Car Safety

Staying Safe on the Roads

Our OWL VFD fire and rescue volunteers respond to many automobile accidents each year. According to the CDC, 78% of Virginians wear seatbelts, as opposed to the national average of 86%. The number one thing you can do to increase your safety on the road is to buckle up; it’s the law for drivers and front-seat passengers. Check out our tips for ways to safe on the road, especially for children and teens.

Child Car Seats

We all know our children should be safely buckled into their car seats any time our vehicles are moving. However, are you certain your child is in the correct seat and properly buckled? Use our checklist to make sure the answer is “yes.”

• Children from birth to age 2-4 should be in a rear facing car seat, as long as their head falls one inch below the top of the car seat. If it’s too close to the top, it’s time for a forward-facing harness seat.
• Harness straps should always fall at or below a child’s shoulders.
• The chest clip should be buckled at armpit level.
• All straps should be snug.
• Children should wear thin layers in a car seat — no bulky coats. Cover them with their coat or a blanket on cold days instead.
• And always make sure your car seats are properly installed. Stop by the station or a county fire station for assistance!

Teen Driving Safety

Every parent fears the day they have to let their child loose on the road, right? Sadly, it can be with good reason, as there are so many distractions and opportunities for crashes. The CDC has identified eight “danger zones” for teens. Check them out, and empower your teen with knowledge and safety tips:

• Driver inexperience – Support your new driver by providing 30-50 hours of on-road practice over at least a six-month period.
• Driving with peer passengers – Follow state rules on this one and do not allow young passengers with new drivers.
• Nighttime driving – Have your teen home at an early hour, and be sure to practice nighttime driving, too, before they are driving on their own.
• Distracted driving – Don’t allow cell phone use, eating or other distractions while driving.
• Drowsy driving – Make sure your teen is always well rested before driving.
• Reckless driving – During that initial driving period, be sure to review rules of the road with your teen. Discuss following the speed limit and leaving plenty of space between them and fellow drivers.
• Impaired driving – You can reinforce your teen’s commitment to not drinking and driving by using the CDC’s agreement.

Stay safe out there!

Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department (OWL VFD) is one of the largest and busiest volunteer fire departments in the United States, with almost 300 members. OWL VFD provides fire suppression, EMS care and rescue services to 80,000 residents in our 27-square-mile area through the operation of three fire stations. OWL volunteer firefighters and EMT’s work the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift, five days a week, plus 24/7 holidays and weekends. For more information on OWL VFD, become a fan on our Facebook page here.