Car rides can be fun for babies and children. If you are keen to also make it safe for them, here are some essential tips for baby proofing your car.

Automobile manufacturers understand that people of all ages travel in cars and are considerate and practical enough to provide a number of safety features. To keep children safe in their seats, there are the child safety locks in the rear doors. Adults can enable this switch to prevent children from unlocking the door from inside, intentionally or accidentally, when it is not safe. In the event that your particular model of car is not fitted with the child safety lock, then position your child’s car seat in the middle of the rear seat and ensure there are enough seat belt buckles to fasten and keep them protected.

Car seats! Well, that is a separate domain to be mastered. If you have carefully researched, you would know that there are a lot of types of car seats and restrictions that go along with it in all 50 states in the country. Rear-facing infant only seats, convertible car seats that work for infants and toddlers as rear facing or forward facing ones, and booster seats that are attached to the car’s lap and shoulder belts for older children, the options are many. Depending on the age, weight, and height of your baby or child, it is important that you choose car seats recommended by the American Automobile Association. Statistics prove that the proper use of car seats protects children and reduces the probability of injuries in the event of an accident. So choose a durable one and do not compromise on its quality. Not just buying, but also fixing a car seat tightly by threading it correctly, using locking clips when necessary, and buckling-in the child securely with a three-point seat belt is important.

The next feature to make note of is the automatic conveniences provided in cars like the power operated windows, self-closing trunks, automatic-closing doors and such. When traveling with children, you must take extra precaution to make sure they do not poke their heads, hands or legs outside the windows or get their fingers pinched between these auto-locking doors.

Do not ever leave your child unattended in a car, even if it is only for a few seconds as it could prove dangerous. The incidence of children being harmed by the blazing sun or strong winds, or worse still, strangers who could kidnap them is quite high. So, it is only sensible that a responsible adult stays with children in the car at all times.

Remove potentially toxic chemical cleaners, sharp objects such as tools or scissors, and any broken metal parts or tiny plastic toys and coins from the proximity of your child. They may be a choking hazard, so stow them in locked compartments of your car, away from the reach of children.