Carrying children

30 November -0001

0Comments | Comment on this Article

In an impact at just 30 mph, an unrestrained child is thrown forwards at up to 60 times its bodyweight. its could then be thrown around the car, injusring and killing other passengers, too. The child is also likely to be thrown into more danger by being ejected through one of the windows.

it is never safe to hold a child on your lap, even if you are wearing a seatbelt. The child would be snatched from your arms and no matter how hard you try, it would be impossible to hold onto it. the child cuold then be crushed between you and a part of the cars interior, especially if you arent wearing a seatbelt.

A properly fitted car seat not only keeps your child in the seat, but also absorbs some of the impact, making your precious cargo less likely to be killed or seriously injured in an impact.

To have the proper effect, a child restraint must be fitted and used correctly, surveys have shown, most badly fitted seats are for one or more of the following reasons:

• Seat belt too loose
• Seat belt not routed through child seat correctly
• Buckle crunch (buckle resting against part of the child seat's frame, which means that in a crash it might break or snap open)
• Handle on baby seat not positioned properly
• Child seat not compatible with car
• Child seat old and in bad condition
• Child too large or too small for the seat they are using.

Type of child restraintWeight rangeApproximate Age rangeRear facing baby carrierGroup 0 for babies up to 10kg (22lbs)Birth to 9 6-9 monthsGroup 0+ for babies up tp 13kgsBirth to 12-15 monthsForward facing child seat9-14 kgs (20-40 lbs)9 months - 4 yearsBooster seat15- 25 kgs (33-55lbs)4-6 yearsBooster cushion22 - 36 kgs (48 - 79 lbs)6 - 11 years

0Comments | Be the first to comment!