It is a well known fact the seat belt is the single most effective device to protect you in your car. Children should also be using seat belts whenever they ride in a car. Teaching them from young that they should strap in will become a habit that can prevent injury.
As cars are designed with adult sizes in mind whereby the seats and seatbelts don’t really fit for children under a certain ago or height. To safeguard them, parents are to use child seats, often called booster seats. In Malaysia, car seats are mandatory for children in private vehicles. Children under 12 years old, weighing less than 36kg, or shorter than 135cm must be secured in a proper child restraint system (CRS). The CRS must be certified under United Nations Regulations UN R44 or UN R129.
Children under the age of 2 years should be carried in rear-facing child seats. This is to protect their developing spines in particular, in case of an accident. Although one may not drive very fast in an accident injuries may still be severe for children as they are still developing. When children are not properly secured in car seats during a car accident, they face a number of increased risk: Being flung around the car, they may suffer head and brain trauma, spinal cord damage, and internal injuries. These injuries can range from concussions and fractures to life-threatening internal organ damage. The number speak for themselves as some sources state that infants are 71% less likely to be injured when properly secured in car seats, and toddlers are 54% safer.
In addition, any object being thrown around the vehicles interior also signifies danger to the other passengers seated in front. A human body, that of a child, will develop a significant force and may crush others or cause injuries upon impact. At German Motors, we know that every modern car can be fitted with Child Restraint Seats (CRS) and we are happy to recommend place where such equipment can be obtained.
Child Restraint Seats come in various shapes and colours. Their cost is generally reasonable and oftentimes one can find used ones that are in tip-top condition. Considering that the investment in one such seat is vital for the safety of our sons and daughters, it should not be skipped.
