ALT-1 Knowing if your Child is Safe in the Car
Driving with your children can be fun. It is also important to know your child is safe because once you take off you will have to keep most of your attention on the road. Although there are many hazards in the car as well as outside, there are a few precautions you can take to assure your child’s safety.
Seat belts, boosters, and car seats are important tools to keep your child safe as he/she rides in the car. It is very crucial that you have the proper safety device for the age/weight of your child.
Car safety starts from the time you bring your baby home from the hospital. In their first ride in the car your infant needs a rear facing car seat. Be sure to follow all instructions the first time you secure your little one into the car. If you need assistance the nurse that walks you out can give you some pointers. Also most car seats come with a test area that has a bead in it to show you if you have it in the proper position.
After your baby turns a year of age or weighs over twenty pounds they are too big for a rear facing seat and require a forward facing car seat. The good thing is that as long as you always use the same vehicle you only have to install this once. Unlike the infant seat which you usually take out of the car with the baby, this one stays in the car for the most part and you just strap your toddler in. These also come with the bead test to check if it is in correctly. They also have another safety feature which is a strap in the back that clips onto the top of your seat of later model cars.
A lot of the time when a child is four years or over forty pounds parents tend to just put them in a seat belt. This can be a grave mistake. At this stage a child needs a booster seat in order for the seat belt to fit properly and protect them. You should not put your kid in just a seat belt until they are at least eight years of age or eighty pounds. There have been several reports of car seats, boosters, and seat belts saving children’s lives. All of the safety tools only work if installed correctly. Also you should never put your children in the front seat of your car because the airbags can do more harm than good.
You may think that once they are all strapped in you job is done, but be sure to drive safely, especially when your children are in the car. Also keep child locks on in case they happen to try to open the door. Following these tips can give you the peace of mind you need, to know your child is safe while you are driving.
