Many parents go to extra lengths to childproof their home to keep their kids safe from harm. Aside from the house, it is also important that parents childproof their car to protect children from potential risks inside the vehicle.

Ask yourself this question, are you sure that your child is safe when you hit the road? There should never be gray areas when it comes to a child’s security and safety. Here are some childproofing measures that may prevent injuries and save your child’s life.

Take time to choose the right car seat for your child. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is very strict about child restraint system safety, particularly on booster seats and restraints for children based on weight. Check your state’s car seat laws to guide you when shopping for a car seat.

Ensure your kid’s safety on the road by choosing the best suited car seat based on his or her age, height and weight. Getting the right seat may help reduce the risk of death or injury due to a collision. Avoid buying one secondhand or used. Do not exchange safety for a bargain. It is recommended that you buy a brand new seat to ensure that has passed the current safety tests. A new one also gives the consumer the leverage of having the manufacturer’s warranty. Follow the manual for the correct installation.

Always buckle up for safety. Before leaving your home, it is advisable that you secure child restraints especially if they have gotten loose. Teach your child how to buckle the booster seat under your supervision. Double check if the booster seat is secure before heading out. Remember that unused shoulder belts are potentially dangerous to a child because of the risk of strangulation. Keep them away from your child’s reach.

Take advantage of child-proof safety locks of your car. Most cars, especially newer models, sold in the United States are equipped with child-proof lock. Take advantage of this safety feature to prevent little kids especially active toddlers from inappropriately getting out of the car, particularly while the vehicle is in motion. The child-proof safety locks are usually activated by the driver. Refer to the owner’s manual for proper instruction.

Take note that this safety feature has a disadvantage. If your kid accidentally locks himself or herself inside or if you unintentionally lock your keys in the car with your child, your kid will not be able to unlock the door next to him. It is advisable to keep a spare key handy in case this kind of situation occurs. Without a spare key, you might need to call a police or professional mechanic to jimmy your car door lock.

Remove potentially dangerous and loose items in your car. It is highly recommended that you keep choking hazard items out of reach, such as loose change and other small items that your child might accidentally put inside his or her mouth. Clear out sharp things that may fly around or fall directly on your child if the brakes are suddenly applied. Remove things that may poison your child such as car fluids inside the car.

Source by Joseph Joffo