4 Tips for Child Passenger Safety
Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week, September 15-21, 2024, is an annual reminder to keep child passengers safe in the car. Prioritizing your child’s safety in the car can seem obvious, but drivers can still lose focus. In 2021, over 162,000 children were injured in car accidents, and driver distractions are only increasing. Along with following traffic laws, taking additional precautions inside the car can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and fatalities.
1. Buckle up
First thing’s first, always wear seat belts. Make sure your child is wearing their seat belt properly (over the lap and shoulder) before the car moves. Never expect them to do it themselves. If they attempt to buckle themselves up or if you’re teaching them how, always check behind them to make sure their seatbelt is secure. Ensure the belt is tight and not worn behind their backs or under their arms. Remind your child to buckle up every time they get in a car, whether it’s your car or someone else’s. With repetition, it will become a natural habit for them.
2. Face your child’s car seat the right way
To ensure your child’s safety, their car seat should be positioned properly based on their age, weight, and height. Car seats should always be in the back seat of your vehicle.
If you have babies or toddlers, their seats should be sitting rear-facing in the back seat until they reach the height and weight limit. Once they outgrow the rear-facing position, it’s time to rotate them to face forward. All-in-one car seats can transform from rear-facing to forward-facing. Once your child reaches about four years old, the car seat can be transformed into a booster seat, allowing them to sit higher. Check your car seat’s manual for when to transition the position of their car seat.
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3. Keep children occupied
Kids can sometimes get cranky and inattentive. Your child could be asking you to hand them a tablet or snacks, which can be a distraction for you as the driver. To keep them occupied during car rides, create a station with books, toys, or other attention grabbers. Gear their attention to something fun so you can keep your attention on the road. Cartoon shows or educational videos can be a fun way to keep them calm while learning. Keep a few snacks and drinks on hand for longer car rides.
4. Wherever you go, they go
Never let your child go unattended or out of your sight. Kids are curious, natural explorers and can wander off within seconds, so keep them close to you when leaving the car. Teach them to wait for you and never run off, especially in public places or around traffic. A child gets abducted every 40 seconds in the United States. As alarming as that statistic is, it’s proof that things happen quickly. Always be mindful of your surroundings, especially when you have your child around.
Taking your child out of the car should be the last thing you do. Leave your car running until you get them out of the car. Ensure you have everything you need out of the car before you get them out so your undivided attention can be on them.
Even though Child Passenger Safety Week is only one week to focus on safety, precautions should be taken year-round. This week is also a good reminder to talk to your children about the importance of vehicle safety. For free resources and training on the importance of protecting children in the car, visit the National Child Passenger Safety Board.
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