Most parents are familiar with child-proofing your home, from stair gates to cupboard locks, but have you thought about doing the same for your car?
After all, your car is so important for transporting the family around, whether it be for school runs, travelling for holidays or being available for emergencies.
When it comes to having children in the car, it’s key that you’re able to keep the car safe, which includes being tidy and clean too. In this blog, we’ll talk you through some of the key safety features to child-proof your car, but also how you can protect your car from messy kids too!
Non-negotiable car safety features for children
In any car, you’ll benefit from a few simple features that can make a big difference when it comes to safety. For instance, having child safety locks on both the rear doors and windows can help to set your mind at rest, once they’re big enough to reach those handles and buttons. Activating these safety locks can help to create that extra layer of protection for your kids, whether the car is moving or stationary.
Correctly fitted child seats is also of paramount importance. Check you have the right car seat for your child’s height and weight, and make sure it is installed properly. ISOFIX is often the preferred system, as it relies on metal connection points built into the car as opposed to a seatbelt.
Finally, consider your airbags. If you have to have a rear-facing car seat in the front passenger seat, always turn the airbag off. In fact, it’s recommended to always have your kids in the rear seats whenever possible.
Additional safety tips for kids in cars
Any journey with the kids can pose potential hazards and stressors. Consider removing or securing loose items in the cabin. In the event of sudden braking or a collision, everyday objects can become projectiles and increase the risk of injury. This includes small objects like coins, batteries or pens that children may get hold of while you’re driving. You might also want to think about hot drinks in the car and keeping them well out of reach of little hands.
Keeping your car tidy and more organised can help to ensure the car is safe, so we’ve got some extra tips to help you below.
3 ways to keep your car more organised
So, if you’re looking for ways to child-proof your car and keep things like toys, snacks and other bits and pieces organised, here are some tips.
- Seat-back organisers: These can be handy for storing toys and other similar objects that might be needed during the journey. Bigger kids will be able to reach these as and when they need them, saving you from turning around or trying to pass items back.
- Snack organisers: If you’re on a longer journey that requires car snacks, consider investing in containers that have different compartments. Not only does this reduce the amount of Tupperware you need to pack in the car, but it keeps everything more accessible for everyone.
- Storage or boot organisers: This is also handy as travelling with kids can require a lot of different items. Organising it all properly when packing up the car and help you to remember where everything is, especially if you need to stop and get something mid-journey.
How to child-proof against a messy car
Of course, it’s inevitable that your car will get messy or dirty when travelling with kids. Some of the most common issues include muddy shoes, spilled snacks and sticky fingers. Having some of these cleaning essentials to hand can make all the difference for cleaning up area of your car.
- Wipes: Keep some car interior wipes in the glovebox, which are great for cleaning your dashboard, trim and other hard surfaces.
- Interior spray cleaner: For spillages that need a bit more than a wipe, our Multi-Surface Interior Detailer is ideal for use on hard surfaces including touch screens and glass.
- Seat and carpet cleaner: If you regularly experience dried-in dirt from muddy shoes, an Upholstery & Carpet Cleaner is ideal for the fast removal of stains.
You might also want to consider additional convenient solutions like a portable car bin and a spare bag for muddy or wet clothes.
10 minute tidy routine for a mess-free car
If you’re looking for an easy routine or good habits to adopt to keep your car tidy, here are just some of the things you can do to keep on top of the mess that can accumulate!
- Empty rubbish after every trip
- Wipe down high-touch surfaces
- Brush down seat upholstery
- Shake your car mats outside
- Check for recent spillages
Hopefully this blog gave you some helpful tips on keeping your kids safe in the car, and also keeping your car safe from child-associated mess! For more advice, check out our blog, or browse through our range of car cleaning products.