With the mid-year school holidays having just started, families are preparing for those long drives ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeeping the children safe and entertained is an important part of the trip,\u201d said Dewald Ranft, chairperson of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), an affiliate association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI).<\/p>
He said it is essential when travelling with young children to ensure that car seats are properly secured.<\/p>\n
Statistics show that up to 70 per cent of car seats are incorrectly installed.<\/p>
Parents must also ensure that the seat is the age-appropriate size and children who are big enough to use the normal seat belts are buckled in at all times.<\/p>\n
\u201cChildren, especially toddlers, get fidgety when sitting still for more than two hours.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important to stop at regular intervals to give everyone a chance to stretch their legs and refuel for the next leg.<\/p>\n
\u201cTry to pick pit-stops with fun activities for children such as jungle gyms.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis gives them a chance to work off some energy without distracting mom or dad while they drive,\u201d Ranft said.<\/p>\n
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ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Get fuel efficient and maintain your car for less, says MIWA<\/a><\/p>\n Safety tips for parking your vehicle<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Making sure the car is in tip-top condition ahead of the drive also needs to be a priority.<\/p>\n Ranft recommended heading to a MIWA-accredited workshop to have the car checked a week or so before departing.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t leave the service until the last minute as you may need new parts that need to be ordered and could take a few days,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He also reminded drivers that every car should contain a breakdown kit with a flashlight in the event of an accident or breakdown after dark, and a fully charged phone for communication during emergencies.<\/p>\n Dealing with bored and grumpy children on a road trip can be challenging, so Ranft offers these helpful tips for happy, safe journeys:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n