Holistix

The most frequent cause of death among children is car accidents. Children in a car who are not fastened with a seat belt, or who are not placed in a child seat, may be seriously injured or even die in a car accident. Children of all ages must be fastened in a car. What can I do to keep my children safe in the car?

• Infants should ride in the back seat in an approved car safety seat until age 1 and at least 9-12 kilograms. Use a rearward-facing restraint as this is the safest way to travel. Adjust the shoulder straps as the baby grows.
• Children weighing 9 to 18kg can be put in an approved forward-facing or rear facing child car seat that is attached using an adult seat belt and an upper tether strap or rear-facing child seats in the front passenger seat. A passenger airbag must be disabled if using the front seat.

• Children weighing 15 to 25kg should be carried in the back seat in approved child seats that must be fastened with the car's three-point seat belt. A booster cushion may be comfortable for children in this age group, although this will not provide as much safety for the child's back, neck and head as a child's car seat.
• Children who are at least 150cm tall and weigh about 36kg may use the car's ordinary seat belts.

Please remember that the back seat is generally the safest place in the car. Although airbags are useful and save many lives, they’re powerful and can injure or kill children. If your vehicle has a passenger airbag, it’s essential for children 12 and under to ride in the back of your car. When your child is over 12 and wants to sit in the front seat, move the seat as far back as possible.