How to Keep Your Children Safe in the Car
17th Oct 2018
On average, children spend about 3 hours a week in the car with their parents, and around 96 hours a year travelling with grandparents. Every parent wants to make all these journeys safe for their children, but child car safety is about more than just driving safely, or even taking extra caution on the road.
Here are the steps you can take to keep your children safe and comfortable in the car. If you'd like to take a look at our aftercare services to make sure your car is fit for the road, just click the button below.
Choose the Right Car Seat
When you think of child car safety, the first thing that come to mind is probably a car seat. There's a variety available for each stage in your child's development and size, so with the right purchase you can rest assured that your child is travelling safely.
Do not rush your decision when buying a car seat. Be sure to buy one that fits both the weight and size of your child and can be easily secured in your vehicle. You can usually test them before you buy them, but if not, make sure there is a return policy in case it doesn’t quite fit. Read the instructions fully when installing to ensure the seat is fitted correctly and safely.
Additionally, adjust your rear-view mirror so you can see both the road behind you and your child. If you cannot see both there are many additional mirrors/accessories you can buy to increase your view of the back seats.
Baby Seats
Up to 13kg, your child should be placed in a rear facing baby seat. This gives extra support to the baby's head, spine and neck - but only if they are small enough to fit inside. These seats are designed to sit in both the front and back of the car but it is advised to only use the front seat if absolutely necessary. If this is the case, switch the passenger airbag off if possible.
Child Seats
Forward facing child seats are designed to offer protection to children weighing 15-28kg. They can be locked using the seat belt and built-in latch system.
Booster Seats
These cushions are for children weighing 25kg or more. As the name suggests, they ‘boost’ the child’s height so that the seatbelt is fully effective and fits them in the right position. They are also useful if your child often gets lifts from other parents, as boosters are lightweight and can be carried around easily. Note these are only suitable if the rear seats have head rests to offer suitable protection to the child
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