Safe travels with your little ones: Top car safety tips for UAE parents

Dubai: Did you know that traffic accidents are the leading cause of child deaths in the UAE?

The Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) recently released a car safety guide for children, providing insights into why parents fail to implement car safety rules, what the UAE’s laws say about children’s security and how parents can make a positive change.

In 2017, the UAE enacted a law that requires all passengers to wear seatbelts at all times. For children under four, a designated child seat is mandatory and children under 10 cannot ride in the front seat.

The surprising fact, though, is that according to ADPHC, more than half of UAE parents are unaware of these child safety seatbelt laws.

The guide also provides some helpful tips and reminders for parents, based on studies and incidents that are commonly observed among UAE parents:

1. Always use the right seat: Invest in a high-quality, age-appropriate car seat. Avoid used seats unless they are certified safe and unexposed to accidents or extreme heat.

2. Never leave your child unattended: Heatstroke is a serious threat. Always take your child with you when leaving the car.

3. Keep limbs inside! Ensure your child keeps their arms, legs, and head inside the vehicle always, whether the car is moving or parked.

4. Activate child locks: Make sure the rear doors have the child lock on, to prevent accidental exits.

5. Secure loose objects: Store loose items like bags or toys in the trunk or a secure location to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles in the event of a crash.

6. Secure the car seat: Ensure your child’s car seat is properly installed and won’t come loose during a sudden stop or accident.

7. Pet safety matters too: Use pet seat belts to keep your furry friends safe and secure.

8. Park and exit safely: Always park away from traffic and have children exit the car from the side that is away from moving traffic. Always hold young children’s hands near roads – supervising children around traffic is necessary until they are at least 10 years old.

9. Teach emergency awareness: Show your child how to use safety features and open car doors in case of emergencies.

10. Never leave your car running: This is a safety hazard and a temptation for young children.

11. Keep car keys out of reach: Store car keys securely away from children at home and keep them with you when you are out.

12. Monitor interior temperature: Even if you feel comfortable, a parked car can heat up quickly. Be mindful of your child’s temperature, especially if they are bundled up or in a rear-facing seat, or in a part of the car that does not get direct air flow from the air-conditioner.

Driving with unhappy children can distract from safe driving. Here are four simple things that you can do to not just keep them entertained, but also drive more safely:

Engage in conversation: Talk to children during the drive about activities or sights.

Play music or stories: Play children’s songs, sing together, or listen to audio stories.

Reward good behaviour: Praise children for wearing seat belts and behaving well in the car.

Provide entertainment: Offer music, audiobooks, games, or snacks suitable for the journey.

Creating a culture of safety comes over time and can become easier when children are just as involved in the process as you. There is nothing more annoying than trying to wrestle a child into a car seat, but there are ways in which you can gradually reduce your child’s resistance to wearing a seat belt of sitting in a car seat.

For example, not being consistent with the rule of sitting in a car seat can send the wrong message to your child, so make sure you use car seats from the start and use them every time you ride. Also, get them involved by allowing them to choose the car seat if they are a little older. Allow them to pick their favourite colour or favourite cartoon character, as this buy-in can make a big difference!

Most importantly, parents should model the behaviour first, so always wear your seat belt, as children tend to do things they see, more than what they are told.