Safety at Home
Car Safety
Real Life Stories
Hazards

Print friendly version   print friendly version

It is very dangerous for a baby or a child to ride in a vehicle on an adult's lap OR to have the seat belt fixed over both adult and child.

Even at slow speeds, in a sudden stop, the baby can be thrown forward with a force many times its body weight.

A car seat, when correctly installed and used, prevents a child from being thrown around inside the vehicle or thrown outside through the windshield, window or door.

In addition, an adult seat belt is not suitable for a child as a child's body is smaller and weighs less than an adult's body.


Car Safety For Kids

Follow these safety guidelines for kids of all ages

Always have your child secured in a car restraint seat
Use a car seat that is right for your child's weight and height
Make sure that the car seat is properly installed in the car
Check that all harnesses and straps are properly adjusted to ensure that your child has the maximum protection
Metal fittings on child seats may become very hot if the car is left in direct sunlight
Prevent accidental burns by covering the seat if you have to leave the car in the sun
Do not use a rear facing baby seat if the front seat of a car is fitted with a passenger-side airbag

Babies Under 9 Kg
If a baby is thrown forward, a baby's neck and back muscles are not strong enough to withstand these forces. As a result, the baby's head could be thrown forward and his brain could be damaged by bumping against his skull.

Some guidelines are:

Have a car seat for your newborn right from the first ride home from the hospital

Always position the seat such that the baby faces the back of the vehicle

During a sudden stop, the force is spread evenly across the baby's whole body, pushing the baby against the padded back of the seat

Car Seat Guide
Select a car seat / child restraint which is most suitable for your child's age, size and weight.
 Age Weight Type of Car Seat
Babies: up to 9 mths up to 10 Kg Infant Capsule Rear-facing
Toddlers: 9 mths - 4 yrs 9 - 18 kg Convertible Seat Front-facing
Children: Approximately 5 - 8 yrs 19 - 36 kg Booster Seat

Mom-To-Be

Did you know that you can protect your unborn child by protecting his mother?

Pregnant women should always wear the lap belt under the stomach and the shoulder belt above the stomach
The belt should be worn low over the pelvic bones and not against the soft stomach area
The belt should be snug, without being uncomfortable. Worn properly, the seat belt will not harm the baby

 

Useful links:
Safety at Home | Child Safety Centre | Real Life Injuries | Hazards

Childhood Injuries | Children's Emergency I Objects In The Ear I Swallowed Objects I Preparing Your Child For Healthcare Experiences