Parents do everything they can to ensure their children’s safety. They spend hours choosing the perfect car seat, healthy food, researching healthcare and picking the best educational toys.
A choice that is otherwise perfect, may become a deadly weapon in a car crash, or sudden deceleration, where the forces of physics are now in control. The awesome metal cup that keeps beverages at the perfect temperature in a car accident can cause a head injury. Your child’s favorite metal toy truck can cause eye damage or a lethal wound. The unsecured laptop playing your child’s favorite movie becomes perilous coming at your child’s head at 30 mph. Loose change and sunglasses left on the dash can cause serious injury if they are flying towards your child.
It is important to go through a logical thought process when determining what objects to include in your child’s environment in the car.
#1. Activities and equipment that are to be used when the car is stopped can be different than those meant to be used when the car is moving.
Metal cups, laptops, heavy toys can be used when you are in the car and it isn’t moving. Often children have to spend significant amounts of time in the car waiting. Before the car starts moving it is important to secure these objects so they do not become a hazard.
Pro Tip: Keep all objects that are to be used when the car is not moving in a plastic tub. Before putting the car in motion move the tub to the trunk.
#2. Although car door pockets are out of the way, objects placed in these can fly out in an accident. Pockets at the back of the front car seats can hold an amazing amount of child gear; however, in the event of an accident these may leave the pocket and become projectiles. Cargo nets and secured organizers that are designed to be used in the front or back seat of the car are available.
Pro Tip: Enclosed pet carriers that are secured using a seat belt can be a great place to store items. These seats often have additional straps that are placed around the head rest. When properly installed these carriers are not able to move in the event of an accident. Items that can become projectiles can be placed in the carrier so they are secure. Remember to close the carrier before travel. Purses, cell phones, and bottles of water can also be placed in the carrier to keep them secure in the event of an accident.
#3. Cars usually have secured storage available. Center consoles, glove compartments, trunks are designed to stay closed during sudden vehicle deceleration.
#4. The truck of the car or a cargo box in a truck is a good place to store objects that do not need to be continually used. Every car should have a first aid kit, especially if you will be transporting children. Other items that should be kept include hand sanitizer, extra clothes, a blanket, a comfort item like a teddy bear, pacifier, bandages including a small ace bandage, burn gel, non-perishable snacks, an unopened bottle of water to wash out eyes or a wound, and an instant ice pack. Keeping an extra flashlight and glow sticks (for the children) is a good idea in case of an accident at night.
#5. It is important to keep pets in a secure carrier in case of an accident. Not only does this decrease the chances of them being a distraction to the driver, but also ensures they will not injure passengers in the event of an accident. The hard skull or bones of your pet smashing into your child’s skull can cause devastating injuries.
#6. Dashboard decorations, cell phones, water bottles, coffee cups as well as loose change can become deadly projectiles. Even cell phone holders and decorations that are attached with suction cups can often dislodge in high speed collisions.
#7. Glass objects. Although the use of glass bottles and coffee cups has decreased over the years, some parents still prefer to use them over substitutes. In collisions the glass can break causing the risk of not only the glass object hitting your child; but, shards of glass that can fly around the car.
#8. All video monitors, cameras and other equipment need to be secured as per manufacturer’s instructions so they do not dislodge during an accident and become a dangerous projectile. All remote control devices must also be secured.
Unsecured objects cause approximately 13,000 injuries every year. Children in cars are the most at risk. These projectiles cause cuts, fractures, spinal cord injuries as well as traumatic brain injuries. A sudden stop, even without an accident having occurred, can cause objects to be airborne at the previous high rate of speed.
Safe activities for children in a moving car
The old-fashioned activities that your parents likely utilized are usually the safest. Singing, telling stories, and verbal games are all great ways to engage with your child.
Memories games where each person has to repeat the story line from the beginning and add 1 more piece of the story are great. Ex. The parent starts “We’re going to the grocery store to buy . . . The child says “cereal”. The parent repeats “We’re going to the grocery store to buy cereal” and then adds “milk”. The child repeats “We’re going to the grocery store to buy cereal, milk” and adds “cookies”. The game goes for as long as possible. To add another challenge level to the game, ask your child to remember as much as possible for the next trip in the car.
Mimicking animal noises: Asking “What does the cow say?” Then the child tries to mimic the animal noise.
Eye spy: First person says a descriptor of what they are seeing. Example: “I see something blue”. If the child isn’t able to guess, another clue is added. “I see something blue that is bigger than a cat….”
20 questions (It can be less questions depending on the child’s age.) One participant thinks of something and the other asks questions until they can figure it out. This is especially fun with children who pick the same object every time the game is played. The parent’s creativity is thoroughly exercised trying to guess other objects and pretend they don't know what the chosen object is to extend the game.
Independent activities
Soft cloth books
Soft cloth stuffed animals
Felt Boards
Soft sided busy boards
Although recommended by some, the following are not good activities for your child to use while the car is in motion.
Pipe cleaners
Magnetic plastic pieces.
White board and markers
Suction spinners - in an accident they can dislodge and become a projectile.
Cycling through activities slowly and alternating group activities like singing, with independent activities like cloth books, can extend the child’s interest as well as give the parent a break.
Final thoughts
Every year children die in hot car events. Placing a purse or cell phone in a pet carrier placed in the back seat every time you load up the car ensures that you will see a child in the back seat when you have to retrieve your purse or cell phone. There have been hundreds of broken hearted parents that discovered too late their child was left in the back seat.