Whether you have babies, teens, or kids of all different ages, keeping them safe is one of your top priorities. It's crucial to ensure they are safe and their well-being is taken care of. One of the most dangerous places for them is in the car. The high speeds involved and other vehicles traveling around you make it essential to ensure that you and your children are properly secured when on the road. Here are a couple of things to consider.
Choose the Proper Seat
One of the first things you will need is to determine what car seat your child belongs in. If you have an infant or toddler, they should be in a rear-facing car seat. When you find your new RAM, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge for sale, you may want to measure the backseat to see which car seats will best fit. Other toddlers and preschool-aged children should be kept in a 5-point harness until they are mature enough to hold still when driving with only a seatbelt. Once a child has graduated from the 5-point harness, it's time for a booster seat to ensure they are in the proper position for the seatbelt. Finally, once they are 4'9" and pass the 5-step test for seatbelt readiness, they can use the seatbelt in the car when buckling up.
Install Seat Correctly
When your child needs a seat, you'll need to make sure you properly install it. Whether you do it yourself or ask for the help of a certified child passenger safety technician, follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing the seat. Look for instructional videos online from the manufacturer, which may make the instructions clearer. When you are done, the seat should move no more than one inch in every direction.
Ensure the Child Buckles In Correctly
Having the child bucked in properly is another vital step to ensuring your safety. For children in car seats, the chest clip should be right below the level of the armpits so it is sitting directly on the sternum. The straps should pass the pinch test, and the straps should be under the child's shoulders if they are rear-facing and over their shoulders if the seat is forward facing. Other children should have the seat belt flat across their lap, with the shoulder belt resting on the shoulder instead of under the arm or on the neck.
Don't Dress Child in Bulky Clothing
Another important thing to remember is to not put your child in their car seat with bulky clothing on. You must remove winter coats and heavy jackets before buckling them in. These bulky clothing items can compress in an accident, leaving a large gap between your child and the strap.
Teach Child About Vehicle Safety
Finally, you should stress the importance of being buckled safely in a vehicle when driving. When toddlers are older, let them assist in bucking themselves in if they can. Of course, you'll want to ensure they did so correctly before driving. Encourage your older kids and teenagers to buckle up every time, no matter what.
Conclusion
These steps should all play a significant role in keeping your children safe when traveling in the car. Doing your part to ensure their safety not only protects them on the road, but teaches them the importance of prioritizing staying safe while in the car.
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