Keeping your little ones safe on the road may seem like a daunting challenge because there are so many irresponsible drivers. Although you can’t prevent every accident, changing your driving habits and implementing a few strategies can help keep your kids as safe as possible when you are on the road. Here are three tips to keep your little ones safe in the car.
1. Use Age-Appropriate Car Seats
As little ones grow, they have new needs when it comes to a car seat. It’s important to keep up with developmentally appropriate car seats to keep your kids safe. When you first bring your baby home in a new Ford for sale, he or she needs an infant carrier that offers incredible neck protection. As a toddler, a kid needs a bigger car seat with a straight back.
Even older kids need a booster seat. While they may be too big for traditional car seats, they need a little elevation to place them in the proper spot so the seat belt is effective at restraining them. Booster seats are the last type of car seat before your kids are big enough to ride in the car without one.
2. Practice Safe Driving Habits
While you can’t be held responsible for the actions of other drivers, you are responsible for your own driving habits. By following the rules of the road, you drastically reduce your chances of being involved in an accident. Do not engage in aggressive driving or speeding. Avoid running stoplights and keep a safe following distance from the car in front of you.
You also need to worry about distracted driving. While driving with kids is not the same as being distracted by your phone, you can still get distracted by questions or a crying baby. Make sure you focus on the road every time you get behind the wheel to reduce the risk of being involved in an accident.
3. Keep Kids Rear-Facing for as Long as Possible
When babies are first born, their spinal cords have not fully hardened and they are at a greater risk of being severely injured in a minor car accident. Using a rear-facing car seat is the best way to protect your little one because it offers more protection than a forward-facing car seat.
While kids only need to ride in a rear-facing car seat for the first year legally, it is best to keep them in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible. Most car seat brands allow you to continue rear-facing through the toddler years so you can be confident that your babies are as safe as possible in the car.
Ride With Peace of Mind
As a parent, the safety of your kids is your top priority. Unfortunately, automobile accidents are one of the most common ways for kids to sustain injury. By using these three tips, you can give yourself more peace of mind every time you get behind the wheel with your children in the car.