Safety and the Pedal Ride On Car - Seriously?

So what's all this talk about safety and pedal cars? I mean how bad can it get? It's not like you're out there in traffic bumper to bumper on the way to Kindergarten.

Well, think of this; let's suppose that your youngster rounds the corner to the right and is momentarily distracted by something and next thing he knows he is plummeting down the hill heading towards a busy intersection. Do you still think that safety might not be important?

Pedal cars have no direct brake system and are only slowed by the child's direct leg action, so it should be important that he knows how to steer the vehicle away from danger and into something safe, like a bush. Ideally, pedal car toys and all ride on toys should only be operated on flat surfaces. Also, while we are on the subject of flat areas, keep them away from pools, if the child is in the car and falls into a pool it may be impossible for him or her to free themselves from the vehicle. You should also keep them away from roads and driveways since they are too low to the ground to see and might get them run over. Adult supervision is very important as the pedal car is a toy, not a parental substitute.

Remember that when it comes to children, they are fearless; there is neither hill too high nor anything too fast that a child will not attempt it. No fear is a statement that more than applies to children. They have no concept at this age of cause and effect. So they don't know that if they start down that hill and go as fast as they can, which is exhilarating at the time that the effect may end up with bleeding hands or knees due to the inevitable crash. That is why mom and dad have to be fastidious at instilling a sense of importance and attention to safety at a young age.

Remember, these are the formative years and the lessons they learn here will overlap as they become teens and start driving the family car.

NEVER push the pedal car while your child it inside, the little legs can only go so fast and you are likely to cause them harm by getting it moving faster than they can pedal.

While we're on the subject, loose clothing is a no-no. It can get caught in the pedals and before you know it the child is injured in a senseless accident.

As a parent it is also up to you to make sure your little one is safe from not only the pedal car issues but remember he or she is out of doors and as such need sunscreen, water, light colored light weight clothing. They are going to be vigorous and need to drink fluids and don't forget to pull them off for rest periods from time to time. They will be excited and might forget that resting is part of playing.