The safe way to travel
Child car seats: keeping your children safe.
CHILDREN transported in private vehicles are the first and second leading causes of traffic-related death among children aged one to four years (43.8%) and five to nine years (30.2%) respectively.
One local study found that 51.4% of children below the age of six were seated in the front passenger seat, and only a little over 13% were actually restrained.
This is in spite of the fact that child car seats (CCS) have been proven to reduce the risk of death among infants (aged less than one year) by 71%; and toddlers (aged one to four years) by 54% in passenger vehicles.
Similarly, the use of booster seats may reduce the risk of serious injury by 45% for children aged four to eight years when compared with seat belt use alone.
In general, for older children and adults, seat belt use reduces risk of death and non-fatal injuries by almost 50%.
Securing the seat
Position your child with his or her back and bottom flat against the car seat.
l Ensure the carrier straps are tight and the harness clip is even with the child’s shoulders or armpits.
l Buckle your child in the seat first before placing coats or blankets over the harness. l Buckle the harness and the chest-clip. l Check to make sure the straps are snug, with no more than one finger’s slack.
l Make sure there are no twists in the harness strap.
l Try placing a rolled washcloth or diaper in the space after your child has been securely fastened into the car seat for a more secure fit.
l Most CCS indicate the type of child restraint system it uses, so make sure you buy a CCS that corresponds accordingly to that of your car’s. Similarly, you can still use the seat belt to secure the seat, which is just as safe.
Important tips
Keep children under 13 years of age restrained in the back seat. It’s the safest place for them to be in case of a crash.
l It would be safer to buy a new CCS if you aren’t certain of the history of a preloved one you’re thinking of getting.
l Never place a rear-facing car seat in front of an active airbag (i.e. never place it in the front seat).
l Don’t substitute a booster seat with a simple cushion; they can easily slide off, displacing the child and increasing the risk of strangulation by seat belt.
l Always refer to the CCS manufacturer’s instructions (check height and weight limits) and read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to properly install the car seat.
For maximum safety for your child when driving, remember to choose a certified and age-appropriate sized CCS. Make sure you secure the seats properly, and most importantly, drive safely and responsibly at all times. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Association’s Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with expert partners. For further information, visit www.mypositiveparenting.org. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.