We hope you find this article with Child Safety Tips and How To Make Your Car Safe for Baby, contributed by website visitor Daniel Sherwin, as informative as we have!
How to Make the Car a Safer Place for Your Baby Without Spending a Ton of Cash
Babies are expensive, so most new parents are understandably on a budget. When it comes to safety, though, you don’t want to spare any expense keeping your new bundle protected.
Fortunately, there are wallet-friendly ways to keep costs low while enhancing your family’s safety wherever you travel in the car. From avoiding driving hazards to having the right auto insurance policy to using Enterprise Rent a Car when your vehicle is in the shop, we’ve got some great ideas to keep your family safe while saving money at the same time.
Avoid Driving Hazards
According to Safe Ride 4 Kids Car Seat Statistics, car crashes are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 3-14. In short, driving is dangerous for the whole family. But there are ways to address common driving hazards without bubble-wrapping your children or yourself.
Buckle Up / Let’s Hear Some Clicking!
First, don’t skip your seatbelt or your child’s safety seat. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Child Passenger Safety Facts, car seat use reduces the risk of injury in a crash by 71 to 82 percent for kids. If you need help choosing or installing a car seat for your child, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers Car Seats and Booster Seats resource guides on car seats and information on safety checkup locations.
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 3-14. Car seat use reduces the risk of injury in a crash by 71 to 82 percent for kids.
Avoid Driving Distractions
Next, avoid distractions while on the road. Even talking hands-free can distract you from safe driving, but 33.7 percent of parents admitted to texting and driving, according to a survey by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found in their Parents Report on Distracted Driving. Other things like handing your child a snack or checking the backseat baby mirror can also prove hazardous. Concentrate on the road, and pull over to make calls, check messages, or address your baby’s needs.
33.7 percent of parents admitted to texting and driving, according to a survey by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found in their Parents Report on Distracted Driving. Other things like handing your child a snack or checking the backseat baby mirror can also prove hazardous.
Be Prepared for Unexpected Breakdowns
Third, know how to handle unexpected driving hazards (caused by break downs). Liberty Mutual suggests How to Handle Common Driving Hazards such as how to manage an overheated engine, address engine failure, stop when your brakes fail, and avoid road debris. Of course, the best preventative measures for driving hazards include knowing your vehicle and keeping emergency equipment on hand. Read your car’s manual to find out where the spare tire is, what tools you need to change it, how to locate and replace fuses, and more. Also, make a car safety kit to keep with your vehicle. It should include jumper cables, flares or other reflective aids, an emergency blanket, and a map, at a minimum.
Choose Your Insurance Coverage Wisely
Car insurance is a significant expense whether you’re a parent or not. To get the best deal for your money, you’ll need to weigh the benefits of paying more for insurance upfront or paying less for a policy but a premium on your deductible. Read thoroughly to determine your coverage amounts and scenarios. Consider choosing full-coverage insurance—instead of just liability—to cover comprehensive and collision repairs plus medical expenses if you get in an accident. You will likely pay more for the policy, but the payoff is substantial if you wind up needing benefits after a vehicle crash. Peace of mind is another perk, too. *See our list of local Minooka Auto Insurance Agents
Maintain Your Vehicle
Look for Deals When Repairs Are Required. Being a parent without a set of wheels is a challenge. Whether your car needs regular maintenance or unexpected repairs, letting it sit in the shop for a week probably isn’t ideal. In that case, consider renting a car while your ride is in the garage. To save cash, look for online coupons and promo codes. Companies like Enterprise often run specials that can save you on rental fees. You can click here for more information.
Avoid Unnecessary Dangers Inside Your Vehicle
Don’t Buy into Extra Baby Equipment! You want your child to be safe in the car. But beyond an appropriate safety seat—and the manufacturer-supplied accessories—you don’t need to spend extra on vehicle related child equipment. There are many non regulated car accessories. In fact, aftermarket baby accessories—like head pillows, hanging toys, and other items—are not regulated nor are they crash-tested meaning they pose a safety hazard . In short, you don’t know how they’ll perform in a crash, and common aftermarket accessories may void your car seat warranty , too.
Accidents Happen, But There is Good News
In an ideal world, the only accident parents would experience is the diaper kind. But the truth is, driving comes with many dangers. The good news is, there is so much you can do as a parent to keep risks low—without spending a lot of extra money.
Article Contribution by Daniel Sherwin
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