We are in the European Mobility Week, it sure sounds like you because today the Car-Free Day was celebrated, but the action that took place yesterday to make the campaign visible is even more relevant Not a little more in danger, known on twitter by the hashtag #yoviajoseguro. Different entities and specialists have been participating in the media for more than 24 hours to tell us that the only way for a child to travel safely in the car is 'backwards'.
Many of us were moved by Gabriel's father's words: Gabriel died 7 months after becoming pentaplegic. The collision another vehicle caused with his father's car resulted in an internal dislocation of the first cervical vertebra. Gabriel left this world, but the outcome of a perhaps inevitable accident would not have been the same if he had been traveling rear-facing. Because pro-gait child restraint systems (AFM) hold the child, but are 'not safe'. And it is our obligation to speak about this delicate subject.
Gabriel was only 2 and a half years old and left his parents, his little sister (a baby at the time) and his grandparents in this world; now we fight to make it become the legend of the Green Wave, but this will only happen when ALL children under 4 years old travel in the opposite direction of travel. There are studies to demonstrate the risks of SRI AFMs, but who tells us these things when we go looking for a child safety seat? We had already explained it here, although it is good to repeat that in Sweden and Norway traveling against the march is the only option at that age; And it is no coincidence that there, child deaths from car accidents between the ages of 0 and 4 are news of the past.
Physics rules.
Our rule only obliges us that children travel on their back until they are 15 months old, and as a curiosity we can contribute that the AFM chairs that we use when children are very young do not exceed (no matter how famous the brand is) a very demanding test that takes into account the impact of the collision in an area of extreme fragility such as the neck of children. Marta Erill is a mom, blogger (A mom from another planet) and physiotherapist surprises us when he remembers that the weight of a child's head is 20 to 25 percent of his total body, phew! It is food for thought and at the same time this information should make us rethink our children's road safety. I don't have to explain to you that in the event of an impact, the little head practically 'shoots up' and all the weight falls on a neck that is still very fragile.
We would have to ask ourselves why ignore the results of the studies? Why not aspire to imitate the best? Isn't it the most precious thing we mothers and fathers have? The problem is disinformation and the lack of normality in the presence and use of these SRIs that are placed against the direction of travel. Do you know only 1 percent of parents with babies in those ages use them. There is no single reason, but there are many 'manias' that spread, and they do not respond to reality; as for example that the child who travels like this does not 'have sight', 'that they get dizzy', etc. This video released by the campaign is in charge of denying them.
AFM chairs are not safe before 4 years of age.
With the information in hand, one realizes that such a statement is completely true. Cristina Barroso, who is a spokesperson for the Swedish model and a fighter for this cause (as well as a consultant on child restraint systems), qualify these devices as 'dangerous', whatever the manufacturer tells you. To avoid head oscillation in the event of a crash, the only solution is for the child to go in the opposite direction.
And by the way, to update and remember the information, comment that there comes a time (from the age of 4) when we change the child, and it will be a 2/3 group, up to 135 centimeters, although ideally up to 150. Do not forget either that children who measure less than 1,35 meters, must travel behind them..
Yesterday was a Day to remember those who die on the road, and to raise demands, to make visible; we will not stop thinking about Gabriel, how his little sister and his parents long for him. And we will not tire of pushing until the day comes when all the girls and all the boys travel safely..
Images - Allstate Blog, Centimeter News
More information - Against the march