Parenting Pointers: Baby on Board: Making Your Vehicle Kid-Safe

In the last decade, safety technology in vehicles has improved drastically. It's incredible how safe many modern cars are, and what types of safety innovations have been implemented in recent years. 

As safe as cars may be for adults, they're not always quite so secure for young children and babies. Some of the safety features in cars can be quite dangerous for children, so it's imperative that parents know how to take proper precautions when driving with little ones. After all, car crashes are one of the leading causes of youth fatality. Here's a guide to making car travel safe for your kid. 

Airbags 

The biggest danger to children in the car are the airbags. Airbags forcefully expand and that they can be incredibly harmful -- even fatal -- if they hit kids. While some modern cars offer you the chance to turn off your airbags, you should still keep your kids in the back seat. Sometimes the "airbag off" button only refers to dashboard airbags, not side airbags, and sometimes the button can malfunction. It's also not a habit you want to get in to, in case you forget to turn off the airbag. So, for the safety of your child, make sure that they always sit in the back seat until the reach age 12 (and longer if they are particularly small). 

Car Seats 

Car seats can be tricky to set up, and consequently, three out of every four are used incorrectly.

As expensive as they can be, it's important that you change car seats with some regularity. The seats are designed to cradle your child's body, so as he or she outgrows it, they become ineffective. 

For the first two years of your baby's life, you should have them in a rear facing car seat: one that has them facing towards the back of the vehicle. This is because young children have very vulnerable spines, and in the event of a forward collision, you will want to have their spine fully supported by the seat. 

After two years (or if they outgrow rear-facing seats before two years) you can move your kid to a forward facing car seat. At some point in your child's development, they will want to graduate to sitting like a grown up, but you should keep them in the car seat as long as they fit the size and weight guidelines. Simply put, car seats are safer. 

It's imperative that when your child is in a car seat, you fasten all of the seat belts and harnesses snugly. You leave your child vulnerable to injury if you don't fasten everything tightly.  

What Kind of Car to Buy

In general, cars with a high safety rating are the safest for children as well. Occasionally, the safety ratings can be misleading, especially if airbag safety is a significant feature in the rating. It's important to get a car with strong structural rigidity in the sides, so that if your car gets in the side, the chances of your child being injured are small. 

With these tips, you're ready to a responsible parent, one who makes sure their child is as safe as can be in the car. 

This article was provided by Kelly Elder, live-in nanny and avid hiker. If you've chosen a safe, reliable car such as an Audi, and need Audi service, Kelly recommends Collins Auto.