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Though there are no laws regarding the mandatory use of child safety seats in India, using one goes a long way in ensuring the safety of our children. Every parent knows that children, being bundles of pent up energy, can never sit still. As a result unrestrained kids in a moving vehicle are very prone to injuries in case of an accident, or even hard braking while on a short trip to the nearby grocery.
There is a common misconception that holding one's child in the cradle of one's arms provides enough protection. But sadly that is not so. In the event of a collision or even hard braking the child, thanks to the inertia of motion, can be flung out of the adult's seemingly protective arms in extreme cases. Thereafter the child could hit is or her head against the dashboard, which might lead to severe injuries.
The only effective way of preventing such a horrific situation is to have the child restrained every single time you put him or her in a moving car. And no, this doesn't mean you belt the child down with the car's seat belt as these are designed for adults. What you need to do really is invest in a child safety seat. And of course there's the added benefit of a child that is strapped down and therefore can't reach out in front or jump inside the car. But remember it's also important to choose the right seat.
As the classification implies, these are meant for infants till they are a year old or weigh over 10kg or are over 50cm tall. Infant seats are designed to face the rear of the car as this is the position in which they can best protect an infant whose neck muscles would still be in one stage of development or another. An additional benefit of an infant seat is that more often than not that the infant may be carried around even without they are designed like a basket with a handle so taking him or her out of the seat. There are some brands that will also allow the seat to be a detachable part of a stroller set for added convenience.
Only when they are over a year old can children safely progress to the forward facing toddler seat. These seats are designed to prevent the child from being thrown forward, courtesy a strong three-point harness that usually features adjustable belts. Meanwhile heavy padding and soft braces around the neck prevent the whiplash injuries or the child from hurting himself or herself on the material of the seat itself. These seats can usually be inclined to allow the child to sleep in a comfortable position.
However it isn't enough to just buy a child safety seat. It's also important to know how to use it. The first and most important rule is that the child seat itself has to be buckled down securely using the car's seatbelt system. Without this in place, the seat itself will become a dangerous projectile in an accident or under harsh braking action.
Always try and put the child safety seat at the rear of the car. Never put it in the front seat without disabling the passenger side airbag if your car has one. In any case infant seats should never be put in the front seat.
Last but not the least, do not scrimp on the seat when you go to buy one. Purchase the best that you can afford. It'll always be a small price to pay for your child's safety.
Although they are likely to keep your child the most satisfied through the journey, resist the temptation to pack in too much junk food like sweets, chips, crispies and fizzy drinks. The chances of the child developing acidity is higher when he's been fed a diet of junk all day.
Measure your child's height and weight before you go to purchase the child safety seat since seats are made according to age, weight and height criteria. Buy the right seat. Do not buy a seat that is larger than what you need as it will fail to protect your child.
