TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Going on a trip with the whole family is an exciting way to spend on the weekend. By bringing your children along will surely make the journey livelier, but also a heart-pounding experience at the same time. Parents have to make sure their children's safety along the way, and you cannot continuously watch your children while you are driving. These following five points are the things that will ensure your children's safety in cars during road trip:

1. Seat Belt

Simple, yet critical. There are still parents out there who ignore this safety device. In 2011, 52 percent of victims in accidents who experience fatal wounds were those who did not put their seat belt on. Forty-two percent of those victims were children.

2. Luggage

Too many luggages can be dangerous. Fatal things could happen when you suddenly have to hit the brake, making the bags thrown into the front seat. Make sure you put your luggage in the car's baggage and arrange them properly.

3. Infant Seat

It is strongly suggested for families with children to own a special safety children seat. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 75 percent of the infant seats are not installed properly on car seats.

Parents must adjust the safety seat according to the child's body weight and height. Do not move your child into the front seat in a hurry, as this could distract your focus on driving and endangering the whole family instead.

4. Do not Text Message

Do not check your cell phones right away when you hear it ringing. Activating the cell's silent mode or keeping it away from your seat is actually better. Driving while texting or making calls could easily endanger your whole family in an instant.

5. Do not Ever Leave Children In the Car

Never ever leave your children alone inside the car without an adult. This year alone, 24 children were reported dead in their cars due to having suffocation because of extremely hot weather.

Children's safety is their parents' responsibility. To minimize any harm that could happen along the way, parents are advisable to take more precaution steps to avoid risks that could endanger their children.

RINDU P HESTYA | CONSUMER REPOST