Passenger deaths in children are the fourth leading cause of unnatural deaths in our country, that’s according to research done by the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Southern Africa (CAPFSA) and the Medical Research Council. Not to mention all the children that suffer injuries or disabilities on a daily basis.
A scary experience
It is a sad reality that when you put your child in a car, you may do everything to protect them but the next person may care less and harm you and your family. Car travel with children in the cities of South Africa can be a harrowing experience. There is just a lot to deal with- pot holes, road rage, taxis which stop and go as they please, unlicensed drivers and unroadworthy vehicles. Moms can be forgiven for keeping their eyes glued on the road and not see their curious little one as they free themselves from the seat belt.
The stats tell a frightening story
Approximately 20 children, a month, are treated for injuries sustained in motor vehicle collisions and this is just at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital alone. Most of these injuries could have been prevented through appropriate restraining considering that 80 per cent of these injured children were not buckled up or restrained in any way at all. Car safety seats reduce the risk of death in passenger cars by 71 percent for infants, and 54 percent for toddlers. That is why you must buckle up your little one at all times.
Buying a car seat for your baby or toddler
It is also of vital importance to choose the right car seat and in doing so remember to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing a restraint and placing your child in it. Car seats are designed to match a child’s height and weight. When you buy a car seat you need to consider:
- The size and weight of your child
- If the restraint will fit in your vehicle
- Your child should be kept in the most appropriate restraint suitable for his or her size and age and only be moved to the next category of restraint when he or she no longer physically fits into it.
