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Having car insurance is important, but it’s not a replacement for proactive car safety, especially when it comes to protecting the irreplaceable — our children being at the very top of that list. As a parent or caregiver, you can play a major role in protecting the children in your car. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of unintentional deaths and injuries in the United States. A majority of these deaths are preventable and with the proper measurements could have been avoided. Below are a few tips to keep in mind to improve child car safety:

 

  • Seat Belts – New Mexico law states that all occupants must be properly restrained in all seating positions.
      • Seat belts should be worn at all times when inside the vehicle
      • Never allow a child to share seat belts with another passenger
      • For the seat belt to work effectively, seats should be in an upright position and not reclined
      • Check to make sure your child is buckled up EVERYTIME
      • Check to see the seat belt is secure and fits properly
  • Child Car and Booster Seats – It is important to understand the rules and regulations of car seats.
      • Make sure the car seat is properly installed in the vehicle
      • A child under the age of 1 must be in a rear-facing child seat in the backseat
      • NEVER put a rear-facing child seat in front of an airbag, this could cause injuries and even death.
      • A child under 40 pounds must ride in a child safety seat
      • A child age 5 or 6 must ride in a child safety seat or booster seat
      • Regardless of age, a child under 60 pounds must ride in a child car seat or booster seat.
      • The center seat is generally the safest spot in the car for kids
  • Rules of the Car – it’s important that any child in your vehicle understands and respects the rules of the car. As the driver, it is your responsibility to make sure each child is following the rules.
    • Make your child aware that they should not be sitting in the front seat of a car, even if it is offered to them by a friend or relative.
    • Make sure kids understand the importance of staying calm in the backseat and behaving properly. No jumping, throwing objects, or screaming, it can distract the driver and potentially cause an accident.
    • Make sure each child buckles up as soon as they get into the car. Double check with your own eyes to make sure their seat belts are on.
    • Never let children stick their hand, head, or any other body part outside the vehicle
    • Use the child lock to prevent kids from opening the car door themselves
    • Do not use mobile phones while driving
    • Never leave a child alone in the car
    • Set an example, and be patient and calm while driving

 

Following these rules will help improve your child car safety before it’s too late. Use common sense, be alert, and stay safe on the road!

 

Do you have additional questions about car insurance?
Contact a car Insurance specialist at Grindell & Romero Insurance to answer any of your car insurance questions. Providing car insurance in Las Cruces, NM and surrounding areas since 1888. Call today for a free insurance consultation and quote.
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