If you are a parent or someone who travels in a car with children, you will know that it is important to make sure your car is safe enough for children to travel in. If you are wondering about the many ways you can make your car child friendlier, please continue reading as we have some expert top tips!
Do not smoke in your car
If you are someone who smokes, you should never smoke in your car when children and babies are present. Most people are aware of the dangerous and harmful impact smoking has on a baby and child’s health, especially when smoke reaches them in a confined space.
Make sure child car seats can be safely fixed to the seats of your car
This is very important, as by law children under 12 years of age or less than 135 centimetres tall need to be seated in a car seat whilst travelling in a car. Isofix seats are an example of a design of seats that child travel seats can be safely attached to.
Make sure the car seat is suitable for the age and size of your child
As you may already be aware different ages and stages of a child’s life require different types of car seats in size and design. Here is some brief information by “Which” on the types of car seats that are suitable for each age range:
0/0+ – Newborn to 13kg (0 to 15 months)
0+/1 – Newborn to 18kg (0 to around 4 years)
0+/1/2 – Newborn to 25kg (0 to around 7 years)
0+/1/2/3 – Newborn to 36kg (0 to around 12 years)
1 – 9kg to 18kg (9 months to 4 years)
1/2/3 – 9kg to 36kg (9 months to 12 years)
2/3 – 15kg to 36kg (4 years to 12 years)
3 – 22kg to 36kg (from 5 or 6 years and more than 125cm tall)
To find out more please visit Which, as they have lots of detailed information regarding children’s car seats.
Make sure there is a child lock on the doors of your car
This is essential for those who have children or for those who have to ferry children around in their cars. Luckily, most modern cars do have child locks on the rear doors of a car. If you wish to sell my car to buy another car, you need to find out whether the car has child lock or not.
The reason why having a child lock is so important is because children are prone to messing with features in a car and a door handle is often a new attractive “toy” to play with and some children in the past have opened car does whilst their parent is driving. A child locking system does prevent this from happening, so we are big believers in this safety system.
Have fun little toys in the car for your child to play with
Having little toys or books attached to your child’s car seat is a good way of keeping your child entertained on a journey. Mirrors and toys which play sounds and melodies are also something to think about, as mirrors are known for stimulating babies and young children, as they react well to looking at their own faces and their own expressions.
Consider having a DVD player in the car for longer journeys
A DVD player which has a portable screen is a good way to keep your children entertained on long journeys. It is also a good way of keeping your children occupied and still, so you can focus on driving without worrying about what your little one is up to, or better yet without being distracted by your child.
Final thoughts
We hope you have enjoyed our article on ways to make your car child friendly. For more information and advice on the car safety laws regarding babies, toddlers and children please visit the official UK government website.