Are
seat belts a must when traveling by car?
Seat belts provide important protection to you and your
baby. It is not enough to rely on an airbag for protection.
Airbags work with seatbelts, not replace them. A pregnant
woman who is not wearing a seatbelt can be thrown into
a rapidly opening air bag, something that can be harmful
or even fatal to mother and baby. Some tips on buckling
up safely:
• Make sure that the shoulder belt is positioned
between your breasts and away from your neck. Don't
place the shoulder belt behind your back or under your
arm
• Make sure the lap belt is snugly positioned
across your hips and pelvis, below your belly. If the
belt is too loose or too high, you can risk broken ribs
or injuries to your belly. Do not assume that seat belt
is not necessary; if you can sustain such injuries with
a belt on, imagine how hard you would hit the dashboard
or the steering wheel if you were not wearing the belt
• Try to keep your seat at least 10 inches back
from the dashboard.
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