at all times. Ensure that they don’t flash lights on to the road. Remind them that they don’t open the doors of the car. Tell them about how they have to be careful on car parks and to hold your hand. It may seem like you’re nagging them, but it’s imperative that car safety is given the respect that it deserves.
Step 4: DIY security checks – create a plan
OK, so you don’t have to recreate a DIY MOT plan at home, but it’s important that you conduct some necessary safety checks every three months to ensure that you and your family are safe on the road. Check your lights, horn, brake and tyres as a minimum. Then, investigate the exhaust, clutch and fluid levels to ensure that your car is in premium condition and is safe to drive. While it may sound silly, do make sure that you have adequate cover too. Money Expert’s car insurance is a great place to start. Make sure that you do your 15 point safety check every quarter so that you and the family are safe and secure, and so that your insurance isn’t void.
Step 5: De-clutter the car
Clutter in the car is a personal pet peeve. We’re all guilty of throwing rubbish in the footwell, but with kids in the car, it’s a definite no-no. While it’s convenient to throw trash in the back of the car, you are also posing health problems for your child. Receipts, bottles, and wrappers are all appealing to smaller babies who love the bright colors and textures. Unfortunately, their eagerness to explore means that choking hazards are ever-present. Make sure that all rubbish is thrown away and other important bits that are needed, such as cleaning products, are stored in the trunk. That way, little hands will be safe on even the most boring of car journeys.
Step 6: Have an emergency breakdown kit
No, we don’t mean chocolate and wine for when the little terrors are kicking your seat, we mean things like a spare tyre, a blanket and torch and extra coolant in the trunk. Think about all the things that you are likely to be caught short without if you do happen to break down. Even having a couple of non-perishable snacks in the back can ensure that any car issues that take place means that extra stress can be avoided. Pack a small essentials kit in the rear of your car to ensure that you don’t get caught short.
Let’s wrap up…
Child-proofing the car is all about being sensible. You don’t have to wrap the kids up in cotton wool, but you do need to make sure that your car is safe on the outside and the inside. Follow this six-point plan and keep your loved ones safe. Keep your car clean, make sure that you do regular inspections, always have a backup plan in case of emergencies and educate your children about car safety. Just as you would the home, it’s time to childproof the car. As the old adages goes; safety is not a gadget but a state of mind.
Tags: car safety, child locks on the car, right car seat, spare tyre
