Regardless of your reason for driving a car with a child, the child’s safety is a top priority. Their safety is especially crucial in states with challenging weather conditions and traffic systems.
Part of the safety measure is ensuring a child sitting in the front seat is at the right age. Parents and guardians must also follow proper etiquette to protect children in cars.
This article explains the etiquette for keeping children safe in cars. It also identifies the necessary gadgets for protecting children during road trips and short drives.
What Are the Safety Rules for Children in a Car?
Car accidents involving children are more common than you would imagine. Thus, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes the importance of car safety for children.
According to the CDC, over 63,000 child passengers aged 12 and younger were injured in car crashes in 2020.
Unfortunately, parents and guardians could have prevented this by following the proper safety rules. Luckily, with the right information, you can avoid similar cases.
Here are some rules you need to follow:
1. Car Seat Usage
In many U.S. states, parents must secure children to a federally approved child restraint device. This includes any child aged five or younger.
They must secure infants up to one year in rear-facing car seats. Meanwhile, toddlers and young children should be in forward-facing seats and booster seats.
However, each child’s seat should be based on their height and weight. While doing this, you must consider specific car seat rules:
- Install the car seat according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Use age-appropriate restraints for car seats according to local laws.
2. Never Leave a Child Alone
An increasingly warm climate makes it essential to avoid leaving children alone in cars. Even on normal days, the temperatures in a parked car can rise rapidly.
Child safety is vital to avoid a heat stroke in parked cars. You could face legal consequences for leaving a child under six years old alone for more than 15 minutes.
3. Correct Seat Belt usage
Once children grow enough to fit car seats and booster seats, ensure they use seat belts properly. The shoulder belt should cross the chest and shoulder, and the lap belt should lie firmly across the child’s upper thigh.
4. Securing Loose Items
Be sure to safely stow every item in the car trunk or in secured sections of the car. This will prevent objects from moving dangerously in case of an accident or sudden stops.
5. Limiting Sun Exposure
Install window tints or sunshades to protect children against harmful UV rays. This action will also help to keep the car’s interior cool.
In addition to this, keep water bottles handy and ensure the child stays hydrated during long trips.
6. Activate Child Safety Locks
Always enable child safety locks to prevent the car doors from accidentally opening while driving. Also, window locks should be used to prevent children from rolling the car windows.
7. Reduce Distractions
If you are the one driving, always avoid distractions. Use soft toys or car games to direct the child’s attention elsewhere. Pull over to a safe place if the child requires urgent medical attention.
A few other tips include following the standard speed limit and obeying state laws.
What Next?
Following the guidelines in this article allows you to protect children riding along with you and avoid legal issues. If you’re ever in an accident, stay calm and call emergency service providers immediately. Also, if the accident was not your fault, hire a lawyer who can help you hold the negligent party accountable and secure compensation for your losses.
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