Time to pack up the kids and furkids for family holiday travel. If anything you’re probably already an expert at protecting your car from spills and damage. Especially if you’ve had the pleasure of being a parent for a while. However, if you’re a new parent or family member in need of protection, let us help!
Protect your car from kids and pets with this guide.
How to Child Proof Your Car
- Use Child Locks
- Secure Seat Belts
- DIY Seat Protectors
- Store Hazards Safely
- Always Look Before Locking
Child Locks
Yes. Even if they are annoying for your older passengers, using child safety features is important. Little kids are curious! You would not want to run the risk of having a child fling open the car door or crawl out the window. You can usually find the child door lock on the inner part of your car door. The window lock is the funny looking window button with an X on the drivers’ side.
Secure Seat Belts
It’s imperative that you secure your children tightly and comfortably in their seat belt. Loose or ill fitting belts can result in injury, and even death. Be sure that the little ones are not left unaccounted for either. Make sure that you are using a proper car seat for the age weight of your child. The typical age for children to move to a regular seatbelt is 8-12 years old.
DIY Seat Protectors
Children are notorious for spilling drinks and ruining car upholstery. Even if you think your leather seats are protected, think again. Luckily, if you don’t usually have children in your vehicle you can create a DIY seat protector. All you really have to do is use an old blanket or sheet. It’s better to have spills and crumbs in a collected area.
However, if you aren’t wanting to use that method, you can always have your car upholstery professionally cleaned by McDowells. That way all of the small crumbs, and hard to reach spills are taken care of.
Store Hazards Safely
If you haul around sharp tools or cleaning supplies in your car, be sure to store them accordingly. At young ages anything can become a toy. Not only is it detrimental to the child’s safety, but it’s also important for protecting the interior of your car. Before going on a long drive with children, store the hazards in the trunk and fasten them securely.
Always Look Before Locking
Whether it’s cold or hot, the weather switches to extreme conditions in a matter of minutes. In no case should you ever leave a child unattended in a vehicle. Get in the habit of looking in the back before you leave the car. Even on a 70 degree day, the temperature inside a car can jump to 104 in 30 minutes. The humidity also accumulates at a rapid rate, making it even more muggy and unbreathable.
How to Pet Proof Your Car
- Clean Beforehand
- Pack a Care Kit
- Cut Their Nails
- Cover the Upholstery
- Play Before Travel
Clean Beforehand
It may seem counterintuitive, but cleaning before will save you a bigger headache in the end. Especially if you have kids or guests who eat in the car, try to clean out the space before putting your pet in the car where they can and will eat anything. If you don’t have the tools or time to clean thoroughly, consider having your auto upholstery professionally cleaned.
Pack a Care Kit
On long car rides pets get antsy, some more than others. Pack a care kit of trash bags, toys, food, water, and towels. This can also include things like lint rollers, air fresheners, and first-aid kits, that will help you out too. If anything, pet owners should try to entertain their animals with toys or treats like they would with children.
Cut Their Nails
Pet nails are an auto upholstery nightmare. It’s easy for them to snag a seam or rip the material if their nails are long. Give them a nice trim beforehand so they aren’t awkwardly trying to regain stability and accidentally tearing into the seat. If you do end up with damage, you can have your auto interior repaired in Boise for a reasonable price.
Cover the Upholstery
This goes hand in hand with what we talked about with childproofing your car. You can find some really affordable seat covers online, but if you’re looking for a quicker method, use towels, old blankets, and sheets. Dogs aren’t the kind of pet that will wipe their feet off before climbing onto the seats.
Play Before Travel
Pets can be rambunctious at the worst times. When going on longer rides where your pets will be in the car for an extended amount of time, consider giving them extra attention. Wear them out before the ride. This way, they are more relaxed and less likely to get antsy. Just throwing the ball a few times or moving the laser pointer around should do it. It’s also fun just playing with your pets too.