- Prepare some activities that
might help distract your children.
- Pack well for the journey -
Bring whatever you need to be comfortable-pillows, blanket,
favorite toys etc.
Snacks
- Choose snacks, which won't melt in the car and are not likely
to crumble in their packs.
Drinks
- Avoid fizzy drinks as you or your child may get soaked when
they are opened! Also bear in mind that you have no way of
resealing drinks in cans once opened.
Change of cloths for babies and
toddlers is a good idea.
- Ask your older child to
make a compilation tape for the journey. You'd be surprised
how many of the songs you will recognize!
- Make sure to bring along
some of your child's favorite toys and may be a surprise for
when things goes sticky!
- Before departing encourage
your children to go to the bathroom.
Most Important -
Safety
- Never leave young children
unattended in a car park. More importantly don't lock them in.
- Make sure your children use
their car seats or safety belts depending on their age.
You have to be strict on this
one it could be a matter of life or death. If your children
refuse to sit, you have to insist that they do as it's for their
own safety. Most children will go through a stage when they are
toddlers and younger for refusing to go in the car seat. You
must remain firm. Make sure the car seat you have for your child
is suitable and comfortable. Children also copy their parents so
if you do not routinely wear belt, your child will copy you, so
start by setting a good example.
Protecting Kids
In The Car
Not using seat belts is a
life-threatening decision by thousands of adult drivers and
passengers. Unfortunately, children often are the unwitting victims
of this behavior.
Children should ride in a child
safety seat until eight years of age and children aged 12 and under
should sit buckled up in the rear seat of the vehicle.
You should never hold your child in
your lap. An unrestrained infant would instantly be ripped from an
adult's arms in a 30 km/h collision. Do not place a single belt over
yourself and a child. The child could be crushed by your body in an
accident.
An adult seat belt does not provide
sufficient protection. In the event of a collision, the child may
slide beneath it and could be strangled by the belt. As such, the
seat belt must be adjusted to the size of the child.
Article contributed by AAM