Car safety with little ones

Driving a car, my father use to tell me, is like holding a loaded gun, just as dangerous and just as potentially deadly.

It’s always amazed me that people are so blaze about the safety of the most precious of cargo when traveling in and around cars, their children.

Forward facing at 4 months. Out of a car seat at a mere 3 years old. No car seat. Incorrect car seat. Car seats incorrectly installed.

Some parents just don’t know, others are unaware of the dangers and sadly a select few just do not care.

But let’s look at some of the reasons why parents don’t use the correct car seats.

My baby was unhappy rear facing, we turned him around and he’s much happier
Unless your baby is the correct age and weight to be turned around you’re trading off his safety to make him ‘happy.’ A baby who is forward facing prematurely can be killed in an accident. It’s better to find ways to keep tour baby entertained while rearfacing or where possible limit travel in the car.

He’s reached the minimum weight so it doesn’t matter that he’s only 4 months
It isn’t just about weight, age is also important. At 4 months your baby probably wouldn’t have the neck strength to hold his own head up for extended periods let alone have the strength to withstand a serious crash. The NSW RTA website states that putting your child in a seat designed for an older child greatly increases the risk of injury in the event of a serious crash. It also states not to move into a forward facing seat until your child grows out of the rear facing seat.

My child is at school and I don’t want her being in a baby seat
You can be fined for not having your child in an appropriate seat. You can lose points. Not to mention that it is much safer. Besides ALL of your children’s peers should be in a car seat until 7, those who aren’t well their parents are breaking the law. I’d rather my child be uncool and safe.

This car seat was cheaper
I wouldn’t put a price on the safety of my children.

It’s easier to get him into a booster then a 5-point harness
A few seconds of struggle with a car seat vs serious injury or death?

Now it might seem like I’m being harsh talking about dead children. But really this is what this is about. Keeping children safe in the car to prevent the unthinkable.
Watch this YouTube clip and see how you feel about it.
Here is the information from the NSW RTA.

What to consider when positioning a toddlers car seat.

Always buy a brand new car seat, a second hand car seat may have been involved in an accident and therefore it is unsafe.

Don’t kid yourself about car safety, accidents do happen, don’t let the worst happen to the ones you love.