Safe travels

The main rules to remember:

• Safety products are used according to age recommendations and weight limits
• There can be no excess of reflectors, lights and reflective products
• Read the product instructions properly and ask the seller if necessary
• Follow the guidelines, weight limits, and recommendations — they were created for a reason!

Safety measures begin before the birth of the child

The seat belt is intended to protect the person driving, but there is more to protect when pregnant. The main thing is that the seat belt is worn correctly and that it settles in the right place:

1. The hip belt should be in the right place on the lower part of the pelvis. When pregnant, you can use a pregnancy sealt belt adjuster, which directs the car's lap belt to the lower part of the pelvis, where it does not press on the stomach or fetus. It also makes sure the seat belt does not slip back over the stomach. This way your stomach does not act as an “airbag” in the event of a crash. A belt adjuster, when used correctly, reduces the risk of miscarriage and premature birth.
2. The shoulder belt should run on the side of the pregnancy belly, through your chest between the breasts, to the middle of your shoulder. The belt should not slide under or over the shoulder and should be as close as possible to the body.

You can find two different BeSafe Pregnancy Belt Adjusters in our selection. The belt adjuster is recommended to be used from the second month of pregnancy onwards. Read more about wearing seat belts while pregnant on the BeSafe blog here.

In the car

When traveling by car, it is important to make sure that the baby car seat, car seat, or junior car seat is Compliant with EU safety standards. Follow the height and weight limits and buy the next size car seat when your child needs it. Before buying a new car seat, match the car seat to your car and your child to make sure of its fit and comfort. You can always come and get a car seat fitting in all Lastentarvike stores and at the same time we will give you instructions for the correct installation, or the car seat can be installed in your car for you.

P.S. Read from here (in Finnish) tips for buying a car seat and remember to always choose a car seat safety first.

Once the car seat issues have been taken care of, you can create more peace of mind for yourself with a variety of smart devices that alert you in the event of certain incidents. Smart devices work through an app that can be downloaded to your phone, which sends a warning message to your phone, for example if your child's temperature rises in the car seat.

• In Cybex car seats you can use a SensorSafe device, which is attached to the harness of the seat. The app warns if your child opens the harness, the car is too hot/cold, your child accidentally gets left in the car, or the child has been sitting too long.
• Axkid Connect is a sensor pad which is activated when the child sits on it. The sensor pad monitors temperature and sitting time, and sends a warning to your phone if the temperature is too high, the child has been accidentally left in the car, or has been sitting in the seat for too long. Axkid Connect is suitable for all types of car seats on the market.

When driving, always check that the safety harness is at a good height (a small incline means the height is ok) and tight enough (see from this video instructions on harness tightening). If, in spite of everything, the child is pulling out of the harness or the harness is dropping from the shoulders, try Belt Collector Belt Combiner. With these harnesses stay in good alignment and the child himself will not be able to get out of them.

Psst! Extra tip: Cover the harness opening button with your hand when you remove the harness and are about to take your child out of the harness. In this case, your child will not learn that “that button will open your harness” - which, at a certain age, might be a very attractive button to open.

With various accessories, you can increase your and your child's travel comfort and thus also safety - you will be able to concentrate on driving better when everyone is comfortable in the car. A Seat Cover with pockets will keep all loose toys and snacks in one place, so that in the event of a sudden stop, small items don't fly around inside the car. Baby Mirror - With the help of the baby mirror, you can see how your little one is doing, so that the child can travel safely rear-facing and you can keep sight of each other. Also remember to put sunscreens on car windows. Sun protection prevents sun glare while baby is sitting in the car and protects the sleeping child during the trip.

On the road with a pram or stroller

When using strollers, like any other baby care equipment, it is important to read the instructions for use and follow them. Our professional salespeople are able to advise on operating instructions, how to fold your stroller correctly, as well as the maintenance of strollers.

As is popular in the Nordic countries, many young children may sleep in the carriage for a nap in the wonderfully fresh open air. A baby sleeping in a stroller should be kept within hearing and vision distance. A baby monitor is a great tool for this. Get a cordless version so you can conveniently move it wherever your baby happens to be sleeping. Keep in mind, however, that you can't leave your child alone with only a baby monitor. Always remember to lock the brakes on your pram too!

Weather conditions should also be taken into account when the baby sleeps in the stroller. When the weather warms up, check that the child is not too hot in the stroller. Most wagons also provide enhanced ventilation with the help of ventilation holes or, for example, by opening the leg cover partially or completely. In our selection you will find parasols for strollers and prams, that protect the child from the sun's rays without obstructing ventilation. A canopy curtain can be used as sun protection, for example sideways, allowing it to protect from a certain angle against the sun, but not obstructing ventilation.

In the spring bugs and insects can bother your child while napping, so it's good to protect the carrycot and its precious cargo. An insect net is a great solution: it allows the child to sleep outside without bugs interfering with their sleep.

In darker seasons and night time, be sure to decorate your stroller with lights and reflective products. The day gets dark pretty quickly in the spring and autumn, not to mention winter, so it may be better to keep reflectors and other visibility-enhancing products attached to the stroller year-round - so you never get surprised by the dark.

Also remember the weight limits of the strollers. The carrycot should be taken out of use when your baby reaches the weight limit or when the baby begins to learn how to move (e.g. turning or kneeling). When using the stroller seat, always put the child in the stroller's safety harness. Also check the weight limits of the stroller basket and any side baskets or bags attached to the stroller, and follow the weight limits so that the stroller does not swing one way or the other, or tip over.

Outdoor activities with children

It is extremely important for children to use sunscreen, as the sun's rays are harsh on their sensitive skin. Repeated and prolonged exposure to the sun may result in, among other things, an increased risk of skin cancer in adulthood. A child's primary sun protection is being in the shade and UV clothing, that don't let the UV rays pass.
Also remember to protect your childs eyes with sunglasses. Sunglasses are necessary even in winter, as the snow reflects up to 80% of the sun's rays.

In the dark seasons it is worth remembering reflective products and lights for your child. There are many types of lights, reflectors, and reflective products, so there is sure to be a suitable one for every child and for every use: hanging, flashing LED, adhesive stickers, etc. Choose reflective products for your family and attach to strollers, prams, your kids' and your own clothes, shoes, daycare backpacks, and anything else you can think of. An easy choice for a child is a reflective vest or collar, that's easy to slip on.
A reflector is very small in size, but can be extremely important in traffic. With lights, reflectors and reflective products, you make yourself and your family visible to others in traffic!

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