If you are like other parents in Missouri, chances are you drive around with your kids quite a bit. In this case, making sure your child is properly secured in the vehicle as a must. Consumer Reports explains some of the basic principles of vehicle safety for children, so you can rest assured that all passengers are properly secured while driving.
All children of a certain age and weight must travel in an appropriate car seat. Car seats offer an increased level of protection and stability that is essential for keeping babies and small children safe in the event of a crash. As your child grows older, he will graduate to a booster seat and finally a seat belt. Regardless of a child’s age, the safest place for them is in the back seat.
Keep in mind that anything within your vehicle at the time of the crash may become a projectile. Remove potential hazards from the backseat to make sure your kids are not injured. You should also remove any items that young kids might pick up that could prove hazardous, such as tools or toxic chemicals. This is especially important on long trips, where children are bound to become restless and bored.
Finally, make sure you are curbing any possibly dangerous driving behaviors. Texting while driving is very hazardous, but there are other distractions to steer clear of. For instance, if your child needs to be helped in the back seat, pull over the vehicle in a safe area before responding. Dealing with kids while driving is a distraction all on its own, so parents must take the proper steps to mitigate any risks.
