6 Tips for Keeping Babies Safe In The Car
I feel like I’m in my car with one or both kids All. The. Time. Days just go faster and we all feel happier when we’re on the move. We drive to preschool, playdates, parks, the pool and lots of other places that don’t start with P.
I live in a region with high traffic and quantifiably bad drivers so road safety is an issue. You never know when some self-important jerk who thinks the laws about not using cell phones while driving don’t apply to them will rear-end you as they try to beat a light through a crowded intersection. Obviously, I have my kids strapped into car seats to keep them as safe as possible but there are other things that can increase our safety in the car. Here are a few key steps I take:
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Don't Talk on the Phone or Text
My state has actually passed laws prohibiting cell phone handset use and texting while driving. Really, that should be common sense by now. Cell phones are time and attentions sucks when you’re not going 60 mph. Why risk it when you’re in motion?
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Dont Eat and Dirve
I recently got rear-ended by a young man who was looking down to grab his breakfast from a fast food bag and rolled into my car. My baby was less than a month old at the time and to say I was freaked would be an understatement. Everyone was fine but it was a reminder that food is best consumed at a table.
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Clean Out Loose Objects
My car is often littered with kids books, discarded sweatshirts, and empty water bottles. I try to be vigilant about cleaning them out each evening because I don’t want them flying around like missiles in the event of a crash. A car seat won’t protect anyone from being hit by a travel coffee mug.
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Secure The Cargo Area
This is something I need to do. My trunk area is open and the last thing I want is my groceries - or my stroller - being shaken loose by an accident and flying over the seat back into the passenger space. I’m looking into a cargo net to hold everything down.
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Check Car Seat Installation
Once a week or so I like to check that my car seats are still fastened correctly and haven’t gotten loose. It’s a quick thing and it gives me peace of mind.
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Keep Up Routine Maintanence
Sure, adding an oil change to your schedule or new tires to your budget can be a hassle, but it can make such a difference. I like to take my car to a trusted mechanic for stuff like oil changes so I can have him eyeball the whole thing and tell me if he sees any potential problems before they crop up.
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By always always checking that the straps are the right height for baby and that baby is buckled in correctly! Also using the little lock straps for the car seat instead of a seat belt that my older child could accidently unbuckle! Our second child is on the way and we dont have a car seat yet! And I have been obbsessing over it since the test came back posative! We have a graco stroller from our first kiddo that we love love love!
By double (and triple) checking (with certified experts!) that the car seats are installed properly!
We double check the straps and periodically make sure the cars eat base is snug enough to the latch.
I am a much more defensive driver than before, and try to anticipate and stay away from impatient drivers.
we always make sure the carry bar is folded behind the seat after the babe gets locked in!
I noticed that the base for our cars eat loosens over time so I check it periodically to make sure it is still tight to the seat.
I listen to NPR instead of conservative talk radio. It keeps my blood pressure lower !
Not just for baby, but for you as well — obey the laws of the road. Watch your speed, be aware of your surroundings, follow traffic signs, do not participate in road rage. Seems simple enough.
I make snacks and drinks spill-free as often as possible. Nothing quite as distracting as a screaming, crying kid who’s sitting in a puddle of apple juice.
If you only have one child keep him in the center of the back seat in the event of a side impact. And most cars by now have a LATCH hook system to attach the carseats rather than using a seat belt. Investing in a good vehicle would help leopard peace of mind.
We are not afraid or ashamed to pull off safely to comfort baby, even if that means we will be late. Screaming baby=stressed out momma which means I probably wouldn’t be driving my best.