Safety First

You can childproof your car in just a few steps. First, get your toddler a car safety seat to keep her comfy, yet strapped in securely. It also protects the baby from the bumps on the road.

"We have been using a car safety seat for our daughter who is just a year old. It is a good way to keep her safe and our minds tension free," say Mahima Mehra, a housewife in Mumbai.

It can be attached to the back of the rear seat with the help of seat belts. Most cars in India come with seat belts for the rear seats. In case your car doesn't, then install seatbelts immediately.

Never attach the baby seat to the front seat. In case of a sudden jerk, your baby could hurt herself on the dashboard. Also, an air bag, when activated, could injure your child.

Always strap the safety seat onto the middle-rear seat. This leaves buffer space and protects the child in case of side collisions or glass breakage.

Choose a car seat that suits your child's needs. In India, you can choose between:

• Rear facing car seats that are best for infants up to about six months.
  
  
• Front facing car seats that are suitable for children between six months to 10 years.
  
  
• Front and rear facing seats that ideal can be used from birth up to the age of 10 years.

"Car safety for children is mandatory in European countries. Unfortunately, it is not so in India," says Rajeev Nair, Business Head, Mothercare, India. With international brands like Mothercare stepping into the Indian market, more parents have started are beginning to take car safety measures while travelling.

Various child care and kids' stores across the country offer several imported brands of baby car seats. The prices range between Rs. 4,000 to Rs.12,000. The brands available at some of the stores in India are Kids At Home (Delhi, Ahmedabad, Gurgaon), Me and Mom (Mumbai, Pune, Surat) and Mothercare.