QUESTION: I read an answer about crossing seatbelts over to take care of three kids in your column.
However, I have another real concern that stemmed from your answer.
How safe are car seat belts for small children?
ANSWER: Seat belts are not particularly safe for small children, but they are safer than nothing.
Small children (those under age 4 or under 40 pounds in weight) should be strapped into federally approved child car seats.
These seats will help keep a child from being thrown violently within the car during an accident.
Children's car seats are available in sizes to fit infants and toddlers and should be used each time the child is in a car.
In some states, it is the law that a child must be in a car seat or strapped in at all times. If a car seat is not available, strapping a child in with a lap seat belt is better than not using anything.
A small child is very top heavy.
Their heads are the heaviest part of their bodies.
If a car is stopped suddenly, the unrestrained child is thrown forward and a serious head injury or death is often the result.
In a severe accident, an unrestrained child can fly around the car like a rag doll.
Remember, car accidents are one of the leading killers of our children. The best answer, of course, is to do the right thing, do it right, and do it regularly.
That may mean buying an extra child's car seat or two, but it's the only way I know of preventing the tragedy that can occur when youngsters are not properly buckled up in devices that have been engineered to protect them.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
