Four Child Safety Tips While Driving in Kingsport, TN

1. Put Down Your Phone

Each year, accidents caused by distracted driving injure nearly 400,000 people. Texting and taking calls while driving are some of the top distractions. One of the easiest ways to ensure your child’s safety is to simply ignore your phone when you’re behind the wheel. If you can’t resist the urge to immediately respond to the sound of a text or a call coming in, put your phone in airplane mode or tuck it out of reach. Pull over in a safe place or install a hands-free system in your vehicle if you simply have to take calls while you’re on the road.

2. Keep Your Eyes on the Road

While cell phones are some of the most common distractions, there are others to consider as well. Avoid eating or drinking while you drive. Whether you’re taking a sip from a cup of coffee or opening a bag of trail mix, it takes your eyes and your attention off the road.

Unhappy children are another common distraction. No matter how fussy your children are being, what they’ve dropped on the floor, or how loud they’re screaming, taking your eyes off the road for even a second can cause an accident. Pull over if you need to tend to your children, and attach their toys to their car seats using plastic links to make sure they always stay within reach.

3. Install a Car Seat Properly

A car seat is an absolute must for little ones. However, an astounding 73 percent of car seats are improperly installed. Be sure to carefully follow the instructions that come with your car seat or find a technician who can help you properly install your child’s car seat for you. Remember, your children must stay in a car seat until they reach a certain height and weight, and they should ride only in the backseat until they are at least 12 years old.

4. Secure Yourself

You’ve heard it a million times before — seat belts save lives. In fact, they save as many as 15,000 lives each year according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Seat belts help keep you from being thrown out of a vehicle, they spread out the force of a crash, and they prevent you from hitting your head on the steering wheel or dashboard.

In addition to making sure you and your child are properly buckled in place, be sure to strap down any items that are lying around inside the vehicle. They could become projectiles if you suddenly slam on the brakes, causing injury to you and your loved ones. Use car anchors to hold down loose objects.

Always keep these four child safety tips for the car in mind when you’re out for a ride with your family. They could help save a life.

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