Once we have children, we are no longer solely responsible for ourselves. It is important to protect the life that we have brought into the world. We only want the best for our little protégé. As a parent, you are often at odds with this. On the one hand you want to protect your child from danger, but on the other hand you want to trust him to do something so that he can gain self-confidence and become independent. In everyday life there are many situations in which one can weigh up. There is no choice when driving with children. In my opinion, security is an absolute priority there.
Driving with children: safety first
Driving is dangerous enough anyway. We are never alone in traffic. Accidents happen without being able to influence. Therefore, (child) safety in the car should be a top priority. Even supposed little things can protect against serious injuries or even death.
In the following you will find important information about child safety in the car. Although you are certainly aware of many of the safety tips, I would like to focus on them again. Because, as already written, in an emergency they decide between life and death.
- Use a suitable child seat in the car
It is important here that you use a seat that is suitable for the age group. To ensure child safety, it is essential that the child seat is correctly installed and that the child is correctly buckled in the car seat. Therefore, as soon as the children buckle up themselves, you should always make sure that the belt guide is correct.
In addition, studies show that children up to the age of 4 are much safer to ride in a reboarder than in a forward-facing child seat. Without a child seat, children are only allowed to drive from a height of 1.50 m.
When buying a child seat, never compromise on the quality and always go for one which is both sturdy and comfortable. You can find the best car seats for trucks, SUVs and other makes on vendors like carseatcenter, who sell their products through Amazon and can have them delivered to your house.
- Do not transport children in snowsuits or winter jackets
When you get into a cold car in winter, you are tempted to do so in a thick jacket or snowsuit. Unfortunately, this is extremely dangerous because the belt cannot fit snugly on the body. The result: in the event of an accident, the belt cannot grip properly because it slips or exerts pressure in the wrong place. This can lead to serious injuries.
If your child should freeze in the car, warm them with a blanket that you place over the strapped child. A parking heater is of course even more convenient.
- Always keep your eyes on the road
Especially on longer journeys, but also in city traffic, we have the urge to quickly squint at the smartphone, read a message or make a call. On behalf of your children, I ask you to absolutely refrain from doing this. Safety first. Messages can still be replied to five minutes later. Should you be on the road for a longer period of time, just take a short break and only then look at your cell phone.
Unfortunately, children have a habit of quarrelling anytime, anywhere. If you have two fighters in the back seat again, it is important to keep calm and keep your eyes on the road, otherwise dangerous accidents can occur.
- Do not over-pack the car
Even if the temptation is great and the car is too small, don’t pack the trunk and the back seat too full. In the event of an accident, the pieces of luggage can become dangerous projectiles that fly uncontrollably through the car. A luggage net, a closed trunk cover and the rule to stow the heaviest parts in the trunk at the bottom provide more security. Lashing straps or transport boxes also contribute to more safety in the car.
- Trust is good, control is better
One last tip: make sure to secure the doors and windows. In most cars, this is now possible at the push of a button. Even though the children know that they are not allowed to play by the doors and windows in the car, the temptation is great.
Accident with a child: what to do?
Of course, despite all caution, an accident can always occur – be it your own fault or no fault of your own. Here, too, of course, the safety of the children comes first. Make absolutely sure that nothing has happened to the children and that they are well looked after. Under no circumstances let her sit in the damaged car and try to stay calm as possible. Only when the children are safe do you take care of the damage.
