12 Child Safety Tips for Holiday Traveling

The holidays are a favorite time for travelers, so it is time to review some safety tips for this time of year. People of all ages looking for some fun will pack their bags and hit the road. Some may be going to visit their relatives while others may be looking to take advantage of the days off and have some fun elsewhere. Whatever the case, the roads will see a noticeable uptake in traffic prior, during, and immediately after the holidays. 

It also implies that there will be more hazardous conditions, especially during the winter. And if you have children traveling with you, follow these safety tips to help ensure a better trip.

12 Child Safety Tips for Holiday Traveling 

  1. Every passenger within the car, be it an infant, grandpa, or yourself, needs to have their own restraint. Make it a habit to always fasten those belts whenever the car is in motion, regardless of whether it's a holiday trip or a simple ride to the mall. 
  2. During the holidays, people are more on edge than usual. When you're in a parking lot, keep an eye out for small kids wandering around your car or distracted drivers who don't notice your kids. 
  3. If you have a teenager who just got their driver's license, warn them about the extra risks that exist on the road during the winter holiday season.
  4. Young children and infants should always use a car seat specifically designed for them. Infants and toddlers, for instance, should still be traveling in rear-facing seats. But once they've outgrown these seats, you should exchange them for forward-facing models. 
  5. Never place a child car seat on the front seat of a vehicle that has an airbag. 
  6. Children who've outgrown harness seats, need to be placed in a belt-positioning booster seat until the seat belt fits correctly. It is until the child is roughly 4' 9" in height or between the ages of 8 and 12.  
  7. Every child under the age of 13 should always ride in the rear seats of a vehicle. 
  8. Some rental companies can provide you with child seats if you can't bring yours. Nevertheless, they may have a limited selection available. It's advisable that you check for this beforehand, as well as whether the seat is in good condition and if it has the instruction manual. 
  9. Given that it's the holidays, making good traveling time should not be a priority. It becomes increasingly true if you're traveling with children. Plan to stop driving and give yourself and your children a break from the road every two hours or so. It could be even more interesting for everyone involved if you plan these stops and take breaks at certain landmarks or points of interest along the way.
  10. Young children will often become bored and irritated during long road trips. To counteract this, it's a good idea to keep them occupied with light car-games, by pointing out interesting sights, or by bringing some small toys and their favorite music.
  11. It's a good idea to never leave your child alone in the car, even for several moments. If the outside temperature may not be the reason, kidnapers can be. It's always better to be safe than sorry. 
  12.  Make sure the usual safety kit is up to date. You should also pack extra snacks, water, hand wipes, rash ointment, and other such things that you think you may need on your trip.

Check with Mike Duman Auto to take care of all your vehicle maintenance needs before you embark on that holiday trip. Ensure that your car is in perfect working condition is an absolute must. Schedule your maintenance check with Mike Duman by contacting us today. 

 

Winter Driving Tips