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:
1. 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
2. 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
3. Try to keep your seat at least 10 inches back
from the dashboard |
