Child Safety

First let’s discuss child safety seats. Remember to always read the instructions for installation. If you have any questions about the installation, call the manufacturer. You’d rather have the child safe and secure. For infants it is recommended riding rear facing until they are age or (or weigh at least 20 pounds). Toddlers and Preschoolers can ride forward facing but remember the 20 pounds weight from before.. School-aged children can use a booster seat until adult seat belts fit correctly which is usually when they are 8 to 12 years old (or is about 4’9” in height). Older children should ride in the back seat until 13 years of age and of course always be in a seat belt. I have a brother whose child is still in a booster seat and she’s 8. They can’t even begin to think about her remaining out of it for her safety. Many of these things can be learned in drivers education.

Remember to set a good example by always using your seat belt and NEVER leave your child unattended in a car. Remember to listen to your child but don’t try to turn around and hand toys or juice etc to them. That’s just dangerous.

While transporting my niece years ago I would put her bottle with her and a toy or book to keep her busy. If she got too cranky, I’d pull over and see what was wrong. She loved riding in the car and often times slept within minutes of getting in.

Don’t let the kids fight in the car. Instruct your children in the rules of the car. They need to be quiet while you drive; no throwing of toys or fighting with another passenger, and they need to remain in their seat. Now they have DVD players in a lot of vehicles. What a great invention but remember you need to be able to pay attention to the road not the noise of the DVD player.

Driving in school zones

If you didn’t know, you can be fined by not obeying traffic laws regarding school zones. It’s not difficult but it does take patience. Remember to stop when a school bus has its red flashing lights on and extended stop arm out. If you pass them, you can be reported (remember you do have a license plate that gives personal information about you when someone looks it up – you can’t avoid it) and get fined. An even worse scenario is you rush through a school zone and hit a child that is making his/her way to school. Be alert. Children that are walking to school or even riding bikes may not cross the street where they are supposed to. It is an unfortunate fact but one that motorists must realize. Many parents are only thinking of their child and getting them to school and fail to pay attention to other motorists or even other children. It’s not a race to see what child gets their first and then how fast you can get to work. Take your time. When a bus stops to let children off and the bus person takes a walk around checking under the bus for children we find it funny but in reality they are ensuring that children are safely away from the bus when it pulls out. Can you say the same for your children or their classmates? Gives yourself and give children (not only yours) time. Obey the laws and parents and teachers teach your children the proper way to cross the street and remind them of the dangers of playing close to the street. A ball can easily get missed being caught and a child will immediately dart into the street to get it without realizing the dangers.

Seat Belts

I wasn’t one who wore seat belts when I first started driving. They made me uncomfortable. I’ll admit it, that’s the excuse I used. It wasn’t the law when I first started driving so it wasn’t a big deal. Now it’s best not to get caught by a police officer without yours on but even more to the point it is best not to get into an accident without having one on or you might find yourself NOT getting out at all. Why the sudden change of heart, other than the risk of a ticket? I have been in a few accidents, minor ones in comparison to most but still an accident or two always with my seat belt on. I did have some injuries but minor in comparison as well. My biggest turning point was talking to a friend. Her child was killed because they didn’t have their seat belt on and collision reenactment people noted that the child would most likely still be alive if they had been in a seat belt. We’ve all seen horror stories on the news of people being killed because they didn’t wear their seat belts. BELIEVE THEM. It is not just some hoax being played out by the seat belt manufacturers. Course there is always the chance, depending on the type of accident, that maybe you shouldn’t be in a seat belt but why chance it. Also remember it is not just for the driver. EVERYONE in your vehicle should be in some type of restraint. That is from children to the elderly and all ages in between and even YOUR PET. Fido/Fluffy doesn’t need his/her head out the window. It only takes a moment and that moment you buckle up may save your life. I’d rather be uncomfortable and alive.