Introduction

Parents want to keep their children as safe as possible at all times, particularly when relocating. However, how should you ensure vehicle safety when moving to your new home and using a rental truck? Is it acceptable to use a child's car seat in a rental truck? This concern may be foremost in the minds of parents and for good reasons.

According to Kidsafe.com.au, each year, more than 150 Australian children (aged 0-14 years) are killed, and more than 68,000 are hospitalised because of unintentional injuries. Most of those accidents would be preventable by simple preventive measures. Unfortunately, children involved in automobile incidents make up a great proportion of these child injuries. Unintentional injuries account for approximately 88% of injury-related deaths in minors and approximately 97% of injury-related hospitalisations.

You must adhere to specific car seat safety guidelines to keep your child secure on the road during your upcoming move. Please continue reading if you are concerned about using child car seats in rental trucks and tips to make your moving day run smoothly.

Should children travel in rental trucks?

Certain child restraint requirements must be observed when travelling with infants or children in a rental truck. It is crucial, for the safety of infants and children, that service providers, drivers, and passengers grasp and comply with these requirements, as they vary between taxis and rental vehicles.

All Australian States mandate that infants and young children travel in car or booster seats in the back seat and adhere to state safety laws. Requirements based on age, weight, and height differ from state to state. Determining your state's specific rules and requirements regarding minor passenger safety is crucial.

While most removalists, including Upmove, do not prohibit children from travelling in their trucks, they will advise you to adhere to state safety laws.

According to VicRoads, the safest place to install a child car seat is in the back seat using the vehicle's LATCH system. Or use seatbelts if there is no LATCH system in the car, van, SUV, or extended-cab pickup truck. Since most truck rentals don't have back seats and LATCH systems are not standard equipment for moving trucks, they are not the best option for transporting small children.

Can you put a car seat in an Upmove rental truck?

No. Unfortunately, Upmove dedicated rental trucks are not equipped with back seats. Due to the lack of back seating, it's not a secure mode of transportation for infants and young children. The primary focus for parents should consistently revolve around ensuring the safety of their children.

However, our rental trucks have airbags and seatbelts, making them secure for adults. Upmove suggests transporting your infant or child in a distinct vehicle from the rented truck for moving with the kid's safety in mind.

Learn about important child car seat guidelines

According to Child Car Seats, legal requirements for the correct child car seats for children's age and size mandate that all children must be properly secured in an age- and size-appropriate car seat. A child who is adequately restrained in an approved child safety seat has a lower risk of injury or death in the event of a car accident than one who is not.

Source: https://www.childcarseats.com.au/legal-requirements

If you are a parent, we advise that you adhere to the Australian child restraint laws when transporting your child in any form of fast- or slow-moving vehicle.

Using the correct car seat for infants and young children ages one to twelve is imperative. Never position a child safety seat in the front passenger seat of a vehicle. Additionally, infant and juvenile car seats should be installed in the rear-facing position to restrict injury or accidents. When the child outgrows the rear-facing seat, they should be placed in a forward-facing seat with a restraint and tether. The child should outlive their forward-facing car seat between the ages of 4 and 7. Approximately at this age, they can switch to a booster seat.

Children should use booster seats until they can fit seat belts. This means the lap belt should fit snugly over the upper thighs, not the stomach. It is recommended that the shoulder belt should fit snugly across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face. Children should sit in the back seat, whether in a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt.

Safer alternatives for transporting children than using a car seat in a rental truck

Car seat laws, like many other laws, are quite complicated. They vary based on factors such as the age, height, and weight of your child, and the legality of a particular item may also depend on the type of vehicle you drive. And they tend to be especially difficult when dealing with rental trucks or taxis. Even if you cannot fit a car seat or booster seat in the rental truck, there are other options for transporting your child.

In light of this, Upmove has compiled this list of safer infant car seat options and the safest solutions for each mode of transportation.

1. Drive a second car - You can always ask a friend or family member to drive the rented truck while you take the youngster with you in a separate vehicle and drive it yourself.

2. Use moving containers to transport the contents of your household - Moving the contents of a household over a long distance is not a simple task. You can take advantage of a hybrid moving service that is both inexpensive and do-it-yourself friendly. You will be responsible for loading and unloading the container, while the removalists will transport the goods to your new home.

3. Hire professional local movers- Using removalists like Upmove is a more convenient way to move with children because it eliminates the need to fret about stowing car seats. We are a moving service in which you can do the packing and loading if it is your wish, and we manage the driving so that your family can travel safely and comfortably in their own vehicle.

4. If you must take your child in a rental truck - If you are travelling alone and must transport your child in a rental truck, you should adhere to the state guidelines for transporting children. Remember:

• Airbags can cause serious injuries to kids.
• Many rental trucks will not have the option to disable the airbags, so you should clarify with the rental company which features are available on each truck.
• Ensure that all safety seats are correctly placed and the car seat is as far away from the dashboard as possible.
• If you are uncertain, you can also visit your local police or fire station for a child safety seat installation inspection.

5. Find a sitter – If you're not moving a long way, find a trustworthy sitter to look after your baby or child while you do the moving.

6. Make it an adventure:

• Provide entertainment.
• Unpack the baby's room or nursery first.
• Invite the grandparents for some babysitting help.
• Babies and toddlers are quite mobile because they prioritise their families. It's fine if all The Important People are coming too. However, routine and predictability are critical.
• You can find further advice about moving with a baby or a small child here.

Try not to transport your child in a truck rental

Most, if not all, truck rental companies advise families moving an infant, toddler, or small child to drive their own vehicle. While many rental trucks are equipped with airbags and deemed secure for adults, they may not meet safety standards for car seats. Furthermore, as is required for car seats, many truck rentals are only equipped with two or three bucket seats in the front rather than in the rear.

At Upmove, we facilitate your moving process as much as we can. Our goal is to make your house relocation simple. We understand that moving house with kids is not easy. We hope that if you follow the tips we have included in this article, you will find it bearable and even enjoyable.

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