As much fun as it is to take the little ones along for the ride, driving with kids is a big responsibility. Keep reading this post by Jim Ackney in Edmonton for tips on how to have safer trips with your children.

As a parent, you know how important it is to keep your little ones happy and comfortable in the car, especially when it comes to long road trips. Of course, driving with kids can be unpredictable. Still, their safety should always be your number one priority when getting them into the car. Thus, this post has put together some practical tips to make driving with children more fun and safe for them. If you are interested in this topic, read on.

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How to Have Safer Trips When Driving With Kids

Keep Your Car in Mint Shape

As you know, you can prevent most driving hazards by keeping your car in top shape. Failure to do so could increase the chances of your vehicle having a mechanical failure on the road, which could lead your family to be stranded or, worse, to be involved in an accident. Given those risks, make sure to follow your car's service requirements. To that end, refer to the maintenance intervals in the owner's manual. It would also be great to have a qualified professional to whom you can entrust the servicing and repairs of your car. This way, you'll have peace of mind knowing that your children are safe inside the vehicle.

Use a Suitable Car Seat

Another key thing to consider is how you secure your kids in the car. Do you use the proper child restraint system? Are the seats correctly installed in the back seat? Are these restrain systems appropriate for the size and weight of your kids? Answering such questions is vital to using your car seats safely and effectively. Also, bear in mind that Alberta law requires children of six years of age and younger to ride in an appropriate car seat.

Set Rules

Focusing your attention on the road is critical to safe driving. Yet, driving with children sometimes involves some distractions. For instance, let's say one of your kids throws a tantrum while you're trying to merge onto a six-lane highway during rush hour. Of course, such a situation would distract you and impair your driving. That's why it's important to teach your children how certain behaviors in the car can be unsafe. You can even set rules to limit tantrums or loud noises on family trips.

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Make Frequent Stops

Spending long hours behind the wheel can be tiring for you and the little ones in the car. That's why we recommend planning rest stops on long road trips. A good rule of thumb is to stop for fifteen minutes every two hours. These breaks will be great for your kids to stretch their legs, go to the bathroom, walk around and play a little.

Equip Your Car With Kid's Essentials

Finally, be sure to stock your car with the essentials to care for your child during trips and journeys. To that end, it is advisable to prepare a backpack or suitcase with the following:

• The first thing you should keep in your vehicle is an emergency kit. Carrying basic medication such as painkillers, antihistamines, and band-aids can be handy if your child feels sick on the road.
• Be sure to bring enough water and snacks for long family trips. It is advisable to choose soft foods like jelly or squeezable yogurt pouches. That way, your child can eat without the risk of choking in the backseat.
• It is always helpful to bring a change of clothes for the kids in case they get dirty along the way. Don't forget to include a jacket or sweater to keep your little ones warm and comfortable in case it gets cold.
• Lastly, keep travel toys such as sketch pads and coloring books in the car to keep your children entertained in their car seats.

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