How do you keep your children safe in the car? You fasten their seatbelts and keep in them in their car seats, right? Although this is an important step, very few parents realise that there’s a lot more they could be doing to ensure their little ones are safe in the backseat.
The last thing any parent wants is to find themselves involved in a car accident. And having the children in the backseat? It’s the stuff of nightmares. Speak to this personal injury law firm in Lafayette if you’ve been involved in a car crash that could have been avoided and you’ve sustained injuries.
You can’t always control the actions of other drivers but keeping your children safe in your vehicle could make all the difference. And it’ll certainly give you peace of mind whilst you’re driving. Read on for some information on keeping your kids safe in the car.
Make sure their car seat is fitted correctly
Does your child’s car seat move too much? Does it seem loose? If your child is in a crash and they’re sitting in a car seat that isn’t fitted correctly, their life could be in danger. Worryingly, many parents don’t realize that their car seat is fitted incorrectly. If you’re unsure of the stability of your child’s seat, take it back to the store and ask for a demonstration.
Always have the child locks on
Safety first! Keeping the child locks on means your little one won’t be able to open the car doors as you’re driving. And there’s nothing more terrifying than the sound of a door opening when you’re traveling down the freeway! You should also lock the power windows.
Try to keep the car clear
Toys, tablets, smart devices, heavy bags and plenty of junk, if your car is littered with clutter than you might want to have a clear out. If you’re involved in a crash then all these seemingly harmless items could become projectiles, causing serious damage and injuries to you and your children. Get rid of the clutter and keep other items safely stored in the glove box or in-seat organizers.
And finally, never leave your child in the car unattended
You’ve buckled the kids in and then remembered you’ve left your phone in the house. There’s no harm in quickly dashing back inside to get it, right? Wrong! You should never leave your kids in the car unattended. Anything could happen. They could wriggle out of their seats and play with the controls which could cause the car to move, the car could be struck by another vehicle whilst stationary or someone could seize the opportunity to steal your car whilst it’s unattended.
Never leave your child locked inside a vehicle on hot days. Even if it’s just for a moment. Dehydration and heatstroke can kill within minutes – always check your car before you lock it and walk away. It’s easy to forget about a sleeping baby in the backseat when you’re overtired and distracted.
