Thompson Sales Advice: Baby-Proofing Your Car

Congratulations! Your new baby is on the way. If this is your first child, you might not be aware of things to consider when ensuring that your vehicle is equipped to carry your new precious cargo. Thompson Sales is here to help. 

Vehicle Maintenance

While maintenance is always crucial, now is an especially important time to make sure that your vehicle is running safely and efficiently. You don’t need the added worry, inconvenience, and possible safety issues by your car not starting or breaking down with your new baby on board.  Here is where Thompson Sales comes in handy. As a dealer of both new and certified pre-owned vehicles, Thompson Sales has professionally trained technicians that can go through a detailed checklist to ensure that your car is dependable. 

Car Seats and What To Know

Car seats are probably the first thing you think about when getting your car ready for your new arrival. However, according to SaferCar.gov, a resource of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, consumers are not fully educated on proper car seat installation and use. 

New or Used?

For starters, if at all possible, please purchase a new car seat. Just like with cars, you don’t know what type of damage the seat may have incurred. Also, although not common knowledge, there are expirations on car seats.

Fit and Placement

Your car seat cannot properly protect your baby if it is not installed correctly. Rule number one is that the seat must be “rear facing” and you need to keep a cushion of space around it to act a buffer in the event of an impact. Remember the “one-inch rule” when fastening the belt. It should be firmly in place with no more than an inch of movement either forward-to-back or side-to-side. Also, make sure that the harness clip is even with your child’s armpits. Another common mistake is not installing the seat at the proper angle. Be sure to refer to the manufacturing instructions to get the correct angle of installation so that your child is properly cradled in the event of an accident.

Get Your Vehicle Clean, Organized and Equipped with the Essentials 

If you have had issues with keeping your car clean and organized before, be prepared to ramp up! Start with a good interior cleaning to avoid any health-related issues. You will need to have quick and easy access to all your baby items such as bottles, baby wipes, pacifiers, toys and your other favorite travel essentials. There are storage products that can attach to the back of a car seat to hold your essentials safely for quick retrieval. 

How Can Thompson Sales Help?

We know you have a million things to take care of before your new baby arrives. 
As the leading GMC dealer in Missouri, Thompson Sales is positioned to help you address all of your safety concerns before the big day arrives. Please stop by Thompson Sales today and let’s get started, or give us a call at (417) 763-6811.