Tips for traveling with children this summer

Coinciding with the first operation to come out of the summer, the Spanish Alliance for Children’s Road Safety (AESVI) launches a decalogue of tips for travelling with children this summer. The most important: The child should always travel in their seat, no matter how short the journey. And check its correct installation.

From last Friday until the end of August, there will be more than 86 million long-distance journeys, which will be added to short journeys at destination, according to data from the DGT. This is one of the most risky times of the year, as millions of vehicles will move on Spanish roads, especially on secondary roads, where 8 out of 10 fatal accidents occur. For this reason, AESVI asks drivers to exercise extreme caution during this summer, remembering the importance of protecting children on all journeys, no matter how short they may be. In this sense, the forum of experts, made up of 45 institutions, launches a decalogue with some tips to improve the safety and comfort of children during this summer.

Increase the safety of children in the vehicle with AESVI’s 10 tips:

Always carry the child in their child restraint system, no matter how short the journey. And check that its installation is correct, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Before placing the child in the car on hot days, check the interior temperature of the passenger compartment and especially that of the seat (plastics, fabrics, etc.) to avoid burns. Protects the vehicle from the sun; And before getting in, open the windows and turn on the air conditioning to cool the cabin.
Before making long trips, and especially if the child gets dizzy, consult your pediatrician. They will give you tips to improve the journey, such as avoiding some foods.
Prepare the trip with non-rigid games and the child’s favorite music so that everyone can enjoy the journey without nerves.
If the children have a hard time traveling by car, take advantage of their sleep hours to make part of the trip, leaving first thing in the morning. In addition, you will travel with less heat.
Never leave loose objects, no luggage or pets with the child. In the event of braking or impact, they can be thrown against the child, causing injuries.
Install the chair according to the instructions of the manufacturer’s user manual and the labelling of the seats, and verifies their anchorage. For older people, it is advisable not to remove the backrest of the chair until they are 1.35 m tall, as it provides protection against side impacts. In addition, in the event that they are asleep, it will facilitate a better positioning of the head. For little ones, remember that, although it is mandatory to carry the baby rear-facing up to 9 kg (or 15 months if your seat is i-Size), it is very convenient that you extend this position as long as possible, as it will greatly favor the protection of their neck, head and back.
At destination, do not let your guard down. In summer, the greatest risk of accidents occurs on short journeys and on secondary roads. A lot of caution!
During a long journey, children suffer more than adults (the position in the seat, the heat in the back seats, lack of habit…) so you must stop every 150 km, or every hour and a half, take the child out of their seat and keep them well hydrated.
The safety of the child, and all occupants, depends on you, the driver. Respect the rules, drive calmly and relaxed, without aggressiveness or brusqueness, maintaining a safe distance, and adjusting your speed to the traffic circumstances. Don’t take risks.

Protecting children on the move is a goal that unites us, in which we must all contribute our effort so that no child travels without their child restraint system.

AESVI is made up of manufacturers and importers of CRS, through brands such as Kiddy, Joie, Play, Cybex, Mímame, the Goodbaby International group with the brands Cybex and gb, Concord, the Jané Group, the Dorel group (Bebeconfort and Maxi Cosi), Baby Auto, Be Cool, Chicco, Pediatric Mondial System, Recaro, Romer Vika, RIvekids and Nuna. The RACE, RACC and RACVN automobile clubs. The Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), the Catalan Traffic Service and the Directorate of Traffic of the Basque Country. Primary care and hospital care paediatricians. The National Association of Midwives. The State Federation of Road Education Technicians (FETEVI). The Spanish Confederation of Associations of Parents of Students (CEAPA). The Association for Traffic and Emergency Rescue (ARTE). The Spanish Society for Critical Patient Care (SEAPC). The Andalusian Association of Clinics Without Internment (ASCASI). National Child Safety Association (ANSI). On the academic side, the University is represented by the VEHIVIAL Group (University of Zaragoza), INSIA (Polytechnic University of Madrid) and GRABI (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya).