Baby Proofing Your Vehicle
The car you drive can say a lot about where you are in life. No matter what kind of vehicle you own, there are ways to baby proof it when welcoming a new child. While having a vehicle service contract to pay for covered repairs when your car breaks down is in your best interest, you may need to do some baby proofing before driving home from the hospital. When bringing your baby home, you will want to be confident your car is as safe as possible for your new bundle of joy. Here are some things to consider when baby proofing your car:
Car seat In most states, children are required to be in car or booster seats. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, children up to 12 years old may need to use a booster seat until they are big enough to fit properly into a regular seat buckle. For infants, car seats are an absolute must and you will need one that is compatible with your child and your vehicle. If a car seat is not installed properly or doesn’t fit correctly inside your car, it may not be providing the full range of protection. When you purchase a new car seat, be sure to read the installation directions from the manufacturer and your vehicle’s manual carefully. As your child gets older, be sure to purchase new seats that will keep him or her safe.
The new inflatable seat There are several different types of car seats, but many parents understand how confusing, frustrating, big and bulky they can be. To make car seats easy to carry and store while still maintaining safety standards, Volvo is developing an inflatable car seat for youngsters. Overall, the inflatable car seat is about half the weight of
traditional models and can be inflated or deflated in about 40 seconds. While the car seat is still only a prototype, it could very well hit the market over the next few years.
Cleaning When you have a baby or young child in the car, you need to be careful about what is inside and what cleaning products you use on the surfaces. You should never keep toxic chemicals used for cleaning inside a car where they could be in reach of your child. Be sure to get rid of other clutter inside the vehicle as well, such as pens and coins. As a basic rule of thumb, you should clear out any small object that could be a choking hazard. Clutter should also never get in the way of properly buckling in or installing a car seat.
“Baby� Emergency supplies Having a baby will usually mean there are years of messes ahead. To keep your car clean and in good condition as well as being prepared for anything your child may need, keep a few emergency supplies in the car at all times. These can include baby wipes, baby food or formula, a sterilized bottle and baby aspirin. You may also want to have baby changing supplies somewhere within the vehicle to make diaper changes easy on the go.
Volvo is a registered trademark of Volvo Trademark Holding AB and/or Volvo Cars. The NHTSA and Volvo are not affiliated with Toco Warranty Corp. and have not endorsed Toco Warranty products or services.
Article Resource: https://www.tocowarranty.com/TocoCares/Blog/Baby-proofing-your-vehicle