Along with a whole host of official designations and observances for the month of May, it is also ‘National Good Car Keeping Month’. So, what does that mean, right?
Well, it starts with the obvious -- ensuring the good working order of our vehicle. When traveling with kids in the car, it is always important to keep our vehicles in good working order to avoid an unfortunately situation in which you become stranded in the car with the kids. Keeping up with necessary and suggested maintenance on your vehicle will give you peace of mind.
However, Good Car Keeping goes beyond just maintenance. The silent ‘danger’ that I’d never thought of until I started researching this topic is the impact of all that stuff inside the car. What impact, you ask? Well, what happens to all those loose, unsecured items if you are ever in an accident? They become PROJECTILES meaning they make quite an impact into the car, the windows, and the people inside the car. (Ever wonder why you have to stowe all of your belongings for take-off or landing in a plane? It is the potential for airborne projectiles.)
The DVD players, toy trucks, sippy cups, pringles cans, back packs, diaper bag, board books, crayon boxes, little people, leapsters, DS’s, Thomas trains, garage openers, loose change, pens & pencils, snow scrapers, and even that spare set of shoes. Everything can go airborne in an accident. They may not seem like they would do much, but at 65mph, the damage potential and risk of injury is high. Rolling toys can also travel under seats, with the potential of getting wedged under gas or brake pedals.
So, in honor of National Good Car Keeping Month:
1) Take a few minutes to pare down the toys and clutter in your car. Secure a storage or mesh bag to the back of the seats in front of your kids to store the toys that will stay in the car. And, start a new habit with your kids of putting and storing those toys in the bag, instead of scattered from corner to corner.
2) Double check the security of car seats and how they are attached/latched. We do not want our kids to become the projectiles.
3) Dig out that owner’s manual and make sure you are up-to-date on your car maintenance schedule, and check the pressure in those tires to ensure they are properly inflated and giving you the safest possible ride.
