Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)

Social Media Toolkit

Car Safety

With summer in full swing and families on the move, keeping kids safe in and around cars is necessary for a fun filled summer. This month we are providing some tools and resources to share with parents and the community to help keep Texas kids safe this summer! This toolkit includes information on:

Car seats and Seat Belts
Driveway and Parking Lot Safety
Hot Car Safety Tips
Teen Drivers

The goal of this Toolkit is to help spread awareness and provide information for Texans as we enter hotter summer months. The social media posts below with nested bulleted lists and are meant to be posted as a carousel.

Social Media Posts

Hashtags: #HotCars #HotCarSafety #ChildSafety #BabySafety #CarSafety #HeatStroke #HeatSafety #TexasHeat #GetParentingTips #ParentingTips #Parenting #TexasParents #TexasFamilies #TexasKids #TexasBabies #TexasToddlers

Week One:

Car seats and safety belts save lives! Make sure to follow the recommended guidelines for safety seats and don’t forget to make sure every passenger buckles up before you drive off!
- Infants and Toddlers: should ride a rear-facing car seat in the back seat until they outgrow the high or weight limits.
- Toddlers and Preschoolers: can ride in a forward-facing car seat with a 5-point harness in the back seat.
For more information visit: https://tinyurl.com/KidsCarSafety
Are you wondering if it’s time to move to the next type of car seat? Not sure when you should? Check out Safe Kids for tips: https://tinyurl.com/SKCarSeat
Check out Safe Kids Texas to find a car seat inspection station in your area.
- https://tinyurl.com/SKCarSeat
Getting your child buckled into their car seat is equally important and can sometimes feel daunting. Here are three tips to make the process go smoother:
- Give everyone a few minutes to prepare and avoid rushing to the car.
- Give older children a chance to buckle themselves while you walk them through the process.
- Demonstrate buckling yourself in before you start the car.
Did you know that you need to replace a car seat if your car is in a wreck, even a minor one? The car seat may be damaged, even if you can’t see it!

Week Two:

Did you know that many accidents occur in driveways and parking lots? Here are some tips for keeping kids safe around cars: https://tinyurl.com/KidsCarSafety
Children love to explore and hide, and sometimes they slip away before you know it. Make sure car keys are kept out of reach of children so they can’t accidentally lock themselves into a hot car. For more tips visit: https://tinyurl.com/KidsCarSafety
Driveways and parking lots are potential risks for children’s safety. Don't allow children to play on the driveway without adult supervision and always hold your child’s hand in a parking lot. It’s hard for drivers to see small children when backing up! For more tips visit: https://tinyurl.com/KidsCarSafety
Making a habit of walking all the way around your vehicle and scanning for children before you move the vehicle eliminates fatal accidents. If you see or hear children, make sure they have adult supervision, and the adult is aware you're starting the vehicle. For more tips visit: https://tinyurl.com/KidsCarSafety

Week Three:

Texas heat is ramping up, and when it does, so do hot car related injuries and deaths. Temperatures as low as 57 degrees can be dangerous. Always LOOK before you LOCK to be sure your car is clear.
- https://tinyurl.com/KidsCarSafety
Texas heat is rising! Always LOOK before you LOCK to be sure everyone, including pets, is out of the car. Try these tips to help protect your child from hot cars:
- Make it a habit for everyone to get out of the car, even if you're only stopping for a moment.
- Create reminders for yourself, such as putting your purse or phone in the back seat safely away from your child and keeping the diaper bag in the front seat beside you.
- If someone else drives your child, check in by phone or text to make sure your child arrives safely.
Learn more at: https://tinyurl.com/KidsCarSafety
Did you know the National Safety Council offers a free online course about the danger of vehicular heatstroke and children, along with other safety preventions? Take the free training at: carseateducation.org
Did you know the National Safety Council offers a free online course in Spanish about the danger of vehicular heatstroke and children, along with other safety preventions? Take the free training at: carseateducation.org

Week Four:

Did your teen just get their license? Exciting times! Make sure to remind your new driver to always do these four things:
- Make sure everyone is wearing a seat belt
- Only have one passenger at a time
- Put away their phone—no exceptions
- Never drive after drinking alcohol or taking any drug that affects their reflexes
Learn more at: https://tinyurl.com/ZonesOfTeenDriving
Help your teen be a safe driver by creating a parent-teen driving agreement. Do it before he ever starts driving. Here’s an example of one you can use: https://tinyurl.com/TeenDrivingAgreementDFPS
Many teen drivers make mistakes they could have avoided. Learn about the 8 Danger Zones of Teen Driving: https://tinyurl.com/ZonesOfTeenDriving
Have you heard of a car emergency kit? This includes first aid, water, nonperishable snacks, a flashlight, a blanket, a small amount of cash, and other helpful items needed in case of an emergency. Learn more at: https://tinyurl.com/ZonesOfTeenDriving