Car crashes and other safety tips

Car crashes and other safety tips

Donya Betancourt, Pediatrician, Jakarta

Cars can pose a great danger to your child's health and safety.
Most injuries and deaths caused by car crashes can be prevented
by the use of car seat belts.

Since the safest place for all children is the back seat of a
car, an infant must always ride in a rear-facing car safety seat
in the back seat until he or she is at least one year of age and
at least 10 kilograms.

Your child should use a car safety seat or a booster seat
until the lap belt can be worn low and flat on the hips and the
shoulder belt can be worn across the shoulder rather than the
face or neck (usually at about 40 kilograms and one meter 45
centimeters tall). Set a good example. Make sure you and other
adults buckle up, too!

Do not leave your child alone in a car. Keep vehicles and
their trunks locked. Death from excess heat can occur in a closed
car in warm weather in a short time. Do not leave your child
alone in the car.

Always walk behind your car to be sure your child is not there
before you back out of your driveway.

Bike safety

Your child should always wear a helmet when riding a bike. The
bike should be the right size, which means your child must be
able to place the balls of both feet on the ground when sitting
on the seat with hands on the handlebars.

Your child's first bicycle should have coaster brakes. Five
year olds are often unable to use hand brakes correctly. Now is
the time to teach your child the "Rules of the Road." Be sure he
or she knows the rules and can use them. Watch your child ride to
ensure he or she is in control of the bike.

See if your child uses good judgment. Your 8-year-old is not
old enough to ride at dusk or after dark. Make sure your child
brings the bike in when the sun starts to set.

Fire safety

Teach your child not to play with matches or lighters, and
keep matches and lighters out of your child's reach. Also, do not
smoke in your home. Most fires are caused by a lit cigarette that
has not been put out completely.

Sport safety

Children aged eight and older may start playing baseball,
soccer and other sports. Ask your doctor which sports are right
for his or her age. Be sure your child wears the protective
equipment designed for that sport, such as shin pads, mouth
guards, wrist guards, eye protection and helmets. Ask your
child's coach what is needed.

Remember that from the ages of one to four, your child can
walk, run, climb, jump and explore everything. Because of all the
new things he or she can do, this stage is a very dangerous time
in your child's life. It is your responsibility to protect your
child from injury. Your child cannot understand danger or
remember "no" while exploring.

At age five, your child is learning to do many things that can
cause serious injury, such as riding a bicycle or crossing a
street. Although children learn fast, they still cannot judge
what is safe. You must protect your child by constantly
reinforcing safety rules.

From age eight and up, children begin testing their wings and
taking off on their own. They look to friends for approval. They
try to do daring things and they may not want to obey safety
rules. During this transitional age the safety lessons learned at
an earlier age with your help and reminders will keep your child
safe.

Dr. Donya