As a family, your car isn’t just a vehicle – it’s your trusted companion for school runs, road trips, and countless errands. While your driving plays a huge part in the safety of your children while on the road, the condition of your vehicle can also play a significant part. Making sure your family car is safe for your children is essential for their protection and your peace of mind – Here are our top tips to keep your car child-friendly and safe:
Regular Servicing and Maintenance
This may seem like a given, but routine servicing and maintenance ensure that your car is in peak condition and safe to be driven on the road. You should have a mechanic regularly check the brakes, tyres, lights, and suspension, as these are critical for safety. A professional can also identify potential issues before they become serious hazards. Our team provide transparent diagnostics and pricing to ensure that your servicing needs are met without any nasty surprises, giving you and your family peace of mind.
Check and Replace Car Seats as Needed
Children’s car seats are vital for their safety and utilising the right one is a crucial requirement. You should ensure they are appropriate for your child’s age, height, and weight and that it is appropriate for your vehicle and connection options. Regularly inspect car seats for wear and tear and replace them if they’ve been involved in an accident or are expired. Proper installation is key – follow the manufacturer’s instructions or consult a professional if you are unsure.
Inspect Seat Belts
Seat belts are your car’s primary safety feature not just for your children, but for you too. It’s important to regularly check for any signs of fraying, twisting, or malfunctioning mechanisms. Take care to make sure that all belts retract and lock as intended, and you should take time to teach your children the importance of wearing seat belts properly.
Keep the Interior Clean and Clutter-Free
Loose items can become dangerous projectiles during sudden stops or collisions. It’s common for family cars to become cluttered with toys, bottles, other care items and more. To make sure that you and your children are safe, you should keep toys, water bottles, and other items securely stored away and regularly clean and clear rubbish and clutter from your car. You could use organisers or under-seat compartments to reduce clutter, encouraging children to use them while in the car.
Maintain Visibility
Clear visibility is crucial for safe driving, with or without your children in the car. You should clean your windows, mirrors, and windscreen regularly, and top up washer fluid so you don’t get stuck with a dirty windscreen while out on the road. You should also replace wiper blades if they leave streaks for the same reason, helping to make sure you have full visibility when it matters most.
Lock and Childproof the Doors
The locks on your car are crucial for security in general, particularly while you’re actively driving out on the road. Anytime you drive with children in the passenger seats, you should activate child safety locks on rear doors and windows to prevent accidental openings. You can also ensure that power windows have an anti-pinch feature to avoid injuries and make sure that any sign of your locks not working or being faulty are checked by a professional immediately.
A family car is more than a means of transport; it’s a space where precious memories are made. Keeping it safe ensures those moments are worry-free. If you have any concerns about your car’s safety or need professional maintenance, our expert mechanics are here to help. Book an appointment today to give your family car the care it deserves.