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How can I prepare the
car to provide a better trip for my children?
Do we all have to wear our seatbelts?
Should I use car seats?
Do I have to bring my car seat if I am planning
on renting a car?
Can I leave my child in the car while I
run into the store?
What should I consider before taking the
scenic route?
How can I make our time together in the
car more enjoyable for everyone?
What snacks should I bring for the road
trip?
Where is a good place to take a break on
a road trip?
How can I find information on road conditions,
construction and rest areas?
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How can I prepare the car to
provide a better trip for my children?
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A clean car will make everyone more comfortable.
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Try to remove any odors that will bother
noses. Be careful not to over scent to cover old odors, you
may just pick new annoying ones. Check the back seat ashtray
for ashes.
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Fill the car up before you pack everyone
in. A gas stop will delay your trip and gas fumes can upset
little noses.
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Do we all have to wear our seatbelts?
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Most states have passed mandatory seatbelt
laws for the driver of the car.
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In many states, such as Florida, both passengers
in the front seats are required to wear seatbelts, regardless
of age.
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Not wearing a seatbelt could be a violation
of your personal automobile insurance policy.
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Should I use car seats?
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Yes, use car seats and put your kids in
the backseat.
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In Florida, as well as most U.S. States,
children three and under must be secured in a child seat that
meets Federal safety standards.
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Some states may require even older children
to be placed in car seats, and you’ll be held accountable to
the laws of whichever state you are traveling.
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If you have an infant seat, be sure to see
that it is balanced properly. Most have a level so they can
be balanced to avoid choking.
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Do I have to bring my car seat
if I am planning on renting a car?
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Many major rental car companies have child
seats available for rent, check with your company about cost
and availability.
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Many Rental Car companies do not carry booster
seats. You may want to check and see if you need to bring your
own.
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Can I leave my child in the
car while I run into the store?
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State laws vary, but under Florida Law you
may not leave a child unattended or unsupervised in a motor
vehicle if the vehicle is running or if the health of the child
is in danger. Also, you may not leave a child under six years
of age, unattended or unsupervised for a period of time in excess
of 15 minutes. Since you must turn the car off and that will
mean no air-conditioning, you may end up risking the health
of your child in much sooner than 15 minutes.
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It is best to avoid leaving your child unattended
or unsupervised in the car for any period of time.
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What should I consider before
taking the scenic route?
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The adult’s idea of scenic, might be the
idea of boring for your children.
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The scenic route might not be the best route
for the youngest travelers. They may be strapped in and too
short to see much out the windows.
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The scenic route will usually have more
curvy roads making carsickness more likely.
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This route is also usually the longest and
may stress your child even more with the length of an already
long trip.
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How can I make our time together
in the car more enjoyable for everyone?
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Check out the route, know what roads you
are planning on taking and find out if you need to avoid any
road construction so you can avoid unnecessary delays.
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Find some areas to take breaks along the
way so your trip is less tiresome.
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Play games in the car to help shorten the
trip. Hunt for different license plate numbers, see who can
add up license plate numbers of the cars that pass you the quickest.
Kids get a head start since they are in the backseat. Play "I
spy". See who can find the most out of state license plates.
See who can find the most models of cars.
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Bring along games or toys to help shorten
the ride. Avoid items with lots of small pieces.
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You might also consider small prizes or
presents at regular intervals along the trip. New toys often
receive the most interest and will help keep your child occupied.
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If your children are old enough, give them
a map of their own. Have them keep track of your progress by
making them the navigator.
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Schedule a quiet time for everyone in the
car to enjoy. But, enforce the rules so adults are included
and must also obey this rule.
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Buy some new interesting audio books for
a story time while on the trip.
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If your music interests are vastly different
than your children’s, you might consider getting them a portable
CD or tape player and bring lots of batteries. But, agree in
advance about its usage times.
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Take advantage of this time together and
talk to your kids.
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Wake up sleepers a few minutes before you
arrive at stops. This will give them time to adjust and be ready
to get out as soon as the car stops.
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What snacks should I bring for
the road trip?
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Bring along plenty of water and munchies
in the car. It will be much cheaper to buy these at the grocery
store than pay the convenience store prices. It might also save
you some extra stops.
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Sticking to water will be much easier on
your body than drinking lots of cola. Remember to avoid large
amounts of caffeine. Caffeine can wear on your nerves. If the
driver needs large amounts of caffeine to stay awake then it’s
time to pull over for the night.
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Have the adults keep control of the munchies
so mealtimes aren’t ruined.
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You don’t want to get yourself sick with
all the junk food along the roadside, so you might want to consider
eating a healthy meal or at least bring some healthy snacks.
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If it has ever made them sick at home, there
seems to be a guarantee that it will make them sick on the road.
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Where is a good place to take
a break on a road trip?
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Now, after talking about eating healthy,
remember that some of the fast-food restaurants now have play
areas. McDonald’s and Burger King both are offering free play
areas at many of their restaurants. These can be a good place
to stretch those legs and burn off some energy along the road.
The adults can take their time eating without the little ones
getting fidgety at the table.
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Be careful when using rest stops along the
road. Pass them up if they aren’t well lit or seem unsafe. Remember
to lock your car doors when you go inside. Since many rest stops
suffer from criminal activity, you should always accompany your
children into the restroom at a rest stop.
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Well-lit, busy gas stations can provide
a safe place to take a quick break.
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Truck stops are designed to provide a safe
place to take a break. Just be warned that you can run into
some inappropriate adult items in their gift shops.
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How can I find information on
road conditions, construction and rest areas?
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Go To: Department
of Transportation Links
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Check out the roads before you go. This page
contains links to the Departments of Transportation for all 50
States. Each state’s site is different, but most sites contained
detailed information on highway construction, road closings, rest
areas and maps. Many of the sites also contain links to major
cities within their own state.
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Section: TRAVELING BY AIR
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