While residing in a land where passenger safety is not only taken non seriously, but in fact is a laughing matter for most, observing such precautions takes much more than just the realization that it’s imperative for you and your family’s safety and something you have to stand for. There is some encouragement required at a social level also to make people adopt safety measures and as the famous saying goes “no one can make you feel inferior without your consent”, if you realize you are the one responsible for the wellbeing of your family and not the people who would just laugh around, you’ll act in a way that serves you best.
Sights which would leave one is a
state of shock, owning to the lack of concern shown towards the safety of
children on our roads are very common; from kids being used as air bags i.e.
sitting on the lap of the driver in front of the steering wheel, really
underage kids driving with their elders being proud on this stupid act, to kids
peeking out of sunroofs while standing inside moving vehicles or sitting on the
windows while dangling outside, there is no limit to the insanity shown without
any regret until of course the obvious happens; which in these cases are mostly
fatal accidents.
In order to ensure the safety of
child occupants inside the vehicle, kindly consider following the measures
mentioned below:
1. Never leave children unattended in a parked car in
summers, the temperature inside the cabin rises really fast and this becomes a
life threatening situation before you least expect it.
2. Children are not meant to be used as airbags –
whenever you drive with your kid seated in your lap, that is exactly what you
are using him for. It does not matter if the child enjoys it; you are
responsible for his safety and need to stop acting childish yourself. He would
enjoy driving himself one day if he outlives the dangers you are exposing him
to.
3. Do not use extreme air conditioning i.e. chilling
the air inside the car while it’s hot outside, the sudden temperature
difference the child would be exposed to would lead to negative affects health
wise. Sacrifice some enjoyment for their sake, you want to make him tough then
find more suitable ways to do it e.g. a karate class.
4. Your children are not meant to be used as a
windsock, so do not use them to check the direction of the wind by dangling
them out of the sunroof of a moving car. Sudden braking or steering might lead
to events which you would have not imagined, visit the appropriate place for
such fun like the rides at a joy land which have secure seats.
5. Moving on from the totally ridiculous things to do
category, we can move to what should be done in order to make sure the kids are
safely secured while travelling in a car. For this we can follow the guideline
made by concerned authorities abroad after studying all aspects carefully
2013 Child Passenger Safety National Best Practice
Recommendations
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Phase 1
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Rear-Facing Seats
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Infants:
Birth – 35+ pounds, 2+ years old. Rear-facing infant or rear-facing
convertible safety seat as long as possible, up to the rear-facing height or
weight limit of the seat. Properly install according to instructions in
owner’s manual, rear-facing in the back seat.
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Phase 2
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Forward-facing Seats
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When
children outgrow the rear-facing safety seat (2+ years), they should ride in
a forward-facing safety seat as long as possible, up to the upper height or
weight limit (40 – 80+ pounds) of the harnesses. Usually 4+ years old.
Properly installed forward-facing in the back seat.NEVER turn
forward-facing before child meets all: AGE/HEIGHT/WEIGHT requirements set by
safety seat manufacturer for forward-facing.
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Phase 3
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Booster Seats
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After
age 4 and 40+ pounds, children can ride in a booster seat with the adult lap
and shoulder belt until the adult safety belt will fit them properly (usually
when the child is 4'9" tall, 10 – 12 years old).
MUST have a lap/shoulder belt to use a booster seat. |
Phase 4
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Adult Safety Belt
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Once
children outgrow their booster seat (usually at 4'9", 10 – 12
years) they can use the adult lap/shoulder safety belt if it
fits them properly.
Lap portion low over the hips/tops of thighs and shoulder belt crosses the center of the shoulder and center of the chest. |
Children
are better protected the longer they can stay in each phase. Keep children in
each seat up to the maximum age/weight/height limits before
moving to the next phase. ALL children younger than age 13
years should ride properly restrained in the back seat.
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6. Apart from these specific precautions for child
occupants, others which are a must for all passengers should be observed, such
as ensuring proper maintenance of the vehicle specially tires so that any
untoward incident is avoided.
7. Attaching a sticker on the vehicle’s rear clearly
warning that there is a kid inside it might also add another level in
our strive towards safety, you never know what might make a driver reconsider
his actions
Drive safe and love your kids, you
owe it to them!
Nice article :)
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