Here is why child seats are a must when you go on a family road, trip

Motor Matters

- Yvonne Jacob

The festive season is perfect for heading out on a road trip with your family. While you ensure that your family is all buckled up in the front and back seat, there’s another factor you need to consider if you have your little one on board. In India, most families go for long trips with the kids seated on an adult’s lap. While this may seem like a space-saving option that allows you to check on your child when needed, the practice can actually jeopardise your child’s safety in case of a mishap. To avoid this, installing a child seat in your car is recommended. Here’s why.

WHY IS A CHILD SEAT IMPORTANT?

A well-padded child seat gives your little one proper head support and ensures they have a comfortable journey. “Some child seats also come with special energy-absorbing foam and a wide range of features for complete protection of your baby. This reduces side impact in the case of an accident. Proper child seats reduce the risk of injury or death by 75% compared to seat belts or no restraints,” says social activist Mithun Vijay Kumar, who works in the area of road safety.

WHY SHOULD A CHILD NOT BE SEATED IN THE FRONT SEAT?