#ChildProtectionWeek, child safety is a priority

The safety of children should always be a priority and as South Africa commemorates Child Protection Week, it is important to salute some notable organisations that have been taking the lead in ensuring the safety of children across Johannesburg.

The week runs from May 27 to June 3 under the theme: “Let us protect all children to move South Africa forward.”

Amongst many organisations with children at heart is Door of Hope, which strategically uses the baby bin technique to take in all abandoned children under its care. This has been a home to many children over the years.

The organisation currently has 70 children under its care with many more children being abandoned at its doorstep on a weekly basis.

More emphasis can also be given to Pink Ladies, an organisation established for the primary purpose of reuniting missing and endangered children with their families and/or caregivers.

Following one of its many cases, the organisation recently raised awareness of the missing baby Eden who, through the help of police investigations, was brought back to his parents while his nanny and other culprits were apprehended and they await judgement in the courts of law.

On another hand parents, caregivers and the general public at large should take precedence towards the safety of their children at home, school, in public places or when driving.

ER24’s chief medical officer, Dr Robyn Holgate recently gave advice on precautions to take when travelling with young children in your car.

What is the appropriate restraint for your child?

• Neonates and infants should be restrained in an appropriate car seat, rear facing suitable for their weight until they exceed weight or height limitations, usually at around one to two years old or at about nine kilograms. This is to avoid the risk of a cervical spine injury should they be in an accident. Thereafter toddlers and infants should be secured in forward-facing car seats appropriate for their height and age. A schoolgoing child should remain in a booster seat until the age of around eight to 12 or a height of 1.4m. This is to ensure the car’s seatbelt fits appropriately over their chest and thighs.

• A car seat should always be secured in the car using the manufacturer’s recommendations. Most importantly, children should not sit in the front seat.

• Children who are tall enough to wear an adult seat belt should still ride in the back seat until they are 13 years old. Adjust the seat belt so the lap belt crosses the child’s upper thighs and the diagonal belt crosses the upper chest at a point between the neck and shoulder.

“There has been a significant reduction in deaths of children in motor vehicle accidents since we’ve introduced additional car safety features and additional child safety features. These guidelines have been researched and proven to be beneficial for our little people in vehicle accidents,” said Holgate.

One of the most important jobs as parents is keeping children safe when travelling, and it is now legislation that children younger than three years are restrained in a car seat. It is your responsibility to keep your child safe.

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