One of the most important jobs you have as a parent is keeping your child safe when riding in a vehicle. Yet, each year thousands of young children are killed or injured in car crashes and other vehicle-related incidents. Here are eight tips for keeping your little ones safe in the car:

1.  Buy a Safe Car - Selecting a safe vehicle is one of the most important things you can do to protect your family.  Seems like a no-brainer, right?  Surprisingly, most people put safety very low on their priority list when shopping for a car.    Don’t automatically assume that SUVs are safe, as large vehicles are difficult to control and are more prone to rollover.  A small SUV, wagon or sedan may be a better choice.  If you are considering an SUV, look for one with a low rollover risk.  Look for a vehicle with five star safety ratings for both front and side-impact crashes, and make sure it comes equipped with front and side curtain airbags (for all seats), anti-lock breaks, stability control, independent suspension, and a tire pressure monitoring system.  Still not sure what to buy?  Women’s Automotive Solutions can help you pick the perfect vehicle and get a great deal!

2.  Maintain Your Vehicle - Keeping your car in good mechanical condition is essential for avoiding accidents and other mishaps that could endanger your children.  Have your brakes (rotors and pads) inspected regularly by a qualified technician.  Good tires are just as important as good brakes, so select quality tires and replace them when the “tread wear bars” become flush with the tire’s tread.  Finally, keep your windows and mirrors clean to maximize visibility.

3.  Be Prepared - Keep emergency supplies in your car in the event of an accident or breakdown.  The Department of Homeland Security recommends stashing a supply of bottled water, a flashlight, flares, blankets, gloves, non-perishable snacks, and a first aid kit in your trunk.  If you find yourself on the side of the road, keep your children locked inside the car until the situation is resolved so they don’t wander into traffic.

4.  Manage Distractions - Nearly 80 percent of car accidents or near-accidents are caused by distracted drivers, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  Avoid using your cell phone while driving, even if it’s hands-free.  Reduce child-related distractions by keep the kids entertained with books, games or movies.  Remind them that Mommy (or Daddy) needs to watch the road, and then reward them for good behavior.  (Bribery is perfectly acceptable here.)

5.  Just Breathe - When the kids are fighting, you’re running late, and the person in front of you is going 10 miles under the speed limit, it’s pretty easy to lose your cool.  Road rage leads to tailgating, abrupt lane changes, and slamming on the brakes, which endanger children and teach bad driving habits.  Elaine Masters of http://www.DrivetimeYoga.com suggests using Yoga-based breathing and small stretching exercises for reducing stress behind the wheel.

6.  Select the Right Car Seat - Car safety seats reduce the risk of death by 71% for infants and by 54% for children ages one to four years.   All current car seats (6 years old or newer) pass government safety standards, so the safest seat is one that fits your child, fits your vehicle, and one you will use correctly every time.  Be wary of used car seats that may have been in a crash, that show any cracks or damage, or are missing labels, model number, manufacturing date, instructions or parts.  Never put thick towels or any compressible material under a car seat, as this can reduce the safety of your installation.

7.  A Snug Fit is Best - Car seat harnesses should fit snugly with no space between the child and the straps.  Winter coats and blankets underneath safety restraints are dangerous because they compress in a crash, creating slack. This extra space can cause a baby or toddler to slip through the straps during a crash.  If you need to keep your child warm, try a Baby Bloak™!  Invented by “mompreneur” and TheCarMommy.com blogger, Jennifer Albin, the Baby Bloak is a snuggly, hooded blanket designed to fit over a car seat’s safety restraints.  Check it out at http://www.TheBabyBloak.com!  

8.  Don’t Forget Your Kid - Accidentally leaving your baby in the car seems so unimaginable, most of us think, “How could any parent do that?”  Tragically, over 300 children have died from heat exhaustion in the United States over the last 10 years after being left in a hot vehicle for several hours.  Kidsandcars.org, an advocacy group for child vehicle safety, suggests always putting something you’ll need for work, such as a cell phone, handbag, or employee badge on the floor of the back seat, near the child.  Or, you can purchase the Cars-N-Kids Car Seat Monitor (around $40), which turns on when it senses a child’s weight and sounds a lullaby when the car has stopped.