Jul05
What not to do on long journeys with kids

What not to do on long journeys with kids

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Taking a trip to the seaside, zoo or theme park this summer? If you have kids, the chances are you’re likely to do at least one of these three things over the next couple of months. Whilst the attraction and adventure will to doubt be full of fun and memories, the journey itself can get quite tedious, especially if you live far from any top attractions.

If the journey gets tedious and makes you restless, imagine how your kids feel! If you want to ensure journeys with kids are happy and tantrum-free, here are a few things you should avoid:

Going the long way roundstreet-238458_1920

Sure, the scenic route might be prettier, and you might get to see some things that you like the look of, but in reality the trip isn’t about you. The trip is about the whole family and having a great day out. So in that respect, you shouldn’t take unnecessary detours and only stop for comfort breaks where necessary.

Forgetting snacks

You may have just fed your kids breakfast about 2 minutes before you hit the road, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t get peckish an hour or two into the journey. Kids can get thirsty, particularly if you’re travelling on a hot day, so ensure there’s enough to hydrate them and keep them satisfied. It’s not the end of the world if you forget snacks, as there will no doubt be service stations you can stop at along the way, but this will significantly add to your journey and could cost you an extra halloween-candy-1014629_1920small fortune.

Ignoring kids’ grievances

Sure, you might have a child that says they don’t need the loo when you leave, only to proclaim ‘I need a wee’ a mere 15 minutes into your journey. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore them, as a false alarm is better than the alternative! Similarly, ignoring cries of ‘I feel sick,’ could have disastrous consequences. If your child is a particularly bad traveller, take a trip to the pharmacy beforehand for something that could help settle their stomach.

Forgetting entertainment

Whether it’s the kids’ favourite film soundtrack (Let it go! Let it go!) or some innovative car games, be sure you’ve come prepared or else you could be in for a solid hour of ‘are we nearly there yet?’

Safety fears

Don’t underestimate how curious and confident toddlers are, especially when you’ve specifically told them not to do something. Always ensure your car is central locked, with a child lock on the back passenger doors where possible. Also, ensure your child is strapped into their car seat or booster properly, to minimise the risk of injury in a crash situation. If your child likes to remove their belt and wriggle around in the seat, a huggybelt could help keep them safe. By ensuring the seat belt rests at the correct position on your child’s body at all times, your child will be best protected in the event of a crash.

By following some of these tips, you can ensure your journeys with kids are happy and fun, almost as good as the day you’ve planned at your chosen destination!

May27
Summer Safety Car Travel Tips

Summer Safety Car Travel Tips

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The weather is getting warmer and the nights are certainly longer, which means one thing – summer is almost in our reach! With that in mind, plenty of families will be planning trips over the break, to see family, to visit attractions and of course travelling for their summer vacation.

Whatever you do this summer, make sure you and all the family have a safe and happy time in the car. After all, figures have shown that more incidents involving children tend to occur on the roads in summer than in winter, so it pays to make sure your little ones are protected as best as possible. Here are a few summer safety car travel tips:

Belt up

The simplest yet most overlooked thing to do is to ensure all family members are belted up properly. 8It may come as a surprise to learn that most parents don’t know if their car seat is fitted properly or not, so it pays to take your seat (and car!) to your nearest Halfords or local safety day to ensure your seats are secured in the right way. Safety experts such as Good Egg Car Safety can also check, and advise you on the correct seat for your child’s height and weight.

Seat belts are not designed for children, so even if you are using the correct booster or car seat, it’s worth considering a huggybelt to ensure the seat belt stays in the correct position without slipping off your child’s shoulder or riding up on their abdomen. The best way to ensure your child wears their seat belt is to lead by example. Ensure all adults in the car wear their belt whilst the engine is on.

Secure projectiles

When planning a summer trip to a caravan or holiday home, it’s more than likely that your car will be packing a lot of luggage. With that said, anything that’s not properly secured in the boot or the back has the potential to become a projectile in the event of a crash or emergency brake situation. huggybelt attached to car seatMake sure any prams/buggies, large bags, sports equipment and unoccupied car seats are all in a secure position that can’t fly across your car. Put what you can into the boot, buckle up unoccupied car seats and place smaller items like handbags etc on the floor.

Stop kids from overheating

On a hot day in a traffic jam, cars can be uncomfortable places to be. For kids, this can make them restless. Plus, there may be additional factors at play, such as the metal buckle on a car seat overheating and irritating their skin. This is another reason to consider a huggybelt, which attaches to your seatbelt to restrain your child properly, without any metal exposed to their skin.

Keep water in a cool bag in the car so that kids – and adults – stay hydrated on the journey. It can also be a good idea to invest in some window shades (which can be inexpensive and easily suctioned onto the rear passenger windows) in order to keep children cool.

 

By following these tips your summer road trip should be a far more comfortable and pleasant experience for all involved. If you’re looking for something to keep the kids amused, why not check out some car games to play on the journey?