When you become a parent for the first time, everything changes. Many things you may have previously taken for granted must be reconsidered. Driving is no different. Is your vehicle suitable for children? You can do a few things to prepare your automobile for your new baby and keep things safe as they develop into a toddler and then a small child. But first, let’s look at a safety device that comes standard in almost every car: the child lock. When triggered, they prohibit back seat passengers from opening the doors from the inside both when the car is stopped and moving. If you’re a new parent with a newborn, you probably won’t need to use your car’s child lock right away. However, once your child is a little older, you’ll be grateful it’s there. Small children can become agitated, especially if they are seated in a car. They like exploring their surroundings and learning by touching things. So, if kids discover the car’s door handle and begin to play with it, it could lead to disaster.
How do child locks work?
The method for activating the kid locks will differ significantly depending on the brand and model of your vehicle. But most of the time, it’s as simple as opening your rear doors and looking for a little switch on the edge of the door. Many models will allow you to operate the switch by hand, however, some will require a key. You may be able to activate your kid locks electronically on more recent models. A door control device may be located on your dashboard or on your steering wheel. Simply consult your owner’s manual to learn how to activate the child locks in your vehicle. This will also offer you a quick review of some of your vehicle’s other child safety features. Child locks are most likely only found in the back doors of your vehicle. This is due to the fact that, with very few exceptions, children are obliged by law to ride in car seats in the back of their vehicle. Again, it depends on the model – certain vehicles may have a child lock in the front passenger seat, but the majority do not.
Other important points
The most critical thing to get right in your automobile if you’re a new parent is the child car seat. There are tight restrictions limiting the types of seats that are required, as well as when they are required. If you have a child’s car seat installed in your vehicle and are in an accident, or if it is damaged as a result of a fire or theft, we will pay toward the cost of a replacement seat, even if it does not appear to be damaged. Please see the policy wording for further information. Because there are no laws governing child restraints in automobiles, there is no way of knowing when you can stop using them. This is entirely due to the child. It is your responsibility to establish your own rules for your children in the automobile. You might want to set up a system in which they don’t leave unless you say it’s OK. Nobody understands your child’s responsibility levels better than you, so you’ll know when it’s appropriate to stop using child locks.
Conclusion
If you’re doing the school run in your car, it’s a good idea to become acquainted with your vehicle’s kid safety locks. Every parent knows that youngsters are prone to becoming restless, especially in the back seat, so it’s wise to err on the side of caution and activate the child locks in your vehicle. Child safety locks are often incorporated into the rear doors of most cars and are meant to prevent rear-seat passengers, particularly small children, from opening the doors while the vehicle is in motion and stationary. The kid lock in certain recent models can be operated electronically from the driver’s seat using a door control unit. It’s recommended to pull out your car manual from the glove compartment and become acquainted with the child safety features in your particular vehicle.
