DOHA: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has reminded parents that child passengers not restrained with proper car seats in vehicles, are at a high risk of serious and fatal injuries from accidents.
Parents and other members of the community are encouraged to have their child car seats checked for free by nationally certified child passenger safety technicians, who can be approached during safety events sponsored by Safe Kids Qatar, or by sending a message through the Kulluna website www.kulluna.qa
As part of its Kulluna child health and safety campaign, HMC is raising awareness of the issue as “many countries, including Qatar, do not have legislation mandating the use of car safety seats,” according to Dr Khalid Abdulnoor Saifeldeen, Chairman, Kulluna Health and Safety Campaign, and Director, Hamad International Training Centre (HITC).
“Kulluna has been working to address safety issues concerning children and has developed Safe Kids Qatar in partnership with Safe Kids Worldwide, a US-based international non-governmental organization specialising in child safety, and ConocoPhillips Qatar, the founding sponsor of Kulluna,” he said.
Ordinary car seats and restraints are designed for adults and children above 12, depending on their size, he said.
“Younger children require specific car seats because they are different in terms of size, and standard car seats do not protect them in the best possible way.
“An ordinary car seat belt can be dangerous because it can get caught on the neck of a child or cause internal damage,” he said, adding car safety seats are designed based on evidence and research.
“Safe Kids Qatar has trained over 40 child passenger safety technicians within the community who educate parents and other members of the public on choosing the right car seat and using it correctly,” he added.
Dr Saifeldeen urged parents and other family members never to leave children unattended in enclosed spaces such as cars, particularly during the hot season, as temperatures inside a car can rise quickly and cause heatstroke.
He also urged all community members to be vigilant about children’s safety.
“If you pass by a car and notice a child sitting alone in it, raise an alarm — ask around for the parents, and if there is a need, call authorities. We all play a part in keeping children safe from danger.”
The Peninsula
