How They Save Lives

Do you snap in your seat belt as soon as you get in the car? Do your children have the right safety seats for their weight and age? If you've answered no, even just once, you need to read on.

It has repeatedly proven that, on the back roads and fast roads: seat belt can save lives in a car accident. According to the Department of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it is saved more than 15,000 people annually in the United States because of the drivers and passengers were wearing seat belts when they were in accidents.

Safety seat belt: 5 in the direction of protecting

"Seat belts prevent occupants from serious injury in five ways," says Angela Osterhuber, director of prevention project of road traffic injuries Pennsylvania in the media, Ba seat belt:

It keeps the car's occupants inside. "It's clearly a myth that people are better off being thrown clear of the crash," says Osterhuber. "People were thrown from a car are more likely to be killed than those who remain within the four times."

It restricts the strongest parts of the body. "Restrictions are designed to connect to your body in the most powerful of its parts. For older children and adults, these parts are the hips and shoulders, and that is where should buckle up," says Osterhuber.

Spread any force of the collision. "The spread of lap belts and shoulder strength collision over a wide area of ​​the body. Using less pressure on any one area mode, they can help you avoid serious injury," says Osterhuber. Shoulder strap also helps keep your head and the upper part of the body away from the dashboard and steering wheel, and other solid interior parts for cars you should suddenly stop or be hit by another vehicle.

It helps the body to slow down. "What causes infection? Quick change in speed," says Osterhuber. "Seat belts help to prolong the time it takes you to slow down in a plane crash."

It protects the brain and spinal cord. The seat belt is designed to protect these two critical areas. "Head injuries may be difficult to see immediately, but it can be fatal," says Osterhuber. Similarly, spinal cord injuries have serious consequences.

Safety seat belt: fasten seatbelt properly

Adjust the seat belt properly is a must: Getting the right fit is as important as wearing it. Belt passes through the lap should fit snugly on the hips and upper thigh area. "If the belt rides up on the stomach and can cause serious injuries in a plane crash," says Osterhuber.

Shoulder belts should rest securely across the chest and shoulders between your breasts. Do not ever let the fall of the belt across the neck or face and never put belt under your arms or behind your back. "Any one of these situations can cause serious injury," said Osterhuber.

Safety seat belt: the rules for infants and children

Children are not small adults - they need to be specialized in a moving vehicle protection. He stressed that "skeletal different," says Osterhuber. Age, height and weight to determine the safest way for children to travel.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, here's how to choose the right option for your child:

Rear-facing child safety seat. Children under the age of 1 and those who weigh less than 20 pounds should sit in rear-facing, child safety seats approved by the National Department of Highway Traffic Safety (NHTSA). Seats should be placed in the back seat of the car.

A forward-facing child safety seat. You must be older than one of children who weigh more than 20 pounds ride in a forward-facing child safety seats. You should be placed in the back seat of the car until the child reaches the weight or the height of the upper limit of the particular seat. Usually, the child will outgrow the safety seat at the age of 4, and once they reach about 40 pounds.

Seat Ripper. Children must be at the age of 4 and older who weigh more than 40 pounds to ride in booster seats. A child can progress safely to the seat belt when the belt fits properly across the thighs and chest. "These are usually at age 8 or when they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall," says Osterhuber.

Seat belt. When children outgrow their booster seats, they can use seat belts, but still should sit in the back of the car. "Really, all children should ride in the back seat of the car until at least 13 years," says Osterhuber.

Safety seat belt: a clear message

According to the National Safety Council in the recent decline in traffic deaths for 2008, which indicates a record level since the 1920s when it began to publish statistical reports. One reason for the decline is due to the increased use of seat belts.

It only takes a few seconds to buckle up once you get in the car. Why is not it?