CAR SAFETY

Make sure you and you children use seat belts and that infants
ride in a car seats. Buy a car seat before your child is born.
Be sure that is has been approved by the Consumer Products
Safety Commission. One type is a bucket seat, which is
designed for children up to 20 pounds. It is installed so that
the baby faces the rear of the car. In case of an accident,
the seat back absorbs most of the impact. A second kind
is a convertible model that may be used in infancy until
a child weights about 40 pounds. For infants, it faces
rearward; for children who weigh more than 20 pounds, it
can be turned forwwar. Place the car seat in the back,
ideally strapped in the center seat. Never leave a baby in
a car unattended--even for a quick dash into a store.

Other car safety tips are to travel prepared. Keep a coat
or blanket in the trunk in winter weather. Have a gallon or
more of water in the trunk in case it is needed for an
emergency or for drinking. It doesn't hurt to have some
snacks incase of breakdowns but make sure they are
recycled often for freshness. Now days a cell phone is a
must. It can be inexpensive, and low monthly minutes but
can be a life saver in a road emergency. Other items that
can really come in handy are an extra quart of oil, a can of
those fix-a-flats, a flashlight, flares, an old plastic table cloth
in case you need to put on the ground while you check
out a car problem. You should have emergency numbers
you may need in your glove compartment. It sure doesn't
hurt in snowy or icy weather to have a thermos of your
favorite hot beverage so that when you are stuck in
traffic for long periods and need to shut off the car, you
can keep warm with hot liquid and that extra coat or
blanket.

The important thing to remember, is do whatever you
need to do for your and your families safety while you
are "on the road."
*Do Not Drink When You Have Been Drinking
*Friend Do Not Let Friends Drive
When They Have Been Drinking

*This is not intended to be a replacement for expert advice
or professional medical care.*