Keeping your kids safe in the car is a responsibility for all parents. It starts with ensuring your child has the appropriate safety seat. Indiana law sets forth strict car seat regulations for those driving cars with child passengers.
The Indiana state government website provides a helpful overview. It says that if the child is under eight years old, he or she must be properly restrained in a “…federally approved child restraint system…” which includes a “…belt positioning booster seat”. Children ages eight to 16 must be restrained in a seat belt or a federally approved child restraint system.
Having this appropriate car seat equipment is obviously vital, but parents can also benefit by putting together a car emergency kit with their kids in mind. This can come in handy after an accident, as well as after a breakdown or other incident that leaves the car stranded on the side of the road.
Basics for Building Your Kit
You can keep your kit in a small duffel bag, storage container, or other properly-sized container inside the trunk or back of the vehicle. Try to include some basic emergency kit items like:
- Non-perishable snacks
- Bottled water
- Extra medication, properly stored according to manufacturer’s instructions
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Extra phone and charger
- Towels and paper towels
- First aid kit
While this is a good start to any car safety kit, parents will throw in some extra items with their kids in mind.
The items you choose will obviously depend on your child’s age, but some examples of child-specific items to include in your kit include:
- Diapers
- Extra underwear
- Wet wipes
- Children’s over the counter meds, such as aspirin
- Children’s bandages
- Pacifiers
- Toys
- Books
- Games
Weather Considerations
Keeping warm is important for babies and young children. That’s why your safety kit should include blankets and extra clothing for cold weather breakdowns.
Make sure your cold weather kit includes extra:
- Warm hats
- Gloves
- Coats
- Scarves
- Extra shoes and socks
Also include sunglasses, sunscreen and brimmed hats and visors to protect your child’s face and eyes. Pack a raincoat, boots, poncho, and an umbrella for your child to help him or her stay dry in case it rains.
Talk to Your Kids about Car Safety
It is important to talk to you child about what to do in the event of an accident. This may include how to call for help if they are old enough to operate a phone, and how to follow the directions of a 9-1-1 operator. Make sure your child understands not to wander into traffic.
Speak with a lawyer about your injuries or injuries that your children sustained due to a negligent driver in Indiana. Call Hensley Legal Group to set up a consultation, or contact us online.