Summer is one of the busiest travel seasons in the U.S., with families spending more time on the road for vacations and activities. It’s the time when families from coast to coast take to the road on vacation, driving to and from the beach, and hitting up favorite spots for family fun. 

That level of activity also makes summer the season with more accidents than any other. It’s time for parents to take a few minutes to review child car safety tips and make sure that when everyone climbs into the car for that first glorious summer trip, everyone comes back home safe and sound.

Staying Safe with Car Seat Safety Tips

A car seat is literally a lifesaver, but only if it’s installed and used correctly. Research shows that many car seats are installed or used incorrectly. This places small children in harm’s way, but the good news is that these mistakes are easily fixed once you know what to look for.

Frequent mistakes with car seats include:

• Using a seat that is too big for the child to safely sit in
• Using a seat that is too small for the child’s height and/or weight
• Chest clips that are positioned too low instead of across the armpit level
• Harness straps that are too loose and/or are twisted
• Seats that wiggle or move around too much (more than an inch from side to side or front to back)
• Second-hand or used seats that were previously (and unknowingly) used in a car accident

A few minutes spent checking the fit and positioning of the car seat can go a long way toward safety. If you need help, many local fire stations will be more than happy to help you install the car seat and make sure you’re using it properly. 

Staying Clear of Danger with Hot Car Safety

Everyone knows just how hot the summer can get. But sometimes, we forget just how hot the car can get, especially when the engine is off and the A/C isn’t running.

A car’s interior temperature can increase by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes on a warm day. It doesn’t even have to feel particularly hot outside. This effect is even worse on children, whose bodies warm up several times faster than adults.

One avoidable tragedy is leaving a child in a hot car, putting them at risk for heat stroke. Even on a mild day, with the window cracked open, heat stroke can still happen and cause a life-threatening medical emergency.

This road safety tip is simple and powerful: never leave a child in a car unattended, not for a single moment. Not even to run a quick errand, or change a tire. Even if you plan on coming right back, something could incapacitate you, leaving your child in a dangerous situation.

One thing parents sometimes do to help them remember (because we all know how hectic life can be) is to put a stuffed animal in the front seat when a child is in the back. It’s a visual cue that can help prevent tragedy.

Summer Travel Tips to Keep the Ride Safe

When you’re hitting the road on a grand adventure, a little planning can help a lot.

Here are a few practical words of advice for hitting the road:

• Drive during the cooler parts of the day if at all possible
• Keep sunshades on the rear windows to reduce direct sunlight on your kiddos
• Pack plenty of water and offer it regularly to your kids
• Plan regular stops every two hours to let the kids move and stretch
• Never let children ride in the back of a truck bed or in the cargo area of an SUV or van
• Secure all loose items so they don’t become projectiles in the event of a sudden stop
• Keep a first aid kit in your car at all times

When to Seek Care for Children

If you and your family are in a car accident, everyone should be evaluated by medical providers (even if you don’t think anything is wrong or notice any symptoms). Far too many people have wound up hospitalized later for something that could’ve been caught earlier after a wreck that didn’t seem to be that serious or severe at first.

Any time your child is showing symptoms like disorientation, difficulty breathing, confusion, unusual lethargy or sleepiness, bleeding and discoloration, dizziness, and complaints of pain that don’t go away, see care right away. For life-threatening symptoms, call 911 immediately.

A trusted children’s urgent care provider can be a major help for your family this summer. KidsStreet is open late 7 days a week! Our providers are there for you, whether you have a bump from a fender bender or a heat-related concern after a long day in the sun.

Register online to save your spot in line and get your child seen quickly, so you can get back to your summer ASAP!