Child Travel Tips
Tips For Travelling With Children by Car
Four Types Of Child Car Seats
When driving always use a car safety seat for infants and children under 80 pounds. There are four types of seat as follows (click here to see disclaimer):
- Reward facing baby seat - Birth to 12/15 months - Up to 29 lbs
- Forward facing baby seat - 9 months to 4 years - 20/40 lbs
- Booster seat - 4 to 6 years - 33/55 lbs
- Booster cushion - 6-11/12 years - 48/79 lbs
Using Car Seats For Safety
A rear-facing car seat should be used until your child is approximately one year of age and weighs at least 20 pounds. Your child can then be seated in a forward-facing car seat, but it is better to keep him rear-facing seat to the highest weight and/or height allowed by his car safety seat as it offers more support for your baby’s head, neck and spine.
A child who has outgrown her car safety seat with a harness (she has reached the top weight or height allowed for her seat, her shoulders are above the top harness slots, or her ears have reached the top of the seat) should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s seat belt fits properly (usually when the child reaches about 4' 9" in height and is between 8 to 12 years of age).
The Law
It is now law in Ireland and Europe that all children of 12/13 years (approx weight 79lbs)of age should ride in the rear seat of vehicles in a suitable car safety seat. Find out more.
Safety
NEVER place a child in a rear-facing car safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle that has an airbag.
Always wearing a seat belt for your own safety and to set a good example for your children.
NEVER leave your child alone in a car for any amount of time. On a warm day temperatures inside a car can increase to dangerous levels rapidly. Children have died of heat stroke when left in cars.
Parents should pack safe drinking water and snacks for children during the trip, baby wipes, nappies and rash cream, sun shades and blankets.
Ideas To Help With A Restless Child When Travelling
Children can quickly become irritable when travelling. Play games to keep them occupied like "I Spy", sing songs (bring some of their favorite music on CD), bringing soft lightweight toys or a portable DVD player that straps to the front driver or passanger seats.
When planing your journey include regular stops (about every two hours or so) and let your child stretch their legs and take a break. A break will refresh you too.
*IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER*
Disclaimer - the figures given above relating to children and the proper selection
and use of car seats are approximate only.
See www.rsa.ie for more details or Lo-Call 1890 506080 the Irish Road Safety Authority for more information.