Each year thousands of young children are killed or injured in car crashes. You can help
prevent this from happening to your child by always using car safety seats and seat belts correctly.
The information below explains how.
It will probably takes many years before our Malaysian Government implement the mandatory use of car seats. Yet, new cars are coming out with air bags. Do you know the danger of putting your child on the front passenger seat with an air-bag?
All new cars come equipped with air bags. When used with seat belts, air bags work very well to protect older children and adults. However, air bags are very dangerous to children riding in rear-facing car safety seats and to child passengers who are not properly positioned. If your car has a passenger air bag, infants in rear-facing seats must ride in the back seat. Even in a low-speed crash, the air bag can inflate, strike the car safety seat, and cause serious brain and neck injury and death.
Toddlers who ride in forward-facing car safety seats also are at risk from air bag injuries. All children up to age 13 years are safest in the back seat. If you must put an older child in the front seat, slide the vehicle seat back as far as it will go. Make sure your child is properly restrained for his age and size and stays in the proper position at all times. This will help prevent the air bag from striking your child.
And do you actually use a car-seat correctly? Well, do read more on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) website on the dangers of not using a car-seat, how to use it correctly and other safety tips.
MyMomsBest’s forum has always advocate the proper usage of car seats. Join us in the online forum and discuss with other mothers on how to deal with a baby who refused to be buckled up, how to entertain a crying baby tied to the car seat while you are driving, what to do in a traffic jam etc. You can also get in touch with moms who are familiar with the proper installation of car seats.
As a community service, why not bring awareness on the importance of car seats to your friends and colleagues? (there are instructions on how to print the leaflets. Note : You are welcome to print one copy of this guide for personal use. ) Let’s do something constructive while we wait patiently for the government to implement the necessary safety measures.
Originally posted 2006-03-20 11:46:55.
