One question that expectant parents often consider: how they will keep their baby safe in the car? Should they use an infant car seat? Will a convertible car seat be just as safe? Should they get a travel system? Yet one of the most important questions that parents can ask, but often don’t, is how THEY can be safe in the car.
The first and most important point is for all adult occupants in the car to ALWAYS wear their seat belt. A seat belt which is worn over both the hips and across the chest (a lap and shoulder belt) gives more protection than a seat belt that just has belt across the hips (a lap belt).
One reason that expectant mothers often give for not wearing their seat belt is that they are unsure how they should wear it. To wear the seat belt correctly, make sure the lap portion is as far as possible below the mother’s belly. Check frequently that this belt stays in place, not resting on the belly. Never have the seat belt above or on the mother’s belly. Also, the seat belt works as a system. Never place the seat belt underneath the arm or behind the back. Make sure too, that the entire belt is snug on the mother. If it is cold outside, the mother may have to open her winter coat, or take it off entirely, to make sure that the seat belt fits correctly. It is important that the mother not only wear the seat belt, but wear it correctly. In a crash, the biggest threat to an unborn baby is an injury to the mother.
Other things to consider are the steering wheel and airbags. Expectant mothers must sit as far away from the steering wheel and airbag as possible, while still feeling comfortable enough to drive. If possible, tilt the steering wheel towards the chest. Hitting the steering wheel in a crash can cause serious injury to the mother and/or unborn baby. Sitting in front of an air bag gives additional protection to the occupant, however, the newest generation of airbags deploy at 200 m.p.h., so parents want to be about 11 inches (the size of a sheet of paper) away from the airbag. Expectant mothers may have to adjust their seats multiple times during the pregnancy to keep this distance. Keep in mind that the seat belt and air bag are designed to work with each other to keep the occupant safe. Airbags don’t replace the seat belt as a safety device; they are an added layer of safety.
If possible, it is best to let other people do more of the driving, especially in the last trimester of pregnancy. When the expectant mother rides in the car, the back seat is about 35% safer for her if a lap and shoulder belt is there.
Finally, if the expectant mother is in a crash, even if it is a minor crash, she should get medical attention immediately. The unborn baby could be injured, possibly seriously, even if the mother appears to be unharmed.
Expectant parents should also know that they must secure their child safely in a car seat at all times. First, purchase a rear-facing car seat and install it in the back seat, never in front of an active airbag. It is the law in Connecticut that infants have to be both over one year old AND over 20 pounds before they legally can be forward-facing. Be wary of used car seats. They may not be safe. Some issues with used car seat include having been in a crash, having missing parts, having been recalled for safety defects, having parts in the wrong place or being expired.
A baby should never be held in someone’s arms while traveling in the car. A 10 pound baby in a 40 m.p.h. crash exerts 400 pounds of force. Parents would never be able to hold their baby against that force.
If you have questions about how your car seat is installed, have it checked by a certified car seat technician at least one month before the baby is due. A list of fitting stations and car seat clinics is available at www.ctsafekids.org.
Overall, it is important that everyone travel safely in the car, no matter how short the distance traveled. Make sure everyone is buckled up appropriately, every time.