Summer Travel Tips: Keeping Kids Safe and Comfortable

Tips for Beating the Heat on Summer Road Trips

Summer is in full swing. Longdays filled with sunshine, swimming and warm weather. For many families, summer vacation is prime-time for road trips. My family takes a road trip every summer to visit our extended family. This year we'll be hitting the road in August. Hot weather, guaranteed. Whether your family is headed out for errands around town or a cross country adventure, keep these tips in mind to keep your kids safe and comfortable for the ride:

 

1. Keep water bottles in the car.

To ensure that everyone in the car stays hydrated, travel with a small cooler stocked with water bottles. Pro tip: put your water bottles in the freezer the night before, so they stay cold all day. Remember to safely store the cooler in the trunk of your car so it won’t become a projectile in the event of a crash.

 

2. Cover your child’s car seat when not in use.

Keep a small, light-colored sheet in the car to place over your child’s car seat when not in use. Fitted sheets or even crib sheets work well for this. The sheet will help deflect some of the heat and keep the surface cooler for your child when you strap them back in. Avoid tears: before putting your child in the car seat, always make sure you check the seat to ensure it is not too hot for your child.

 

3. Remember: everyone buckles up on every ride.

It’s essential that all passengers—both kids and adults‚—remain securely buckled for every trip, no matter how long or short. If you're not certain about whether your rear-facing car seat or forward-facing car seat is installed correctly in your car, you're not alone. Approximately 70% of car seats are not installed properly! Astounding, right? The good news is that certified car seat technicians not only exist, they’re ready to answer your questions. Find a tech near you: http://cert.safekids.org/find-tech

 

4. Set-up Reminders to Help Ensure Your Child is Not Left Behind in a Vehicle.

You can set-up routines for yourself and other caregivers to follow as precautions to prevent a child from being unintentionally left behind in a vehicle. Make it a habit to go to the backseat. Learn more ways here: Life Saving Reminders for National Heatstroke Prevention Day

 

Wishing you a summer of safe travel adventures!