Safe Driving Tips for Children;

There are many things to consider when you are driving infants or small children even in a vehicle purchased from a Nissan Oakville dealership or other that has safety features. Not following proper safety tips for children can lead to a serious injury in an accident or worse, and following the proper tips can result in your child being properly protected in an accident. Even vehicles purchased from a BMW Dealer Inglewood with excellent safety features require you to follow safety protocols in order to protect children.

Before driving your vehicle purchased at Glencoe Toyota, check out the recommendations by the NHTSA about how to drive safely with children in a vehicle. If you have an infant that weighs less than 20-22 pounds, or who is less than one year old, the infant should ride a seat facing the rear of the vehicle. This protects the infants head in the case of an accident and back as well. The seat is placed in a 45 degree reclining angle.

Children that are over one year old and between 20 to 40 pounds can ride with a forward facing position with straps and a booster seat. Children that weigh over 40 pounds should have the straps removed and the seat is used as a belt positioning booster. Children that weigh between 40 to 80 pounds should ride in a belt positioning booster seat. These are used with a lap and shoulder belt across the child, and the shoulder belt should fit snugly on the child's chest.

Booster seats can be used until the child can sit on their own with their back against the cushion with their knees bent over the seat cushion edge and with their feet on the floor. Children who are age 12 and under must be properly restrained in the back seat. The child seat instruction manual may have different directions and it should be read before you make any choices, and also read the vehicle's manual for instructions on how to set up child safety seats with your particular vehicle.