The importance of child car seat safety

Tawfeeq A. Khoja

Article Details

The importance of child car seat safety

Authors:

Tawfeeq A. Khoja

Publisher:

HBKU Press

Journal:

Journal of Local and Global Health Science Issue 2, pp.0-0

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2015

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001939651

pISSN:

2306-0441

Abstract:

 Provoking the loss of a productive workforce and the waste of economic resources, through death or disability, the social and economic ramifications of road accidents attract the attention of researchers and stakeholders alike. Accidents have detrimental social, health and psychological consequences for families and cause them financial burdens. One of the means of protection against road accidents lies in taking preventive safety measures and educating children about them in order to reduce the risk of exposing children to accidents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Excluding non-communicable diseases, road accidents are the leading cause of death in the Kingdom. The safety belt in the vehicle is the first means of safety while driving. The 1998 Saudi Law on the use of safety belts defines the device as that part which holds the user's body firmly on the seat. On account of the exponential increase in the rate of road accidents and casualties, the need for the use of seatbelts cannot be overemphasized. This does not exclusively concern adults but also children who should be provided with the necessary means of protection and safety. We all learn how to protect our children at home, prevent them from playing with fire and sharp and harmful objects; we cover electric plugs and keep electric appliances away from them, and moderate the temperature of the heater in order to protect our children from being burned. We also learn the basics of first aid to rescue our children in case they are exposed to danger. However, have we ever thought of protecting our children when they are outdoors? Have we ever taught them how to cross the road and how important it is to use the safety belt in the car? Do we actually use it ourselves? Do we use the safety child seat for our children from birth? Have we ever shown them the importance of the car seat? The answer to all these questions is mostly in the negative. In our hectic daily life, and in our desire to reach places quickly, we forget or ignore the importance of safety in the car, and also forget or pretend to have forgotten the basic Islamic principle which urges Muslims to be cautious and, after entrusting our fate to Allah, to make use of all means. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said: “Trust in Allah but tether your camel.” The Holy Koran forbids exposing oneself to harm. Allah, the Almighty, says: “and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction.” This paper examines the importance of the child car seat and its role in safeguarding children. Some of the relevant issues this paper intends to raise include: What are the best types of children's car seats and seatbelts? How should safety seats be used? Can a child use a seatbelt and dispense with the safety seat? What happens when the child safety seat is not available in the vehicle? In addition to other relevant issues, this paper discusses the psychological impact of traffic accidents and the importance of reckoning with the Islamic principle of making use of all.

Article Details

The importance of child car seat safety

Authors: Tawfeeq A. Khoja

Publisher: HBKU Press

Journal: Journal of Local and Global Health Science Issue 2, pp.0-0

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 12/2015

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001939651

pISSN: 2306-0441

Issues

Authors:

Tawfeeq A. Khoja

Publisher:

HBKU Press

Journal:

Journal of Local and Global Health Science Issue 2, pp.0-0

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2015

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001939651

pISSN:

2306-0441