The Fab Mom On 2: Keeping Kids Safe In The Car During A Road Trip
June is National Safety Month. Here are some quick tips for keeping kids safe in your car if you're taking a road trip this summer.
- Don't forget the first aid. Having a kit, even if very minimal, is always recommended. At the very least, pack extra water, Band-Aids, antiseptics and a flashlight should you need them on the road.
- Keep the weight down. Large items like suitcases and strollers should be packed on the bottom of the trunk with lighter loads on top. If you have a trunk cover to pull over the items, use it. The last thing you want is for those items to become projectiles inside the car should you have to stop suddenly or get rear ended.
- Check your car seats. According to SafeKids.org, three of four car seats are not installed correctly. Certified safety technician and founder and CEO of The Tot Squad Jennifer Beall Saxton stresses the importance of making sure your child is in the correct car seat according to their age and weight. Kids in California under 2 should be in rear-facing seats. Seats should be secured tightly in the car using the LATCH and tether system or the seat belt, but never both. The buckled chest clip should sit right on top of the breastbone between the child's shoulders.
Most importantly, stow your phone out of reach while behind the wheel. The National Safety Council estimates that 26 percent of crashes are caused by distracted driving.
For additional information about car seat safety, visit SaferCar.gov or the following links:
http://www.safekids.org/checklist/car-seat-checklist-parents-pdf
http://www.safercar.gov/parents/carseats/How-To-Install-Car-Seat-Tips.htm
Car seat cleaning and additional installation help can also be found at http://thetotsquad.com/.
