Baby on Board: Car Safety Guide for Babies

There’s no doubt about it: babies are precious cargo. It’s therefore understandable why parents go to great lengths to find the best way to secure their babies when travelling. As well as keeping them safe, in most states here in Australia there’s also a legal obligation to use child restraints and safety seats. But seats aside, car safety for kids includes a number of other considerations and these are also explained in more detail below.

Baby or Child Restraints

The first major consideration for parents is the child restraint. Children under six months must be seated in a rearward-facing seat in the back of the vehicle. It’s important to remember that all seats must be purchased from an approved manufacturer and be adjusted and fitted based on the child’s size. Approved safety seats will reduce injury in the event of an accident. However, should there be an injury, a legal service such as Motor Accident Legal Service can provide the assistance drivers may be entitled to.

For children between six months and four years, an appropriately sized child seat and harness should be used. This can be forward facing, although it is encouraged to use rearward-facing seats for as long as possible. When it comes to seating guidelines for young children, it is also recommended that children between 4-7 not ride in the front passenger seat.

Keep in mind that the exact regulations and rules that apply to you will depend on where you live. Be sure to check details with local authorities or sources.

Child Safety Locks

There are a wide range of seat locks available to prevent a baby or infant accidentally opening their restraint. For older children, child safety locks can be fitted to the doors of cars; these also come as a standard inclusion in many newer family vehicles. These can easily be activated by the driver in the front of the car and are fitted to prevent opening of rear doors while the car is in motion. My car has this inbuilt into the driver side door.

Temperatures and Leaving the Car

Babies are very sensitive to heat and no young child should be left alone in a car – even for a short period. Cars can quickly turn into ovens even on seemingly mild days. Plus, there’s always the potential for young toddlers to escape by opening windows and doors. To add to the list of reasons why young children shouldn’t be left in cars, many states fine (and convict) parents for leaving a child unattended in a vehicle. Always take a child with you when leaving your vehicle.

The most important consideration for babies and young children is that all restraints being used are based on the child’s size. There should be no slack in the restraint, the seat should be properly secured to the car’s anchor points, and any seat should be installed as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Ideally, seats should be fitted at the centre of most back seats. But depending on the design of the car, the next best option is behind the front passenger seat. As it’s the traffic side of the road, the driver’s seat should be avoided.

By following these guidelines, parents can have greater peace of mind their precious cargo will stay secure and safe. Since driving can be unpredictable and accidents occur on a daily basis, safety when on the roads – especially with a child – is something that can’t be emphasised enough.

If your baby or child suffers car sickness you might enjoy our recent article on surviving motion sickness.