Happening Parents

“My kid is very smart and curious about everything.  I carry him in the front seat with me so that he can see the sights.”

“My kid screams and cries every time we put him in a car seat.  We gave up putting him in the car seat as he kicks up such a big fuss and everyone ends up in a bad mood!  So we compromise and I carry him in the backseat where it is safer.”

“My husband and I keep quarrelling over putting our baby in the car seat.  It’s just so troublesome/disruptive to take a sleeping baby in and out of it.”

What is most important to you? 

1. Convenience?
2. The child’s safety?
3. The child’s wants?
4. Peace and quiet?

Unless you have an angelic baby who will accept the world as it is.  Most parents will have to go through a fairly traumatic time getting their child accustomed to travelling in a car safety seat.

The Singapore law:

It is also compulsory for all adults to be belted up regardless of whether they are in the front or back seat of the car.  The driver faces a penalty of 3 demerit points and $120 fine if he does not use a seat belt, and another 3 demerit points and $120 fine if he does not ensure that his passengers are belted up.

It is compulsory for children under the age of 8 and under the height of 1.5m to be in a safety seat as they are not tall enough to use the safety belt safely.

School busses ferrying children are required to be retrofitted with re-tractable 3 point harnesses by 2013.

Why belt up?

Safety belts provide 3 types of protection to their users. 

1. They concentrate the deceleration forces on the strongest part of the human body so that you can sustain the forces of a crash without serious injury.
2. They reduce the potential for injury with the interior parts of the car.  E.g. dashboard, car seat, window, door etc.
3. They prevent you from flying out of the car in a car crash, which reduces the severity of your injuries, thereby increasing your survival chances.

If an adult can be seriously hurt in an accident, it is even more critical for your infant/child to be in a car safety seat as they will not have the reflexes to brace themselves against injury in a sudden crash. 

Safety Tips

1. Be a good role model. Make sure you always wear your seat belt. This will help your child form a lifelong habit of buckling up.
2.  Safety car seat belts should have at least a 3-point or 5-point harness system for infants and children.  This ensures upper and lower body restraint at 2 of the strongest parts of the body – the rib cage and the pelvis. 
3.  The newer car models also come with a safety latch that you can use to tether the car seat to the main frame of the car.  This ensures that the car seat (with your baby) does not fly out of the car in a crash.  Do also ensure that your infant/child will not be able to undo the buckle of their car seat without aid.
4.  Car seats should be placed directly behind the front seats.  Do not place the car seat in the centre as objects that crash through the windscreen or are propelled by the activation of the front airbag can kill your child.
5.  Never leave your child alone in or around cars. Any of the following can happen when a child is left alone in or around a vehicle:
   • Temperatures can reach deadly levels in minutes, and the child can die of heat stroke.
   • He can be strangled by power windows, sunroofs, or accessories.
   • He can knock the vehicle into gear, setting it in motion.
   • He can be backed over when the vehicle backs up.
   • He can become trapped in the trunk of the vehicle.

Tips for Travelling with kids

Travelling with young children can be stressful, even for short distances. Here are some tips to entertain your little ones.

Before setting out

1. Make sure your child is secure in an approved seat belt or child restraint
2. Stock up on wet wipes, tissue, water, snacks, plastic bags and extra clean clothes for emergencies. You can also bring a soft blanket or soft toy to cuddle in case your kid needs to sleep.
3. Make sure that the car temperature is comfortable for your child. Use a sunshade to keep the sun off your child’s face.  Ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in the backseat.  Oftentimes, we do not realize how warm or stuffy it can get in the backseat, which can lead to children fussing.

On the Road

1. Keep a supply of games, puzzles, music CDs and safe travel toys in the car to help prevent boredom.  The latest is the in-car visual entertainment system, but this may be bad for their eyesight over a prolonged period.
2. Play some road games, e.g. ask your child to look for certain licence plates, vehicle types, count the trees, guess when the lights will change, spot the tallest/shortest/most colourful/most beautiful buildings, etc.
3. For older children, provide them with a map beforehand and point out interesting landmarks to them as you drive along or ask them to navigate.
4. Do not over-feed your child to prevent upset stomach and car sickness.
5. Avoid milk or sweet drinks that can make them sick or hyper-active.
6. Avoid oily and heavy food
7. Avoid introducing new foods that may cause allegies.
8. Plan some breaks along the way. They need to go to the toilet or get out and run off some of that energy
9. Never leave your child alone inside the car for any length of time.
10. If possible, an adult can sit next to the child who is properly seated in a child restraint seat to engage the child in play/story telling.

 See http://driving-in-singapore.spf.gov.sg/services/Driving_in_Singapore/Faq/seatbeltfaq.htm#why for more information.