Child Safety: Seatbelts May Pose A Threat

An automobile is not a toy yet everyday unsupervised children might get access to an unlocked car and treat it like one

. There are many dangers associated with children left unattended in a vehicle, particularly if the keys are in the ignition.

We can help to keep children safe by educating them on the risks involved in playing alone in a car. A child within reach of a seat belt may become entangled if he or she pulls the seat belt all the way out and wraps the belt around their head, neck, or waist.

Seat belts in most new models, as well as many older cars, have a locking mechanism that is activated when the seat belt is pulled all the way out from the retractor. This feature is designed for child seat installation. In instances when this locking feature activates, the child may not be able to free him or herself and could end up the victim of strangulation.

Certain dangers are present even when an adult is in the car

Seat belts can pose a hazard if a person does not properly restrain their child. For example, by allowing a child to lie down or sleep on the vehicle seat, instead of being properly restrained. Older children, who are no longer in a child restraint system, can become entangled by pulling a seat belt all the way out of the retractor, or by playing with an unused seat belt.

Anyone using their vehicle's Lower Anchors and Tether for Children(LATCH)system to install their car seat could possibly be allowing their child the ability to reach an unused seat belt.

Helpful Prevention Tips

Here is a list of procedures designed to help keep our children safe:

Do not let children play in or around cars.

Never leave a child unattended in or around a vehicle.

Always ensure children are properly restrained.

Teach children that seat belts are not toys.

Be aware that some seat belts have a retractor that locks if pulled all the way out.

If a child has an unused seat belt within reach remember to keep unused seat belts buckled. Pull the seat belt out all the way to the end without yanking. Then, feed the excess webbing back into the retractor.

If a child seat is installed with LATCH, consider completing the steps above before installing the child seat. Always consult the child seat and/or vehicle owner's manual for installation instructions. And always carry sufficient auto insurance as another means of protecting children should an unforeseen accident occur.

by:Charles S. Riggs

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