| Anyone with children knows that car safety is | | | | impression on your child where safety is |
| important. They are so little and cars are so big, | | | | concerned. Wear your own seat belt, not just on |
| they have to be taught safety by example as | | | | long trips but every time you get into your |
| well as enforcing safety rules. Contrary to popular | | | | vehicle and move it. The tests and research |
| belief, children actually listen when their parents | | | | should be enough to convince any rational being, |
| talk to them. The only kids who refuse to listen | | | | your chances of surviving an accident are |
| are kids who have never been expected to. | | | | considerably higher if you are strapped in. You |
| Visibility | | | | strap your kids into extravagant contraptions to |
| Children should know basic car and road safety. | | | | keep them in place and safe should something |
| Explain to your kids that being the size they are | | | | happen on the road. Not taking the same |
| makes them hard to see from the drivers seat | | | | precautions yourself simply doesn't make sense. |
| of a vehicle. Put them in the drivers seat of your | | | | On the road rules |
| car and ask them to look around them, show | | | | Driving a car is serious business and should always |
| them why it is hard to see them rather than just | | | | be treated as such. Again it is important to make |
| tell them. Show them how important it is by | | | | sure your children are aware that the road can |
| making sure drivers have given you eye contact | | | | present danger in a split second; and that the |
| prior to crossing in front or behind them of them. | | | | drivers attention is best kept on the road where |
| Be sure to talk your way through it, so your child | | | | it belongs. Explain to them that loud noises, sudden |
| is aware that you use your rules to keep you | | | | movements, arguing and rough housing are all |
| safe too. The more a young child sees you | | | | things that can distract even the most prudent |
| following your own safety rules, the more apt | | | | driver and put everyone in the car in danger. |
| they will be to pick them up instinctively. | | | | Parents, your job isn't easy, but remember while |
| Car seats | | | | you are on the road you have a responsibility to |
| Quite possibly the most important factor in auto | | | | everyone on the road with you to keep your |
| safety with regards to children is their car seats. | | | | attention on the road and not in your back seat. |
| Any good parent will research the seat they buy | | | | Kids are young little creatures, and their attention |
| to protect their child and only those with the | | | | span is in direct relation to their life span. Car |
| highest safety ratings should be purchased. This | | | | safety is something you should talk to your |
| goes without saying, your child's safety is worth | | | | children about regularly because keeping it in the |
| all the money in the world. Again it is always | | | | forefront of their minds will help them to develop |
| important to explain your actions to your child. No | | | | habits that keep them safer throughout their lives. |
| doubt anyone who has ever driven a 2 year old | | | | Small things make a big impression to the young |
| anywhere has had to answer the question 'Why | | | | ones, and following our own rules is something |
| do I have to get in the car seat?' This is another | | | | that will impress on your children far stronger |
| place where leading by example will help to drive | | | | than anything you say to them. |
| your point home and make a more lasting | | | | |