Stay safe and warm: Coats and car seats are a dangerous combination

Cold weather has arrived across the state and with the falling temps, everyone is reaching for their coats for warmth and protection from the elements.

When it comes to bundling children up for a car ride, extra caution needs to be considered for any child who uses a car seat. That bulky coat, which was meant to protect them from the cold, could actually put their life at risk inside the car seat.

As a rule, coats shouldn’t be worn under a safety harness. They take up too much room and can allow for extra space between the child’s body and the safety restraint system of the seat. Use the graphic below for some suggestions for how your child can stay safe and warm while traveling.

Tire Safety in the Summer

Summer is a great time for traveling.  It’s important to maintain safe tires to ensure safe travels, and having the right tire type for the summer months is essential.
There are three types of tires: snow/winter, summer and all-season. Be mindful of what type of tire is on your vehicle to ensure proper motor care.

Summer tires are a great option for safe and efficient driving in the warmer months. 

• The tread on summer tires offers smooth and soundless rides in dry or wet environments.
• Summer tires also have harder compound then snow tires which gives them a good grip in dry and wet weather conditions.

All-season tires are a great option for those in moderate climates

• They can be used for all driving conditions
• Provides traction in regular winter driving conditions but not as well as snow tires, which should be used in severe winter weather operates well in warmer weather but with less grip then a summer tire.

 
Research and find out what tires work best and offer the most comfortable and long-lasting rides to carry you through all your summer travels.
 

Another important aspect of summer tire safety is maintaining one’s tires through proper tire care.

Here are a few tips for motorists on keeping tires in their best traveling condition:

Check Tire Air Pressure

• An important aspect of tire safety is checking the air pressure of your tires and making sure all tires are properly inflated. The pressure of each tire should be checked at least once a month, depending on frequency of travel. 
• To check the pressure of your tire, remove tire cap and press a tire gauge on it, there may be a slight puff of air, read the air pressure number and then secure the cap on again.

Check the Wear on Tread

• To examine the tread on your tires for wear use an upside-down penny and place it between the tire grooves. If the top of Lincoln’s head is showing then it means the tread is worn and it’s time to replace your tires.

 

The penny test: The top of Lincoln's head is slightly covered by the tread on this tire.
The tread is then considered to be in good condition.

Wheel Rotation

• Rotating your tires regularly ensures that the tire rubber won’t wear out as quickly. Always be mindful of the condition of tires and make sure the rubber on the tires is safe and stable.

Check out the video below on some great summer driving tips.

  
Keep a Spare Tire in Your Car

• Always keep a spare tire in your car in case of potential flat tires. To maintain safety when changing tires, it’s important to educate yourself on how-to properly change flat tires along roadside.
• Things you’ll need are, a spare tire, lug wrench, jack and bricks or rocks. To see how a tire is changed, check out the video below.

If you are stuck on the side of the road and need additional help, contact Motorist Assist, which is a program dedicated to helping motorist stranded on roadways. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, The Motorist Assistance Program covers four metro areas in Kansas: Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita and Salina. KDOT supports this program, and both agencies work together to prevent additional travel impediments, as a result of roadside emergencies, and keep travelers safe.

 Each service vehicle is staffed by a Kansas Highway Patrol civilian employee. You can contact the Motorist Assist Program by dialing *47 to reach the Kansas Highway Patrol *KTA (582) while on the Kansas Turnpike

Remember to give all emergency vehicles and workers room. Move over or slow down when you see flashing lights or sirens.

Thanksgiving travel tips

Family, friends and food are great reasons for anyone to take to the road during the Thanksgiving holiday. Studies show that this is the busiest travel time of the year. In order to make it to the dinner table on time, make sure you are prepared by following these tips:

If your destination is far away, make sure that your vehicle is safe to drive. Have the vehicle’s fluids, windshield wipers and tires inspected prior to hitting the road.

Watch the skies. Bad weather can hit suddenly in parts of the country. Take caution when traveling in inclement weather.

Know where you are going before you leave.  Don’t rely solely on GPS.   Print out maps and directions, GPS service may become intermittent and having a backup is never a bad idea.

Make sure everyone is buckled in safely.

Keep your cell phone charged at all times in case of emergencies. If it is not being used for directions, make sure it is safely tucked away. Distracted driving can ruin your dinner plans.

Have an emergency kit handy. Make sure the contents include:

• Battery powered Rradio
• Flashlight
• Blankets for everyone in your car
• Jumper cables
• Fire extinguisher
• First aid kit
• Bottled water
• Snacks
• Maps
• Tire repair kit

Don’t drink and drive and know your limits. If you are tired, upset or ill it is not a good idea to drive. Take a break if needed.

Give yourself extra time to make it to your destination. More travelers on the road mean more traffic congestion. Be patient, the winter holidays are right around the corner and no one appreciates a Grinch.

For up-to-date road conditions check out kandrive.org