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.

Travel by automobile is statistically one of the most dangerous forms of transportation.  Yet, driving is such an integral part of our daily lives that we don’t think much about the dangers.  No matter how skilled of a driver you may be, an accident could happen to you.  If you are involved in an accident, remain calm and follow these steps to lessen the stress and protect yourself from potential liability.

1.  STOP!  Stop your vehicle and, if necessary, move it to a safe position near the location of the accident. The law requires that you stop at the accident scene.  Failure to do so could result in a traffic ticket or a warrant for your arrest.
 
2.  Check all involved parties for injuries.  Seriously injured persons should not be moved unless they are in imminent danger from fire, traffic or other hazards.  Everyone who can walk should move to a safe location.  If necessary, call 911 for medical assistance.  If you are injured or think you may be injured, seek medical attention immediately.  If you do not seek it from the scene, do so as soon as possible thereafter and keep all related paperwork for possible reimbursement.

3.  Contact the police. The police will advise you if their response to the scene is necessary. Contact the police if the accident involves a hit and run, if there are injuries to people, or if it is apparent that liability will be disputed. If police are present at the scene of the accident, get the police officer’s name, phone number, and the police report number.

4.  Do NOT admit fault!   It is natural to want say that you are sorry to the other people involved in the accident, but this could be construed as an admission that you were at fault.  Instead, simply give the details of the accident and cooperate with the police in providing answers to their questions.

5.  Exchange contact information.  Exchange names, addresses, and phone numbers with all parties involved in the accident.   Get the year, make, model, license plate number, insurance carrier, and insurance policy number for all vehicles involved.  Identify any witnesses to the accident and gather their contact information as well.

6.  Call your insurance company.  If there is damage to any vehicle or injuries as a result of the accident, immediately report the accident to your insurance company and cooperate in the same manner as with the police.  If you have a camera in your possession, take photos of the damage to the vehicle, accident scene, and people involved.
  
7.  Take care of your vehicle.  If your vehicle isn’t drivable and must be towed, be sure to write down the name, address, and phone number of the towing company and be advised of the towing and storage fees.  Arrange for your vehicle to be repaired as soon as possible.  If it appears your vehicle may not be repaired soon after the accident, make sure you remove it so storage fees don’t accrue.  (You will have to pay the fees up to that point, but seek to get those reimbursed.)  If you vehicle is totaled and cannot be repaired, contact Women’s Automotive Solutions to discuss replacement options.

8.  Find the best repair shop.  Depending on your insurance company and coverage, you may be able to choose any body shop to repair your vehicle, or you may be required to select one that is pre-approved by your insurance company.  Don’t assume that a body shop is good just because your insurance company recommends it.  Research local repair facilities to find the one that is best qualified to fix your type of vehicle and has a solid reputation.  Contact Women’s Automotive Solutions if you need a referral.
    
9.  Consult an attorney.  If you are injured and want to seek compensation for medical bills and pain & suffering from another vehicle’s insurance company, do NOT make the claim or speak to them without consulting with an attorney.  Even if you are making a claim for property damage for your vehicle, consult with an attorney before speaking to the adverse insurance company so you know and can protect your own rights.  If you are contacted by another party involved in the accident or by someone acting on his/her behalf (such as an investigator or representative from his/her insurance company), do NOT speak with him/her unless and until you have contacted an attorney.
 
10.  Take care of yourself.  Give yourself sufficient time to rest and recover after an accident, even if you don’t think you suffered any injuries.  The stress of being in an accident causes a rush of adrenaline in the body, which can mask pain and inflammation.  It can often take 24 hours or longer for aches and pains to surface.  Always follow up with your doctor and/or chiropractor to assess any underlying injury and take corrective action to prevent potential long term damage.  Keep track of all medical expenses and any lost wages and seek to get them reimbursed.

Nearly 6.5 million automobile accidents happen in the United States each year, with a financial cost of over $230 billion, according to the Federal Highway Administration.  If you are involved in an accident, take the steps necessary to protect yourself, your family and your assets.  Of course, prevention is always the best tactic, so DRIVE SAFELY!

(This article was co-written by Justin Lowenberger.  Justin is an attorney with Ted A. Greve & Associates, a law firm that represents clients who have suffered personal injuries or property damage in automobile or truck accidents in North Carolina and South Carolina.   Learn more about how they can help and protect you on the web at www.MyDrTed.com.   Justin can be reached directly at 704-804-7114.)

Are you looking for a really special birthday or anniversary gift for your spouse?  Or, maybe, for yourself?  How about renting an exotic car! 

A woman called me a few weeks ago and asked if I could help her rent a car, instead of purchase one.  Her husband has always wanted to drive a high end sports car, so she decided to treat him for his birthday.  Since buying him a swanky ride was not quite in the budget, she looked into renting one for a week.  Exotic car rental companies are a dime a dozen in places like Miami and LA, but not so much in Charlotte.  So, she turned to the Car Chick for help. 

Although I was unable to find any exotic car rental companies (that are still in business) in the Carolinas, I did find a Porsche club that fit the bill.  Club Ferdinand, located near Ashville, North Carolina, is a car club that affords its members the opportunity to drive a fleet of ten beautiful Porsches.  This dream fleet includes Boxsters, Caymans, Cayennes, 911s, and even a classic 356 Carrera Speedster.  Memberships are based either on points or driving days, and start as low as $990. 

While Club Ferdinand does offer rentals, a driving days based membership is a more cost effective option.  For just under $1500, you can purchase a seven driving day membership.  You can use all seven days at one time, or you can spread them out over two years.  You can drive any Porsche in their fleet with unlimited mileage in North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.  Liability, collision and comprensive insurance are included. 

Want to combine the thrill of driving a Porsche with a romantic weekend?  Club Ferdinand has partnered with the historic Mast Farm Inn to provide driving tour packages of the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway.  To learn more about Club Ferdinand, their Porsche fleet, and available driving tours, please visit them on the web at www.ClubFerdinand.com or call Henri Deschamps at 828-963-2626.

Do you hate having to make the time to take your car in for service or an inspection?  Do you hate standing in line at the DMV?  (Ok, who doesn’t?)  Women’s Automotive Solutions can take care of these pesky, but necessary, tasks for you through our affiliate partner “Top- Priority Concierge & Errand Service”.   Top-Priority is a woman-owned, professional errand service company serving the Charlotte, NC market.  VIP auto services include taking your car to be washed or detailed, taking it in for scheduled maintenance, inspection or repairs, handling DMV paperwork, even filling it up with gas!  Contact the Car Chick to learn more!

Top-Priority can also save you valuable time on a varity of other tasks and errands.  Visit them on the web to learn more, and tell them that Women’s Automotive Solutions sent you!

Getting your car ready to sell can be a pain, especially if your vehicle has some minor damage.  You know that you should really fix that scrape on the side where you grazed the garage door or the dent in the bumper where you hit the mailbox, but you don’t want the hassle of putting your car into the body shop for a couple days.  Fortunately, there are companies that bring the body shop to you! 

Companies like Collision on Wheels can do minor collision repairs in your own driveway or the parking lot at your office, saving you valuable time.  They even have a mobile paint booth (think big, blow-up tent) to do paint touch-ups.  Naturally, they can’t fix the big stuff, but bumper dings and scrapes are their specialty and at a price that is typically 20% - 50% less than a traditional body shop.

Go one step further, and have your car professionally cleaned by a mobile detailer.  Professional detailers know how to buff out light scratches, get stains out of upholstery and make your car shine! 

Collision on Wheels is a national franchise with certified technicians in most major cities, including Charlotte.  For a free estimate, call 1-866-551-DENT.  Visit them on the web at www.CollisionOnWheels.com.

Zoom Impressions is a mobile detailer in Charlotte, NC that cleans cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles and even airplanes.  For a quote or appointment, call 980-297-6546 or visit www.ZoomImpressions.com.