Local Au Pairs Learn About Driving Safety

In the evening of November 3, 2014, over 35 local au pairs gathered at the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office’s headquarter to attend a Driving Safety meeting. Local childcare consultant Annabel Allen had organized this meeting together with Investigator Sean Allen from the Sheriff’s Office’s Crash Reconstruction Unit. “With days becoming shorter and driving conditions likely to worsen during the winter months, it is a priority to remind our au pairs about how to drive safely and prevent car accidents,” said Annabel Allen. “After all, our au pairs drive a lot with their host children in the car and we want all of them to be safe,” Allen continued.

In his half-hour long presentation, Investigator Allen explained that driving on Northern Virginia’s busy roads can be a challenge, especially once there is snow on the ground. Consequently, it is the au pairs’ – and their host families’ – responsibility to make sure the car they are using is “winter proved”. Winter tires, or year-round-tires in excellent condition, are a must. To check if the windshield wiper fluid contains anti-freeze is also crucial for maintaining clear visibility. And what should you do when you get stuck in the snow? “Pouring sand or a couple hands full of kitty litter in front of the tires is a good option for car tires to gain traction again,” said Investigator Allen, “but of course not everyone carries these items in their car.” He went on by giving the insight that putting the car’s rubber floor mats in front of the tires oftentimes is a successful way of getting out and getting on. Who knew? Anticipating a longer time to come to a complete stop on snowy and icy roads is important to be aware of, too.

Investigator Allen went on by reminding the au pairs that as drivers, they are responsible for the safety of passengers inside the car. In other words, every host child driven by an au pair needs to be buckled up, no exceptions. Hereby, use of the correct child car seat is crucial; the following Virginia laws apply:

· Rear-facing child seat: birth to at least 1 year AND at least 20 pounds,

· Forward-facing child seat: age 1 to about age 4 AND at least 20 pounds,

· Backless booster seat / high back booster seat with the seatbelt: about age 4 to age 8 AND under 4 feet 9 inches tall,

· Seatbelt only: over age 8.

Besides sharing best practices for driving safely, Investigator Allen also talked about personal safety tips. Au pairs are social, young adults who love to go out and meet new people. “As a local consultant who stays in close contact with my au pairs and host families, I am always amazed how fast au pairs make new friends and go explore the area,” Allen explained. “While doing so, I want my au pairs to stay safe first and foremost.” Emphasizing the importance of personal safety, Investigator Allen advised au pairs to always go out in groups and let host parents or friends know where they are going and when they think they will return back home. In a technology-driven world, it is also a best practice to always carry a cell phone. Investigator Allen warned, however, to not consider yourself 100 percent safe wherever you go just because you are carrying a mobile phone. Instead, he explains “it is best to stay alert of your surroundings at all times and head to a public place, e.g. a gas station, restaurant, or shopping mall, if you feel your are being followed.”

All in all, it was a very informative and effective Driving Safety meeting for local au pairs attending. A huge Thank You goes out to Investigator Allen who took the time to teach the young adults how to drive safe and stay safe during their stay here in Loudoun County.

Cultural Care Au Pair’s childcare and cultural exchange program offers families affordable, flexible, and customizable childcare solutions. Au pairs live with their host families and provide up to 45 hours of childcare each week. All au pairs are screened and trained by dedicated Cultural Care offices worldwide and receive one-year exchange visitor visas (J-1). The interest in this affordable childcare option is growing in popularity not only in Loudoun County, but nationwide.

For more information on the au pair program, please contact your local childcare consultant, Annabel Allen, under 571.344.4244 or via email at annabel.allen@lcc.culturalcare.com. Additional information can also be found on her website http://aallen.aupairnews.com.