Various rules have been established to reduce injuries and fatalities in traffic accidents. One of the rules set to ensure safety is the obligation to wear seat belts. Another measure is the mandatory use of child car seats for the safety of infants and children traveling in vehicles. Why is a child car safety seat necessary? Regardless of how low the speed is during a journey, if a collision occurs, the passenger can be thrown and hit violently against the interior surfaces of the vehicle, which cannot be prevented without safety measures. However, if a child car seat is used, the child is protected from the impact force, and the likelihood of injury often drops to zero. Looking briefly at the statistics on the subject; according to WHO (World Health Organization) data, Turkey ranks 5th in the world for traffic accidents involving children up to 14 years old. In Europe, the rate of child fatalities in traffic accidents is 2%, while this rate is around 40% in our country. The seat belts designed for adults are not sufficient to ensure the safety of child passengers in vehicles. With a law that came into effect on June 1, 2010, as part of the European Union harmonization process, the use of child car safety seats in vehicles has become mandatory in our country. However, this law is not currently enforced, and fines are not imposed on those who do not use seats. Newborns and all children between 135 cm tall and 36 kg must use child car seats during vehicle travel. One of the important points when purchasing a seat for your child is height and weight. European experts have categorized height and weight criteria into 4 groups. Group 0: Newborns should use infant-type child seats (carrying model) until they reach 10 kg and 9 months old. These seats are designed for babies who cannot hold their neck and head. They provide good support for the spine. The infant seat is installed in the back seat of the vehicle facing the rear window. It has a handle for carrying. Although they are suitable for use in the front seat, the presence of an airbag in the front of the vehicle poses a threat to these seats. The safest way for a baby is to travel in the back seat. Group 1: Children weighing 9-18 kg between 9 months and 4 years should use movable child safety seats mounted in the back seat facing forward. Group 2: This group includes children aged 3-5 years weighing between 15-25 kg. Children in this group should not be secured with adult seat belts but should use a car safety seat. Group 3: Children aged 6-12 years weighing between 22-36 kg should use seats known as booster seats. When you acquire a child car seat, you must also learn how to install it safely in your vehicle. Incorrectly installed seats reduce their protective effect. It is important that the seats comply with ECE 44.03 or later standards. The necessary tests conducted during production and compliance with standards can be understood from the mark on the product. Be sure to look for this mark on the product you purchase. Clean the seat only with water and soap. Other cleaning materials can cause the seat surface to become flammable. Prefer a seat with Isofix features. If your car does not have Isofix, install this device for your child's safety. Before purchasing a seat, be sure to let your child try it out, check the suitability of the belt adjustments, and ensure it is comfortable.
Child Health and Safety
