By Nnamdi Ikeh-Akabogu (FRSCN)
A child safety lock is a special-purpose SAFETY lock for windows and doors in a vehicle that is designed to help prevent children from getting involved in a crash due to the sudden opening of rear doors and windows.
Young children are naturally curious about their surroundings and will always explore, but as they may be unaware of dangerous substances or situations, the results can be fatal.
Child safety locks are built into the rear doors of most cars to prevent rear seat passengers from opening the doors both during transit and while the vehicle is stationary.
They provide the vehicle driver with a simple, safe and secure method to prevent unauthorized exit from the car.
Before you make the last-minute run into town to pick up supplies, it may be a good idea to become familiar with the child safety lock in your car.
Every parent knows that children are prone to becoming restless, particularly when travelling in the back seat, so it’s not best to err on the side of caution and activate the child lock in your car.
Child safety locks tend to be built into the rear doors of most cars and are used to prevent rear seat passengers, particularly little ones, from opening the doors both during transit and while the vehicle is stationary.
They’re generally easy to activate, once you know how to. Most child car locks can be activated via a small switch on the edge of the door that is only accessible when the door is open.
Every car is different and some cars implement the child lock control as a rotary mechanism which can only be operated with a key.
In some newer models, the child lock can be activated electronically from the driver position via a door control unit. It’s best to dig out your car manual from the glove compartment and familiarise yourself with the child safety features in your own car.
It only takes a couple of minutes and will give you that extra peace of mind, especially if you take a number of kids to school.
You may think your child can’t reach the door handle while straitjacketed into a child-safety seat, but before you’re proven wrong by a toddler popping open the car door while you’re driving, be smart and check that your car’s child-safety door locks are engaged. Do it before you need it!
The traffic expert is DCC Nnamdi Ikeh-Akabogu, DCC Morning and Evaluation (M&E), Special Duties and External Relations (SEDER), FRCC HQ, Abuja.
