Children should be prepared for road trip emergencies

People who are planning summer road trips need to be prepared for any type of emergency that may present itself - especially if they are going to be riding with children.

With that in mind, it is helpful for parents to go over some basic safety procedures with their children in order to be safe.

Young passengers particularly need to be aware of the importance of wearing a seatbelt - especially since they could be at grave risk of injury in the event of an accident or tire blowout. Children also need to know the importance of staying close to their parent at all times if they are forced to leave their car on the side of the road. They should also avoid straying too close to traffic.

Whether at home or on the road, it's also important for children to know how to call for help by dialing 911 - especially in the event of a sudden health problem that prevents a parent from being able to summon the proper authorities.

According to the website SafeKids.org, other common road mishaps involving young children occur when a child inadvertently sets the vehicle in motion or becomes trapped in the trunk.