Safety pointers every parent (and driver) should know
So you’ve decided to have a baby. Congratulations! Just as much as your home life
will change with the addition of this new bundle of joy, so should your driving
habits and the safety precautions you take.
Children have individual needs at specific ages, therefore it is important to
be readily aware of these needs even before your son or daughter arrives. Though
this information is widely available and often discussed, it can sometimes be
confusing or overwhelming for a new parent, or any driver for that matter. For
clarity and safety’s sake, here are some pointers, courtesy of www.parentsplace.com.
Before your baby is born, purchase a car safety seat that fits securely into your
car and is convenient to operate. Your baby needs to be well-protected right from
the start. It is critical that the restraint be not only well-secured with a seat
belt, but that your child is securely buckled in.
In the early weeks, when your baby might not have good head control, it is helpful
to use a head support intended for car seat use or roll up a baby blanket to place
around your baby’s head to steady it. Otherwise, his or her head will have a tendency
to flop from side to side.
Never place your infant in the front passenger seat. This is especially important
if your car has a passenger-side air bag. If the air bag deploys in the event
of a crash, the force and rapid expansion could kill or injure a child, even when
he or she is safely secured in a car seat.
If your baby is sick or needs constant attention, it is important to have an adult
sit in the back to help care for him or her. It can be very distracting (and dangerous)
for the driver to keep turning around to care for the baby. The rear-facing position
is the most protective. It is important not to move your child into a full-size
safety seat too soon. Your baby should weigh at least 20 pounds AND be one-year-old.
If your child is very large, but still well under a year of age, it is still very
important for him or her to be placed in a rear-facing seat while riding in the
car.
Some rear-facing car seats have an upper weight limit from 22 to 25 pounds. Some
of the newer seats accommodate children up to 30 pounds or even more. Each seat
should have a fact sheet so read carefully before selecting a car seat for your
child.
As much as you might be tempted to hold your new little one in your arms, it just
isn’t the time or place for cuddling. Make it a rule, right from the start, to
have everyone in the car securely belted-in for each and every trip.
