FOLLOW THESE TIPS

❯❯ ALWAYS USE A CAR SEAT

Accidents can happen, even on the shortest trips. Many children are taken on trips of shorter than 3km without being strapped in. Therefore, if unrestrained, an impact can prove fatal from speeds of 20km/hour. In the event of an accident, when a child is not properly restrained, the risk of being ejected from the car is six or seven times greater.

❯❯ PICK THE RIGHT SIZE

It’s best to buy a car seat for your child based on their current height and weight. Your child must travel in a car seat that is the appropriate size for them.

❯❯ INSTALL THE SEAT CORRECTLY

Group 0 or car seats for babies under 1 year or 80cm in height must preferably be rear facing.

If your car has Isofix points, you can select any car seat with either an Isofix connection or opt for a seat that uses your car’s seat belt. The Isofix system provides increased safety by eliminating human error when the seat is installed in the car. If you don’t have Isofix, you can use a seatbelt-installed car seat. Make sure you know how to guide the belt correctly, and pull the seatbelt tight. Read the car seat manual, or watch the installation video, and follow the instructions carefully.

❯❯ REAR-FACING FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE

It’s safest for babies and toddlers to stay in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 15 months old. It doesn’t matter if their legs stick out, but if their head is higher than the seat shell, they need the next size. When travelling rearward facing, the forces of a frontal collision are better spread over a greater area of the body of the baby, which leads to less pressure on the head and neck.

❯❯ CHECK THE HARNESS

The harness should always be adjusted to the correct height setting which is at shoulder height. Check there are no twists in the straps. Incorrect height placement of the harness often results in children unbuckling themselves, escaping from the seat, head flops, and the harness could potentially slip off during a collision. Pull the harness tight: if you can slip just one finger between the harness and your child’s chest, it’s tight enough.

❯❯ BEWARE OF FRONTAL AIRBAGS

The safest place for a rear-facing car seat is on the back seat. This avoids the danger of front airbags inflating against the seat. If you do put the car seat upfront, deactivate the front airbag, and place the seat as far back as possible.

❯❯ KEEP UP WITH MAINTENANCE

Make sure your car’s tyres, brakes and suspension are in good condition, as these can help avoid accidents. Why don’t you and your partner attend advanced driving lessons this Valentine’s Day, instead of the usual gift swop?

❯❯ SAFE DRIVING

Maintain a safe following distance, and if your car is heavily loaded, make sure to increase that distance. Keep your lights on, rest often, and if the children are acting up in the back, stop somewhere safe in order to deal with it.