Prioritizing safety while road tripping this summer
Traveling with a baby or small child is no easy feat for any parent. Between packing, planning and every other step in the preparation process, parents sometimes forget some important safety measures to protect their child. Before your next road trip this summer, it is a good idea to have these tips in mind to keep your family safe.
First, make sure your child’s car seat is properly installed and that the settings are appropriate for your child’s height and weight. The car seat should remain rear-facing until your child has outgrown the weight or height limit specific to their car seat because this position provides the best protection for your child’s neck and spinal cord in a collision. Illinois law requires children under 2 to be in a rear-facing car seat unless they weigh more than 40 pounds or are taller than 40 inches.
Once your child has outgrown a forward-facing car seat with a harness, they should be riding in a belt-positioning booster seat until they are big enough to fit properly in your vehicle’s seat belts. Children younger than 13 years of age should always ride in the back seat. This is because the air bags in the passenger seat are designed for adults and can cause serious harm to a child riding up front.
It’s important for everyone to take breaks throughout your long drive! Babies and children should avoid being in a car seat for more than two hours at a time. It’s good to plan to stop, change their diaper, have them move their bodies and grab a bite to eat.
No matter where you stop, leaving a baby or child unattended in a vehicle can be incredibly dangerous. It can lead to heat stroke and ultimately death, not to mention put them at risk for the dangers of strangers. Heatstroke is the leading cause of vehicle-related non-crash deaths in children under 15 years. Children’s small bodies warm up much faster than an adult’s, with major organs beginning to shut down at an internal body temperature of 104F.
It is safe for your baby to fall asleep, while being observed, in their car seat during the ride as long as it is properly installed and adjusted to your baby’s size. Do not allow your child to continue sleeping in the car seat if you remove the car seat from the vehicle. Once out of the vehicle, the car seat is not at the proper installation angle to keep their chin from touching their chest. Bring a pack-and-play or ensure a crib will be available for your infant to sleep at your destination or any stops along the way that will involve naps or overnight sleeping.
Whenever possible, consider planning your road trip around your baby or child’s schedule and wake windows. Bring toys and activities to keep them busy along the journey. Sing-along music is always a good idea to keep an upbeat vibe. Having well rested, occupied and happy passengers will make the trip smoother for everyone. Here’s to a summer of safe family fun for all!
• Children's health is a continuing series. This column was provided by Advocate Children’s Hospital. Dr. Emma Olivera is a pediatrician at Advocate Children’s Hospital.