Taking your children in the car for a long journey can be stressful. To make it easier for parents, we have listed some helpful car accessories to make your trip easier and protect your child and car.
In car mirror
Keeping an eye on your child while driving or in the front passenger seat isn’t always easy. You shouldn’t turn around to look at your child or baby, especially if you’re the one driving. However, you might want to check in on them to make sure they’re ok and behaving. In-car or baby mirrors are great for giving parents peace of mind while driving or sitting in the front as a passenger. To do this whilst driving or as a front-seat passenger, you can add an in-car mirror or baby mirror. These usually attach to your dashboard or sun visor, and when placed correctly, they allow you to glance to check on your child or baby quickly whilst you’re driving. If you need to look in more detail, you should stop the vehicle to prevent an accident.
Car seat protectors
Kids have a tendency to put their feet on or even kick the back of the front seats of the car. This can lead to dirty marks and even damage to the seats, which can be very frustrating for you as a parent. To help minimise damage and keep your child entertained, you can add car seat protectors to the back of the front seats. Choose a seat protector that has pockets where you can store things that will keep your child entertained during your car ride. Many of these car seat protectors have a kick mat which will protect your car seats if your child does put their feet up or kick the back of the seats when they have too much energy or feel frustrated. You can also use spare pockets for essential items such as wipes or spare nappies.
Car seats or booster seats
Depending on your child's age and size, you’ll need to have a fitted car seat or a booster seat to keep them safe when they’re riding in the car. Always choose a reliable brand and make sure the seat is fitted correctly. You should ensure the straps are securely fastened when placing your child in the car seat. The straps need to be securely fastened and close to their body to keep them safe in the event of an accident. Children and babies shouldn’t wear coats when they’re strapped in their car seats. As your child grows, you will need to switch from a car seat to a booster seat; always follow the official guidance to keep your child safe when they’re in the car.
Window sunshades
When you’re driving in the sunshine, there is no way you can avoid the sun coming through the windows unless you have tinted windows. A good way to protect your child from the sun in the car is to add window sunshades to the back. These are really easy to install; they often just stick to the window using suckers. Choose ones with a fun pattern or characters that your children like; this will help to keep them happy and entertained when you’re in the car. They can help keep your child asleep, making your whole journey much easier as a parent. In addition, they can give your family privacy as it will be harder for others to see through the windows into your car.
Disposable sickness bags
Children often struggle with car sickness on long journeys, especially if they spend time looking at a screen and not out of the window. Keeping a supply of sick bags in your car can minimise the clean-up after an accident. Pulling over straight away when your child feels sick might not always be possible, so giving them a sick bag is much better than cleaning it up off their clothes and your car. Child-sick bags are inexpensive to purchase, so it's worth buying a pack even if you never need them. If you have seat organisers in your car, add these into the pockets so your children can find them quickly and easily when you’re driving.