Stay Focused On The Road When Driving With The Kids
Posted on June 24, 2008 - Filed Under Travel and Leisure
Some parents are multi-talented and can play referee to bickering kids in the backseat, retrieve dropped toys, and hand out juice boxes all while driving. However, this can be a dangerous gamble as it’s important to keep your eyes on the road when you are transporting your most precious cargo, your children.
Here are some tips to help avoid those distractions and stay safe while traveling with your children.
- First of all, make sure all the children are buckled up in seat belts or car seats appropriate for their age, weight and height. All children under the age of 12 should ride in the backseat.
- Find ways to keep the kids entertained on long and short trips. If you keep the kids entertained then they will be less of a distraction to you while you are driving. Pack some games, puzzles, books, crayons, coloring books and small toys for kids to play with or play some road game such as Ispy.
- Snacks can easily keep kids entertained and keep them from whining that they are hungry a half a mile down the road. Pack some pretzels, sandwiches, fruit and drinks in a small cooler. Avoid packing snacks like popcorn or nuts that may cause choking in the car. Don’t forget the napkins and wipes!
- Keep the snacks, games and toys in the backseat within the kids reach so they can get the items themselves. For very young children, make sure they have any snacks or toys they want before the car is in motion.
- Make the car space comfortable for your kids. Try not to pack too much into the back seat area, and take pillows and blankets to encourage napping. Leaving early in the morning also encourages napping. Napping children are the easiest to travel with!
- It’s important to take frequent breaks both for you as the driver and to keep the kids happy. Map out your route ahead of time to include stops at rest areas or parks where you can get out and stretch your legs and the kids can run around a bit.
- Portable DVD players, music, and handheld games can be great entertainment for the kids but the noise can be a great distraction for the driver. Insist that the kids use headphones when using these things.
- Remember to pack that first aid kit. You never know when there might be a scrap or bee sting that needs a little medical attention.
- Make sure child locks are activated on your back car doors to prevent a child from opening a car door while the car is in motion. Also lock backseat windows if possible.
- Never leave children in a car unattended even for a minute. Not only can they suffocate in the heat but they may be able to put the vehicle into gear.
- Have a safe and fun trip!
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Tags: car safety
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