3 Things Parents Can't Afford To Ignore About Car Safety For Kids

With the strict laws about child safety seats in place throughout the country and the natural protective instincts that parents have for their kids, people tend to start worrying about car safety for their kids before they are even born. That's why car seats are common baby shower gifts! You're likely not going to be facing penalties for a speeding ticket when you have your kids in tow. However, some things are more commonly ignored when it comes to car safety for kids. Be sure you're not accidentally ignoring them yourself. That can ensure that you are making parent-teacher conferences and not appointments with a personal injury lawyer about a child's preventable injury.

Fact #1: Slow and Steady is the Only Pace with Kids Along for the Ride

When you have your children with you, don't even think about speeding. You may need a speeding ticket attorney when you go for a joy ride on your own, but speeding with your kids in the car can do much worse than set a bad example for them. The truth is that 31 percent of all fatal crashes include speeding. Put your kids first and drive slowly when they are along for the ride.

Fact #2: Unlocked Doors Can Be Deadly

Automatic door locks are becoming increasingly popular in cars of all makes and models. If you have an unlocked door within reach of your child, accidents can occur when pulling on the handle. If the child has somehow managed to get free of the car seat or it was accidentally fastened incorrectly, the child could them stumble out of the vehicle and get injured or worse. There is also the danger of someone accessing your car from the outside when stopped if you do not have all doors locked. Be sure to have automatic door locks installed in your car or at least get child-proof safety locks for your car doors.

Fact #3: Leaving Your Child in a Hot Car for Any Amount of Time is Not Okay

Every summer children die in the United States after being left in a hot car. In fact, more than 600 preventable deaths of children have occurred since 1990 because those kids were left in hot cars. Even if you are just running in to mail a letter at the post office or running in to buy one item in a store, it's not worth it to risk your child's life in this manner. Temperatures can quickly escalate, and you may not realize how quickly the temperature inside your cat can heat up. They can be in danger in only minutes. Make it a habit to always check for your children when parking your car, and never leave them alone in the car, especially on a hot day.

Finally, keep in mind that keeping kids safe on the road will be made a lot easier as you get into a regular routine of healthy habits. Make it a habit to only pull out of the driveway each morning after double-checking that all safety measures are taken. You may even encourage kids to be a part of it, and make it a fun thing such as doing a sing-song rhyme as you check on things. When it is all a part of a positive habit, it can seem simple and manageable. That's something any parent can appreciate. For more legal or safety information, contact attorneys, like those from Campbell Law Group PLLC.