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CAR SAFETY FOR PETS
- Be sure to keep the dog's leash firmly in hand when loading and unloading the dog from the car. Always watch for traffic when loading and unloading your dog/pet.
- Always keep a current ID tag on your pet in case he manages to escape. Make sure the collar cannot slip off – if you can pull the collar over your dogs ears and head, he can easily slip out of it. The collar should be loose enough so as not to choke or make the dog uncomfortable but you should not be able to slip more than 2 (adult) fingers loosely under a collar. If so, the collar is too loose and can slip over and off the dogs head. Especially when traveling, it's important that the ID tag include an easily accessible number, such as your cell phone number and the # of another contact person.
- For safety, do not allow pets to ride in the front seat, no matter how much the pet enjoys it. Pets riding in the front seat can be thrown into the windshield if you have to make a sudden stop. It is distracting and dangerous if your pet jumps about your vehicle or climbs all over you while you drive. Your pet may fall down by the gas and brake pedals, causing an accident. Another reason to keep pets in the back seat or in a crate is that airbags can pose hazards to smaller people and pets. Air bags can launch out of the dashboard at a great enough force to severely injure a pet or small human. Some cars come with an on/off switch for the bags. Visit www.NHTSA.gov for details about switches as well as a list of dealers and repair businesses that install them. Air bags can be de-activated by a car dealer, but this could affect a vehicle warranty or insurance.
- Secure the pet in the car. An unrestrained pet can interfere with driving and become a hazardous projectile in the event of an accident or sudden stop, hitting the windshield, injuring a passenger or knocking the driver over (or out) resulting in loss of control of the car.
- Crates or sturdy pet carriers are an ideal way to restrain pets in cars. Stressed pets need a nice quiet place to rest and be alone at times. Secure the crate so it does not fly forward or flip in case of a sudden stop or accident.
- If your car does not allow room to set up a crate, obtain a dog seat belt, which doubles as a harness, available in many pet supply stores and mail order catalogs.
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