THE Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA) wishes to address a recent and tragic incident in which a child was thrown out of a moving vehicle due to the absence of a child car seat.
This unfortunate accident underscores the paramount importance of child car seats in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our youngest passengers.
Recently, a child was ejected from a car that was making a U-turn. It was believed that the child was not strapped to the child car seat.
This incident serves as a heart-wrenching reminder of the grave risks children face when they are not properly secured in an appropriate child car seat.
Child car seats are specifically designed to provide children with the highest level of protection during motor vehicle journeys.
They are an essential safety measure for children, and have been proven to reduce the risk of injury and fatality in the event of a collision.
The safety of our children should always be our top priority. Child car seats are engineered to protect our little ones from serious injuries and save lives.
We cannot emphasise enough how vital it is for parents and caregivers to use child car seats on every car journey.
Child car seats are designed to match the age, weight, and height of the child to ensure optimal protection. It is critical that these seats are used correctly and installed properly.
The MPA urges parents and caregivers to seek guidance on the proper installation of child car seats to maximise their effectiveness.
The MPA calls on all parents and caregivers to:
- Prioritise children’s safety by using appropriate child car seats for every car journey;
- Ensure that child car seats are correctly installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions; and
- Stay informed about the latest child car seat safety guidelines and regulations in Malaysia.
By adhering to these safety measures, we can help prevent tragic incidents and protect the lives of our most vulnerable passengers. – The Vibes, October 24, 2023
Dr Mohamad Ikram Ilias is the president of the Malaysian Paediatric Association
