Part of maintaining your vehicle is keeping its safety devices in good working order, especially when there are kids in the vehicle. Seat belts, window locks, and airbag sensors work together to keep children safe in an automobile. Though safety components are generally very reliable, they do occasionally fail. D & E Service Center in Andover, NJ is here when they do; here are some things to watch out for.
Windows Window locks are an important part of keeping your kids safe. The window lock switch is generally found on the driver’s door, and like window switches, they sometimes fail. Yours needs to be in good working order if there are kids in the vehicle...once children figure out how to operate an electric window, they seem to enjoy playing with them. While this is certainly fun for them, it increases the risk of pinched fingers, items dropped out the window, or even a child trying to climb out of the vehicle, plus it’s a huge distraction to the driver. Your window locks are important for both safety and peace of mind when you have kids in the vehicle.
Airbags When it comes to airbags, there are a lot of conflicting opinions on what is best for child safety. The owner’s manual for your vehicle will provide specifics on how your airbag system operates and the safest way to transport children of any age in your specific vehicle. Generally, however, if you have an airbag warning light illuminated on your dash, you need to get it serviced. Failure of sensors that deactivate certain airbags when kids are in certain seats can be extremely dangerous for children in the event of a vehicle accident. The importance of having your vehicle thoroughly examined when an airbag light comes on cannot be overstated.
Seat Belts Seat belts are obviously extremely important safety devices. Though they are quite reliable, kids do have a tendency to get things sticky, especially in the vehicle. A seatbelt that doesn’t buckle and unbuckle easily, or retract correctly, needs to be fixed. It’s possible that a seatbelt won’t work correctly in an accident if it doesn’t always operate smoothly and correctly. Internal parts need to be cleaned or replaced if a seatbelt doesn’t work exactly as it’s supposed to. A spilled soda or crumbs in the wrong place can affect the safety of your child, and it’s important to pay attention to the operation of all seatbelts in a vehicle.
At D & E Service Center, we understand that children sometimes cause unexpected and unpredictable issues with your vehicle. If you notice something like a seatbelt that doesn’t work correctly, a seat or seatback that won’t stay in place, a window, lock, or door handle that doesn’t work the way it should, or anything else that you think needs attention, let us know. One of our mechanics will be happy to take a look and maintain a safe environment for you and your kids while on the road. Call or come see us at any time!
