EVERY year thousands of young children all over the world are injured or killed in car accidents.  Many of those casualties can be prevented if the victims are in car seats.

It is very sad that in the Philippines, some parents allow their children to stay in the front seats without seat belts or car seats. Many are so ignorant of the risks that they even drive their cars with a kid on their laps.

Unfortunately, many parents are unaware of the fact that the proper use of seat belts and child seats keeps children safe and saves their lives.

Precious cargo. Children’s lives depend on the decisions that their parents make, especially when it comes to riding in automobiles.

Seat belts now come standard on all cars, however, they can pose a danger to infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children who are below 4'9" in height, who, because of their small size, can be strangled or injured by the seat belts in a crash.

This is the reason why parents should seriously consider providing their small kids with child car seats. 

There are many models on the market but choosing one depends on a child’s age, size and the type of vehicle that he or she rides in. Parents should buy the most appropriate seat for their children based on the quick guide below.

The ideal seat is the one that fits the child’s age and size, is correctly installed, fits well in the vehicle and can be used properly when traveling. A higher price does not mean the seat is safer or easier to use. Avoid used seats if you don’t know the seat’s history and don’t buy new car seats that do not come with instructions.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), all infants should ride rear-facing starting with their first ride home from the hospital until they have reached at least one year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds. It is even better for them to ride rear-facing until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car-safety seat’s manufacturer. Infants should never ride on anyone’s lap inside the vehicle.

When using a rear-facing seat, make sure that the car-safety seat is installed tightly in the vehicle and that the harness fits the child snugly. Never place a rear-facing car-safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle that has an air bag. If the air bag inflates, it will hit the back of the child seat, right where the baby’s head is.

If the rear-facing seat has more than one set of harness slots, make sure the harnesses are in the slots at or below the baby’s shoulders. Parents should know what kind of seat belts their vehicle has. Some seat belts need locking clips, which come with all new car-safety seats. Check the manual that came with the vehicle.

When using a convertible seat in the rear-facing position, make sure that the seat belt is routed through the correct belt path. Newer vehicles may come with the Latch system, which is used to secure car-safety seats. Read the vehicle’s manual for information on using latch.

Car seats should be set at a correct angle so that the infant’s head does not flop forward. Many seats have angle indicators or adjusters that can help prevent this. If the seat does not have an angle adjuster, the car seat should be tilted back by putting a rolled towel or other firm padding under the base near the point where the back and bottom of the vehicle seat meet. Car seats must be installed tightly. If it can be moved more than an inch side-to-side or front to back, it’s not tight enough.

All children below 13 years of age should wear safety belts and they should be in the back seat, especially if the vehicle has air bags in the front seat. If it is really absolutely necessary for a child to sit in front, the seat should be moved as far back away from the dashboard (and the air bag) as possible. If the child is driven by someone else such as private drivers or school bus, parents have to make sure that

the person in charge of transporting the child knows how to use the seat belts correctly and is aware of other safety requirements.

Although seat belts are made for adults, children should stay in a booster seat until adult seat belts fit correctly. This means that the shoulder belt lies across the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or throat. The lap belt is low and snug across the upper thighs, not the belly. The child should be tall enough to sit against the vehicle-seat back with his or her knees bent without slouching and can stay in this position comfortably throughout the trip.

Parents should remind their children not to tuck the shoulder belt under their arm or behind their back. This leaves the upper body unprotected, putting their child at risk of severe injury in a crash or with sudden braking. Never allow anyone to “share” seat belts. All passengers must have their own car-safety seats or seat belts.

Most car manufacturers in the country such as Ford, Volvo, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Isuzu, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Kia, Mazda, etc., can help and show parents how to use safety belts, as well as installing car seats. So parents, be a good role model. Make sure you always wear your seat belt. This will help your child form a lifelong habit of buckling up.

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Attention, Parents!

EVERY year thousands of young children all over the world are injured or killed in car accidents.  Many of those casualties can be prevented if the victims are in car seats.