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.

Family in car looking severely puzzled by the passing Citroen

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

Install Window Blinds

Cars can get extremely hot, especially on a sunny day. Children can overheat easily, but you can protect them from the heat and glare of the sun by installing window blinds. They are cheap, effective, and easy to attach, and will put your mind at rest on hot days so you can focus on driving. However, make sure you test your window blind before purchasing to make sure it does not create another blind spot.

Keep the Windows Locked

Children winding down the windows is a danger as they could climb out of the car or get a limb trapped. Having your window locks for the back of the car switched on prevents this, and also makes sure the window blind does not fall out.

Check your Tyres Regularly

In the UK, unsafe tyres caused 1,075 accidents in 2016 alone. It's also thought that over 1 in 4 child carers are driving with poorly maintained tyres. It’s therefore imperative that you check your tyres regularly. Tyre safety is child safety, and at Evans Halshaw we understand the influence a healthy vehicle has in ensuring child safety on the roads.

If you're unsure about the current state of your tyres, book your Free Tyre Check now or book one of our Free Vehicle Health Checks for a thorough check of your car.