A total of 150 car seats were given to parents who had not securely buckled up their little ones. The fifth consecutive Car Seats for Kids handover took place outside Sharonlea Primary School in Sharonlea on 2 November in partnership with Imperial Road Safety under Imperial Truck Rental, Wheel Well, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department and several security companies.
Group marketing from Imperial, Niki Cronje said that as a mother to twin girls she began to ensure that her girls were used to being buckled up whenever they were in the car as it was the best way to ensure their safety. “I have seen young children who were involved in accidents and it’s absolutely sad to see.
“Most parents don’t buckle up their children because they cry and get upset at being put in the car seats and most parents think that it won’t happen to them, but then it does.”
GALLERY: FIFTH CONSECUTIVE CARS FOR KIDS HANDOVER
She explained that since they started the car seat initiative, they had collected over 7 900 seats from all over Gauteng and so far, 5 300 seats had been distributed. She further explained that the car seat was meant for children up to 9kgs and is not determined by age.
Cronje added that the seats were collected and then refurbished before being handed out to parents free of charge. “Parents need to upgrade their car seats as their children grow. I think that there is a lack of understanding on the part of parents who do not buckle up their small children.”
Metro police spokesperson, Superintendent Edna Mamonyane said that she had seen ugly incidents that involved children who had not been properly buckled up. “There really is no excuse for not ensuring the safety of small children while in the car. Even if they are crying it is better for the children to be safe and their tears should not bother parents. After some time the child will get used to being buckled up in the car seat.”