features
7
Safety Tips for Your Next Road Trip
What you need
to do before hitting the open road.
If your next vacation is a road trip, then be prepared: Your car is
about to become a mobile family room. Childproof it accordingly. This
will probably take some time, so start a few days before your trip.
Here's how:
1. Go for a tune-up. For smooth sailing (and overall sanity), make
sure your car is in good working order. The National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that you have your tires,
battery, belts, fluids, and air conditioner checked by a qualified
mechanic. If you're driving in a hot climate or towing a boat or trailer,
you may need a motor oil with a higher viscosity.
2. Get a good
night's sleep. According to the NHTSA, driving while drowsy is a contributing
factor in 100,000 accidents annually. Drive only when well rested,
and switch off with another adult every few hours, if possible.
3. Give your
car seat or booster seat a boost. Not sure if your car seats or booster
seats are installed 100 percent correctly? Eight out of 10 aren't,
putting children at serious risk for injury or death. Call 866-SEAT-CHECK
to find a nearby location for a free safety seat inspection.
4. Gear up for
safety. The NHTSA recommends packing an emergency kit that includes
Water
Warm blankets
A flashlight
Jumper cables
Flares
Tools to change a tire
A fully charged cell phone
A first-aid kit
It's also wise to subscribe to a roadside assistance plan--just make
sure you know where to call in an emergency and what kind of assistance
your policy includes.
5. Be sun smart. Equip all family members with sunblock and sunglasses--you
may even want to pop hats on your little one's heads and invest in
a sunshade for your backseat. When you leave the car, cover safety
seats with blankets so they don't get too hot and burn a baby's tender
skin, and do a touch test before letting pint-size passengers pile
in. Never, ever leave kids alone in the car. With the outside temperature
at just 80 degrees, the interior of a parked car can reach deadly
temperatures in just seconds.
6. Scour the
backseat. Make sure child safety locks are activated on windows and
doors within reach of curious hands. You'll also need to remove any
poisonous substances, such as washer fluid, from your backseat. Next,
look around for choking hazards--knobs that pop off easily, loose
change between the seat cushions--and remove potential projectiles
(hard books, toys, etc.). When your vehicle is traveling at 40 miles
an hour, so is everything else in it. Stop suddenly or get in a crash
and anything that's not strapped down will keep moving until it hits
something, like you or your child, points out Carole Guzzetta, director
of the National Safety Council's Occupant Protection Program in Washington,
DC.
7. Keep the weight
down. Store heavy items low in the seat wells so they won't become
projectiles during a sudden stop. For the same reason, suitcases,
strollers, and anything else stowed in an open cargo area should be
battened down.
Your
should know:
The
information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes
only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical
advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose
or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your
pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any
questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's
condition.
Rebornne Baby. American Baby
