AAP insists for parents to always belt up their kids when driving

This latest discoveries by the United states Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) will definitely astonish most parents / guardians into swapping their odd practices of fastening their kids inside vehicle.

According to a newly released issue of the Pediatrics (April 2011 edition), parents are encouraged to continually position their kids within a rear-facing position till the ages of two years old and even until they reach the compulsory height and weight for seat for cars, the AAP cautioned. Also, the AAP also reminded parents about the basic requirement for their children to use booster seats that seat belt positioned until the height of 4’ and 9” in height as well as reaching the ages of 8-12 years of age.

A former publication advised on the safest way for toddlers and infants to travel in a vehicle is to be sat in a rear-facing position up to the limit of the car seat with particular emphasis on kids aged one year old and weighing up to 20 pounds as the minimum age and weight allowed. Consequently, a huge majority of parents began turning their child’s car seat to a forward facing position immediately their child turned one year old.

“Parents usually look forward to their kids transition from one stage to the next, but these transitions can wait until they are deemed necessary, when the child fully grow past the limits set for his or her current age,” said Dennis Durbin, MD, FAAP, lead author of the policy statement and accompanying technical report.

“Child safety seat with rear-facing features is a lot more protective and supportive of the head, neck and spine of babies and toddlers in the event of an accident, due to the manner it distributes the entire force of the collision over the whole body.” Dr Durbin reintegrated. With bigger kids, forward facing seats with harnesses are safer than booster seats, also belt positioning booster seats gives better protection than seat belts alone until the seat belts work perfectly.”

Although the level of deaths caused by vehicle accidents in children up to the ages of 16 years has diminished significantly, with a 45% reduction from 1997-2009, it is undoubtedly the number one and leading cause for deaths kids aged 4 years and above. Including teens and children of up to 21 years , the total deaths for each year is more than 5,000. Amount of fatalities is just a yardstick; for every individual involved in an accident, about 18 kids are admitted into hospital as more than 400 children get seriously injured to the extent of requiring medical help.

New research indicates that rear- facing car seats are the safest for children. The 2007 journal injury prevention study unveiled that children within the ages of 2 yr were 75% less likely to be killed or obtain very severe injuries in the event of a crash if they are sat in a rear facing manner.

The age 2 recommendation is not a deadline, but rather a guideline to help parents decide when to make the transition, Dr. Durbin said. Smaller children will benefit from remaining rear-facing longer, while other children may reach the maximum height or weight before 2 years of age.

Kids are required to be transitioned from a rear facing car seat to that of a forward facing car seats that comes with a safety harness until they attain the maximum height and weight for that seat. After that a booster seat can adequately ensure that the car’s shoulder and lap belts fastens and secures adequately. The shoulder belt should lie across the middle of the chest and shoulder, not near the neck or face. While the lap belt on the other hand must fit low and snug on the upper thighs and hips instead of the belly. Booster seat will be required for most kids until they have reached 4’9” and aged between 8- 12 years old.

Children should ride in a booster seat or an Infant car seat in the rear of a vehicle until they are 13 years old.

Despite the Federal Aviation Authority allowing children under the ages of 2 years to ride on the laps of adults when flying, appropriate and adequate age and size restraints are still highly essential for safety.

No matter the method of transport, All kids must be adequately and securely restrained when riding. This applies to sea, land or air, Dr Durbin emphasised..

Baby bath tubs, baby strollers and baby monitors and safe baby swings are a few of the most valuable baby products recommended for kids safety in their everyday life.