5 Tips Every New Parent Needs to Stay Safe on the Road
This guest blog post is courtesy of Daniel Sherwin of DadSolo.com
When you become a new parent, you take every precaution needed to keep your newborn safe at home. So it should come as no surprise that you need to take a few steps to keep your family protected on the road as well. Make use of the following measures—such as investing in a reliable smartphone and full coverage auto insurance—to prevent dangerous situations from happening.
Have Full-Coverage Auto Insurance
Thinking about being involved in an accident with your infant in the car can be stressful, but accidents can happen at any time, even on your way home from the hospital. So before you take your first trip as a family, make sure you have all of the essentials to protect your family from accidents. Start by checking your auto insurance to see if you may be sacrificing coverage for discounts. Having full coverage insurance, which combines comprehensive with collision, is a must for ensuring that damages to your car or medical bills will not wipe out your family’s savings. It can also give new parents peace of mind, since it’s more beneficial than only having liability coverage.
Get a Reliable Smartphone
Another must for staying safe on the road is a reliable smartphone. While you shouldn’t use your phone while driving, a smartphone can come in handy if you need to call emergency services or locate the nearest hospital. Of course, smartphone apps can also be useful for calming fussy babies, so think about upgrading your phone to one of the latest models that can run smoothly. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S10 line comes with a super-fast processor and excellent battery life. It also comes with Android Auto, which turns your dashboard into a simple interface to help you drive more safely. If you prefer the latest iPhones for their extended battery life and speed, know that those also come with integrated features to help parents and children stay safe on the road.
Buy Emergency Supplies
You will also want to keep some essential supplies in your car for all emergencies. Flares and cones are crucial for helping other drivers see you on the roadside, but you will also want to pack some extra coats to keep you and your family warm during cold or rainy weather. Since your smartphone can be such a lifesaver during roadside emergencies, invest in a portable charger. Finally, keep a first aid kit in your car at all times, with bandages, medications, and other essentials.
Regularly Schedule Car Maintenance
Dealing with a blown out tire or dead battery is never fun, no matter how well prepared you may be. So to save some stress and ensure safety, new parents should use a maintenance routine to keep their cars in the best shape possible. Checking crucial maintenance points such as tires, engine oil, and fluids will make your car much easier to operate and can keep you from having to break out those emergency supplies in the first place. Plus, if you are worried about sticking to a tight budget after your new baby, maintaining a car is way cheaper than buying a new one.
Practice Safe Driving Behavior
In America, the number one cause of car accidents is distracted driving. Drivers are considered “distracted” when they are focusing on anything other than the road. Busy parents can be distracted by using their phones, eating food, or even paying attention to children. Some of the other most prevalent causes of car accidents involve driving behaviors as well, such as speeding, running red lights, and driving while intoxicated. Drowsy driving is another dangerous habit to avoid, but this can be tricky for sleep-deprived parents. So try to get good rest before hitting the road, and if you feel too sleepy to drive, consider seeking alternative transportation.
You wouldn’t dream of putting your new baby in your vehicle without a proper child seat. So why risk your family’s health and safety by neglecting other essential car and driver safety steps? Take the steps you need to keep your car dependable and to keep your family secure, so that you can have one less worry to stress about as a new parent.
