5 Important safety tips if you have kids in the car

In Control: 5 Important safety tips if you have kids in the car

Angela Goh

28 Dec 2016

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Secure potential projectiles
Nobody wants objects flying about in the car after sudden braking or acceleration. In fact, anything that isn’t properly secured could potentially end up becoming a deadly projectile in the event of a crash. This can include everything from baby seats to strollers, sporting equipment to bags, and even mobile phones and GPS devices. It’s best to leave large and loose objects in the car boot, and to buckle up unused baby seats. Put smaller items like handbags on the floor of the car instead of on the seat.
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Ensure all your passengers are buckled in
More than half of people who perished in car crashes were reportedly not wearing a seat belt at the time. The statistics speak for themselves. Be sure everyone in the car is buckled up before you start the car. Young children should be seated in an appropriate car seat or booster seat - not having the right seat installed in your car for your little one could render seat belts hazardous instead of helpful.
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Never leave your child alone inside your car
Leaving your child alone in a car is a recipe for disaster. From horror stories of people stealing babies by hopping into the unmanned vehicle and driving off, to kids overheating in the car on a hot day, there are many things that could go wrong. If you’re leaving the car for a few minutes, be sure it is well-ventilated. But never keep your eye off your little ones if you can help it!
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If your teen is learning to drive, be sure to teach them to be proactive on the road
Teenagers learning to drive are still very new to the rules of the road, so it’s a good idea to constantly remind them about safe driving habits, like not texting or reading their messages on the road. And always make sure they know the consequences of breaking rules like not wearing a seat belt or going over the speed limit.
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Drive defensively
Always be aware of your surroundings when you’re behind the wheel, and never depend on other drivers - stick to the speed limit, not the speed others are going at. Always keep a lookout for road changes! You may have driven down a street a hundred times, but that doesn’t mean you can let your guard down just because you are very familiar with the area!

Whether you’re out on a long road trip or just dropping the kids off at school, here are some basic rules you must know when it comes to driving.

When you’re at the wheel and you have young children sitting in the back of your vehicle, it’s important to always take everyone’s safety very seriously, not just your own. This is especially true when you’re driving along the busy streets of our increasingly crowded city. Whether your trip is over hour long or just a measly 5 minutes around the block, anything can happen on the road in that time, so it’s your job as a parent to keep potential dangers to a minimum.

Head up to the gallery above to familiarise yourself with 5 important safety tips to follow if you have kids in the car. It doesn’t pay to be unprepared on the road!

Angela Goh

Photos: Getty Images

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