Car Safety

Although I always like to keep things positive in Mikey’s Journal, one of the ways I keep Michael safe is to think through potentially difficult situations ahead of time.  If I have a way to prevent danger in the first place, great! If not, do I have a plan in case the worst happens? Today’s Saturday Suggestion gives you a bit of both.

Michael uses a buckle guard in the car.  The guard goes over the seatbelt and blocks access to the red release button except with a key (basically any key will work). He is good about buckling his seatbelt and staying buckled, but once he did become upset while I was parking the car and he unbuckled himself while the car was moving (no one was in any real danger). I use the buckle guard to make sure I can focus on safely driving the car and not worry about Michael while the car is moving.  Once I park, I hand him the key and he unbuckles himself.  

In addition, he is seated in the back seat, passenger side so that he would not ever be able to reach me while I am driving, no matter how upset he became. Those two steps, choosing a safe seat for your child and using a buckle guard are my two suggestions for an ounce of prevention.

An Accident

What if we were to get into an accident and I was knocked unconscious? I use the stickers on the car window to alert first responders that Michael is locked into his seatbelt and that he may not be responsive if he is scared and startled. Michael also has a seatbelt cover that reminds first responders of his autism just in case the window is broken or the sticker not readable for any reason.

This gives them the information they need to help him in a terrifying moment.