Wellness Articles

Wellness Index

More and more drivers are becoming convinced of the necessity of using safety belts for themselves and their passengers. Sadly, some parents do not treat infants or young children as they would other passengers. They hold an infant or allow a child to ride on a lap, or even worse, standing on the seat between two adults. These parents may not realize that they are placing their children’s lives in danger.

Infant and child car seats have already saved thousands of children from death or serious injury due to car accidents. Unfortunately, only slightly over half of such seats are being used properly. Car crashes are still the number one killer and crippler of children under 5 years of age. The proper use of children's safety seats could reduce the risk of death or injury by 70 percent.

The Choice Is Clear

When choosing a child's safety seat:

• Be sure the seat has a label showing it was certified to meet federal safety standards.

• When buying a used seat, check the back of the seat for the date it was made. If it was manufactured before January 1981, don't buy it; it may not have undergone tough safety tests.

• Inspect a used safety seat carefully. If it's rusty, has frayed harness straps or cracks in the frame, or if it's supposed to have a shoulder retainer but doesn't, don't use it. And never reuse a seat that's already been involved in an accident.

• Consider both the infant's comfort and your convenience. There are different types of safety seats or carriers for different sizes of children and for different car models.

• If the manufacturer's instructions aren't included, contact the manufacturer for a new copy. Don't rely on verbal instructions from the seller.

• Low-income families can get help in obtaining safety seats from county health departments, local Red Cross chapters, and large hospitals.

To Get the Most Out of Your Safety Sea t

• Face the seat backwards for infants weighing under 20 pounds (they'll be able to withstand the force of any impact much better). Face the seat forward for larger children so they can enjoy the view.

• Place the safety seat in the back seat of your car, as close to the center as possible. This reduces the danger of striking a hard dashboard or protruding knobs.

• Whenever possible, have another adult or older child sit in the back seat (wearing his or her safety belt) to make sure the baby is comfortable and secure.

• Adjust the safety seat’s harness so that it fits snugly but comfortably (leaving about an inch of slack) and making sure the harness latch is in the proper position for your child's size.

• Manufacturer's instructions may differ for each model. You can get the most effective use out of your safety seat by following these instructions closely and then storing them in a convenient place for later reference.

©1989 Parlay International. Single copies may be printed for personal use, but the printing of multiple copies is prohibited.