Child Safety When Travelling in a Vehicle
Children have never been easy to handle. They are innocent
and have no idea what kind of danger is lurking just around the corner. They need to be told and guided almost every minute when outside. Inside a
vehicle they are mostly strapped in baby car seats as toddlers but as they grow bigger
they are free to sit like adults with seat belts on.
Parents want to take their children out to expose them to the
world but certain precautions have to be taken. Preparing the children as well
as oneself before leaving home can make life easier. Toddlers don’t care for
any safety measures and will not understand why you are doing what they are
doing. They may feel inconvenienced and irritated but as parents you know
what’s important and how you can secure their safety.
For very young children traveling in cars it is recommended to use an infant car seat. The first thing that adults need to do is fasten the seat
belts for the kids. They also need to do it to set an example for the toddler
to follow. Of course driving the vehicle at a speed that is safe for everyone in it is paramount.
It is also suggested that you carry along food like biscuits
or cookies that the child likes and would enjoy when hungry if you are driving
someplace that will take an hour or so. Though it is not related to their
safety, keep hand wipes as kids will touch EVERYTHING even when inside a car
and they might end up with germs.
Seat belts are for securing the child in place. Injuries and deaths are reduced by half every year because of seat belts. A lap and shoulder belt makes for the best protection for the children. In the US most cars alarm you with noise and a light that the driver has not buckled up, but the children who are in the backseat need to buckle up too before the driver starts.
Kids might complain of difficulty in moving with the seat
belt on but they need to be explained how this inconvenience will pay off
hugely. They must learn to not move around much when inside the car.
While we don’t expect children to be reading this article, it
is up to the parents to ensure they have done what is needed to keep them safe. Use
examples of how a seat belt has saved the life of a kid when travelling to
create the right image in the child’s mind.
- Jon Matthis
