Grown Up? Strap Up!

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Grown up? Strap Up!

Road accidents often bring a big question to the fore: “Are we adequately alert about safety issues while driving?” This question becomes even more important when safety of children is at stake, especially when children are on the road and run the risk of meeting with a road accident. Among various issues, ‘safety inside the car’ is completely ignored. And one such reason is non-usage/incorrect use of ‘safety belts or seat belts’.

‘Grown Up? Strap Up!’ is a safety initiative for children to follow inside a car, with an objective to encourage all children to sit on the rear seat and to encourage use of seat belts for children aged 12 years and above. The wearing of seat belts could prevent many deaths and serious injuries taking place. They play a crucial role in reducing the severity of injury to vehicle occupants involved in an accident. Seat belts save lives: the simple act of buckling a safety belt can improve an occupant’s chance of surviving a potentially fatal crash. The pilot program was conducted in two schools covering 2,000 students.

Why Should You Strap Up In A Seat Belt In A Vehicle?

Seat Belts have been designed specifically to make sure that in the event of a crash, the force of the crash is spread and absorbed across the strongest parts of your body – the bones- the hips, chest and shoulder bones. You are kept in place, which makes you less likely to strike the windshield, dashboard, the inside of the vehicle or other passengers. It also keeps you from throwing you out of the vehicle

Can everyone in the car strap up? NO. Check whether you can use the regular seat Belt.

First sit erect against the car seat.

No slouching!

Now answer these questions:

Can you bend your knees comfortably at the edge of the seat?
Is the seat belt sitting comfortable between your neck and your arm?
Is the lap belt touching your thigh?
Can you sit in this position for the entire trip?

CAR SEAT RULES

All kids under age 13 must ride in the back seat (rear seat)
Before strapping up child should meet the height and weight requirements for rearward facing, forward facing, booster seat or seat belt. and follow car manufacturer’s instruction
Stage three (Upto 4’ 9” or 145 cms) Booster Seat
Stage two (Upto 4’ or 122 cms.)Forward facing car seat for Toddlers
Stage one (3’ or 92 cms.) Rearward facing car seat for Infants
Stage four (Above 4’ 9” or 145 cms)

Seat Belt Test Rules

Shoulder belt should be worn over the shoulder and across the chest, away from the neck.
Never wear the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the back.
Always adjust the lap strap firmly across your hips, below your stomach.
Make sure your seat belt sits nice and tight. Seat belt should not be worn loose or twisted. A belt worn loosely could allow you to slide under it in a crash.
Sit up straight. Slouching could cause the lap belt to rise up.
Only one person to a seat belt can strap up.
Do not loosen your seatbelt even during a long journey.
Replace frayed seat belts.