Tips for enjoying family road trips

Although family vacations are supposed to be fun, all too often the family arrives at its destination in anything but a good mood. Mom and Dad have frazzled nerves, the children are cranky and crying and tempers all around are at the boiling point.

Traveling with your children, however, doesn't have to be a traumatic experience. Believe it or not, it is possible to take a vacation trip where everyone has a good time getting there. All you have to do experience this automotive nirvana is to keep the children's comfort, amusement and safety in mind as you make your travel plans. Here are a few tips that should make your car vacation a lot more enjoyable for the whole family.

Safety first
Whether you are taking a trip to the nearest state park or making a cross-country journey, the safety of the driver and passengers should always be your number one consideration. Before starting out on your trip, have your mechanic give your vehicle the once-over to make sure it is in tip-top condition. Make sure the exhaust system doesn't leak, that the tires and brakes are in good condition and all exterior lights are functioning properly.

Next, make sure you have the proper seating accommodation for all family members. While adults and teens can simply sit down and fasten their seatbelts, smaller children will need a child safety seat or a booster seat, depending upon their age. Also, make sure that everyone wears a seatbelt at all times.

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One of the problems with traveling with smaller children is that they will fiddle with the door and window controls. Most 4-door sedans, wagons, and minivans have childproof locks built into the rear door edges. Once activated, the passenger doors can only be opened from the outside. On vehicles not so equipped, you can secure the doors by having lever-type handles and window cranks removed and the protruding shaft capped. Electrically operated locks and windows can almost always be locked at the master control switch.

Bulky, heavy and sharp items should be stored in the luggage compartment, not in the seating area. If you own a wagon, minivan, SUV or hatchback, the luggage area is open to the passenger compartment so use a safety grate or restraining net to keep luggage from flying forward during sudden stops. In sedans, don't put objects on the shelf behind the rear seat; they block the driver's vision and become deadly missiles during emergency stops.

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