Public transport in Singapore is highly efficient, allowing you to get from one end of the island to another in just one train ride. Nonetheless, there are circumstances where having your own vehicle is a more feasible option, such as when travelling with children. From having to drop your kids off at different locations, to ensuring that they are all seated comfortably, driving your own vehicle can be undeniably more convenient at times.
If you aren’t ready to commit to the expenses of buying a car, car rental can bring you all the benefits of having your own car but without the high costs associated with it. Whether you’re looking for a seven-seater SUV or a regular sedan, car rental services in Singapore give you the freedom to choose a vehicle that best suits your family’s needs. Nevertheless, there are several things to keep in mind to ensure your children’s safety in the car.
Here are 5 crucial car safety tips to keep your children safe during a ride.
1. Choose the correct car seat
Under Singapore’s law, any child below the height of 1.35m needs to be secured in an appropriate restraint or booster seat. Not all child seats are built the same, so it’s crucial to choose one that is suitable for your child’s height and weight. Infants and young children should be placed in a rear-facing car seat until they exceed the maximum height and weight recommended by the seat’s manufacturer. Children who have outgrown their rear-facing seat should then travel in a front-facing seat until they’ve reached the maximum and height for it as well. After which, they should travel in a booster seat until they are at least 1.4m tall.
Regardless of which seat your child is using, be sure to install it properly to ensure a safe ride. Every car seat has different instructions for installation – follow the manufacturer’s instruction manual carefully and check the seat regularly to make sure that it remains secure.
2. Never remove your child from the seat in a moving car
Even if it’s just for a minute, never take your child out from his or her seat when the car is moving. Although it can be difficult to hear your child cry, especially if you have an infant, their safety is highly dependent on being well secured at the time of a crash. If you really need to take your child out of their seat to feed or comfort them, find a place to safely pull over and park your car before doing so.
3. Fit the seatbelt correctly
Seat belts are meant to be used by only one person and should never be put around both a child and an adult at the same time. Never place your child on your lap when travelling in a car. Using one seat belt to buckle two people, can injure both parties severely during a crash. You should also never allow your child to ride without a seat belt. Children who aren’t wearing a seat belt could end up hurting themselves or even others around them.
4. Activate child safety locks
Especially if your child has a habit of playing with the door handles in your car, it’s a good idea to activate your car’s child safety locks. These locks allow the car door to be opened from the outside, but not from the inside. As such, they’re highly effective in preventing your children from accidentally opening the doors while the car is moving. These locks are often found on the side of your car’s rear doors and are operated by pressing a button or flicking a child lock switch.
5. Lock the windows
Many modern vehicles come with automatic windows which can be hazardous to young children. From time to time, children may accidentally trigger an automatic window, trapping their fingers, hands, arms, or their head. Thus, it’s a good idea to lock your car’s automatic windows to prevent your children from getting trapped or injured. With just one push of a button, you can make your vehicle a lot safer for your children by ensuring that you have sole control of the automatic windows.
Conclusion
Follow these tips above to ensure that your children not only have a safe ride but a comfortable one as well. At Cars and Trips, we provide a wide range of vehicles to get your family around town, with convenient pick-ups in your preferred neighbourhoods. Whether you’re looking for a car rental in Yishun or thinking of exploring the car rentals in Ubi, let us meet your automotive needs. We partner with trusted local vendors to bring you high-quality vehicle rentals that are tailored to your needs.
