Motor safety - Parenting Hub

Advice from the experts

Foppapedretti Babyroad 9-36

Foppapedretti is one of Europe’s leading baby travel brands, having creatively and technically mastered the market with over 70 years of dedication to baby products under their belt. Trusted by moms around the globe, Foppa (as it’s affectionately know), is now a go-to name when it comes to child travel, not to mention their furniture and baby décor. The Babyroad 9-36 is the perfect mid-price car seat and is approved for groups 1, 2 and 3 (from 9 to 36 kg). The anatomic seat has an adjustable headrest, removable and washable padded shoulder protection, adjustable 5-point seat belt and double-sided internal reducers for all the various colours available. The weight category of the Babyroad 9-36 makes it perfect for children from about 9 months old to approximately 12 years of age. The Babyroad 9-36 retails on average at R2300 and is available at Hamleys stores, www.cleverlittlemonkey.co.za, selected Kids Emporium stores, www.thebabyzone.co.za, www.takealot.com, www.loot.co.za and www.purplepepperz.com

August 3, 2018

Last minute shopping for your hospital bag – don’t forget the car seat!

Being an expectant mom or dad is an exciting time for both parents, whether it’s your first and even your third child. However, as you count down to the arrival of your little one, it’s important to remember to pack the correct essentials for the arrival of the new bambino. This is often a daunting task for new parents but it doesn’t have to be. While packing your bag, consider the bare essentials that you will need during your hospital stay and, more importantly, for the first trip home with your little one. In fact, the safety of your infant should take priority when thinking of what you need to pack and so – not only for your first trip home, but while traveling anywhere else – a car seat is one of the most important things to pack when getting ready to bring your baby home. In fact, did you know that it is illegal for an adult to travel with a child in a car that is younger than three years without being strapped into a car seat? The consequences of driving with children who are unrestrained are far reaching, where children can be killed or seriously injured, even in the slightest collision. It therefore comes as no surprise that many private hospitals have included a clause that no newborn children may leave the hospital premises without them being strapped into an infant car seat. It is therefore, important that, as an expectant parent, you are educated around your child’s safety, while on the road. Here are a few tips to consider when purchasing a car seat: How reputable is the brand of the infant seat you have chosen? When purchasing a car seat – one thing that most people consider is the brand reputation, by reviewing what is being said about a specific product either online or from a family or friends’ experience on a specific product. It is important to do your research and make sure that inferior products are not being sold locally – this means understanding which brands are leading and which are inferior. If it seems too good to be true it probably is. Is the car seat correct for the weight and height of your baby? Height and weight are key factors to consider when selecting the right car seat for your child. It is not about age but rather about their specific frame – given that not all age-similar children are the same in height and weight. Below is a guide to which car seat your child should be using – depending on their weight and height: Group 0 seats are designed for babies from birth to 9kg, Group 0+ seats are designed for babies from birth to 13kg Group 1 seats are designed for toddlers weighing between 9kg to 18kg Group 2 seats are designed for children from 18kg or absolute minimum of 15kg Once your child has outgrown the highest adjustment of the booster seat, your child should sit on a “bum” booster until they are 1.5 metres or taller As a parent – will you be able to safely strap your baby into the seat when required, and do you know how to strap them in correctly? Strapping your children in correctly is by far one of the most important factors when purchasing a car seat. In most instances, you would choose the one that is easy to install and uninstall however, it is critically important that you know exactly how to strap the actual car seat into the vehicle, as well as that you understand how the buckle system on your child’s car seat works. There is no point of having a car seat if it is not strapped in correctly, or if your child is not buckled up as per the instructions. How much does it cost – is this really a factor? You definitely can’t put a price on your child’s safety however, the good news is that you don’t have to. While there are a number of retail outlets that sell a range of car seats (from very expensive to reasonably affordable), there are also outlets where you can buy/donate money towards a refurbished car seat which has been safety checked, cleaned and as good as new. Rather take this route to save costs if you need to, than settle for an unknown brand that may compromise your child’s safety. These are all important considerations that you need on hand, to safe guard your little one when travelling. The benefits of having your child strapped in a secure car seat cannot be stressed enough – here are a few key aspects: The seat provides comfort and protection When fitted in a rear-facing position the baby does not feel any potential harsh breaking The straps will keep the baby secure and steady from unwanted movements that might be harmful in the event of an accident/minor bumper bashing The cushion of the seat is water resistant and can help in cases where their nappies might leak or milk and juice might spill during travel. Always make your child’s safety a priority, no matter the circumstance or situation, as your child is dependent on you as a parent to safe guard them from potential harm. So, while you are doing your last-minute shopping for the hospital stay remember to make an appropriate car seat purchase a top of mind priority! By Niki Cronje, Group Marketing at Imperial Road Safety

October 5, 2017

How to Coach a Teen to Drive Safely

Our youngest turned 16 this year and before too long, she’ll be driving. We already have a used car parked in our driveway that will be getting a tune up, new tires and a full inspection. We didn’t pay much for it and I wouldn’t trust it on long trips, but it will become her transportation to get her to school and to work and back. And each day she leaves the driveway, my wife and I will cross our fingers and say a few prayers, even though she has older brothers who set out on this same journey ahead of her. One reason for our parental worry is what we learned from a recent guest who appeared on my parenting television show at the Enfield Cox studios. Tim Hollister of Connecticut lost his 17-year-old son Reid in a driving accident in 2006. Since that tragic incident, Mr. Hollister wrote the book “Not So Fast: Parenting Your Teen Through the Dangers of Driving.” Visit Mr. Hollister’s Website, http://www.FromReidsDad.org. As the national authority and spokesperson for safer teen driving, Tim Hollister will tell you that he thought he had everything covered as far as training and coaching his son when it came to driving skills. The two most important things that Tim shared with me in the interview: avoid allowing your teen to take passengers and discourage joyriding. The reason is that in the first year of your teen’s driving experience, driving without intention and for just the joy of driving around increases the dangers to your teen. In his book, he offers parents the following tips for coaching your teen through the first few years of driving: DON’T BE BLIND TO THE DANGERS All too often, parents find it difficult to accept the fact that their teen could be at risk. They suffer from the ‘halo effect’ in a sense and believe that, “It couldn’t happen to my child, she’s a very safe driver.” Keep your child safe by accepting that the dangers exist and establish rules and boundaries around the privilege of driving. ENGAGE EVERYTIME YOUR TEEN DRIVES AWAY Mr. Hollister advises parents to know where their teen is headed, what route he is taking, the current traffic and weather conditions, his mental state, the return trip, if there are passengers, and more. It’s a fact that teenagers do not have the cognitive capacity to take all of these preparations into consideration, but the parent does. THE TEEN DRIVING AGREEMENT Every parent should draft an agreement that clearly states the dangers, and lists rules and consequences of the violation of those rules. But its primary purpose is to initiate calm and productive conversations about driving, conduct and expectations. It should also be signed and reviewed regularly to keep the important content in the forefront of the teen’s conscious thinking.

May 9, 2017

Have You Prioritised Your Child’s Safety While in the Car?

Grant Fraser, Product and Marketing Director at Matrix, a brand of MiX Telematics (Africa) As a parent in South Africa, one of the most daunting and frightening aspects is how to prioritise your child’s safety while at home, in the car, at school – wherever and whenever. Yet, while you may resort to all available solutions, you are still left wondering whether you have done enough – right? The reality is that no matter how much you do, unfortunately we live in a high crime society and as such, you and your children are very often at risk. We hear so many parents talking about what they would do if they were involved in a hijacking situation and how they would ensure they get their kids safely out of the car. While this is something no one wants to think about – and you would hope that you are never in this situation – this is a step in the right direction when it comes to vehicle safety. Of course, securing your children in the correct height appropriate car seat is critical, but having a plan of action in place for the unexpected is just as important. Technology has defined the vehicle safety space with the latest in vehicle tracking and personal safety solutions. Today, vehicle tracking is no longer just a black box in your car – it now provides parents with peace of mind that not only are their vehicles safe, but so too are their family’s – be it from school, from home, or travelling around town. Let’s take a look at some of the innovations that are ensuring safer journeys for you and your family: Vehicle tracking and recovery – We all understand the importance of owning a tracking device to recover our cars should they be stolen, but have you considered the importance of such tracking should one of your children be stuck in the car when stolen? With a reliable tracking device, through a company with a strong track record, you are able to track your vehicle every step of the way – priceless, if you consider the final outcome. Real-time vehicle monitoring – Monitoring your vehicle via your cell phone, no matter if you are inside the vehicle or elsewhere, makes it easier for your spouse to check in on you and your family, if he/she is concerned about your whereabouts. Early warning alerts – You will receive ‘early warning’ alerts if there is any unauthorised movement of your vehicle. This type of early warning can negate you walking to your car and straight into a vehicle theft situation. Geo-fences – When travelling, families can customise their own safety zones – indicating when they are in a dangerous area. Alerts can be generated and shared via your smartphone, allowing family members to know when you enter unsafe areas. Crash Alert – Certain tracking devices include an impact sensor with Crash Alert functionality that will instantaneously send an alert to a 24/7 Operations Centre. Features such as this are critical when time counts and while it is not something you would usually think of, a feature like this can mean the difference between life and death – whether yours or your children’s. So, this year, think about how you can further prioritise your and your child’s safety while on the road. Identify key aspects that would help you make quicker, more informed decisions and understand that only through a proactive approach to safety can you truly mitigate your risk or, at the very least, ensure you have sight of your vehicle – should the unexpected happen.

February 6, 2017

Belt up or else ….. Car safety for our kids

South Africans follow trends in first world countries for so many other things, gadgets, cars and technology to name a few. I was curious to find out what the latest news was on car safety. Daily we see accidents on our roads and our ears are bombarded with horrendous statistics in the news. The Medical Research Council states that car crashes are the leading cause of injury and/or deaths among children under the age of five years – but do we actually modify our habits? Daily we can see toddlers jumping around on the back seats or standing between the two front seats. Is it any wonder our children do not survive the impact? Over the years I have spoken on this topic with many parents who say “ I can’t handle another screaming match about car seats” “I don’t have time for a fight before we get in the car” “ Anything for peace”. As a coach, I have worked with many parents who have lost a child due to an “accident”, a drowning, a car accident, a child who ran out into the street. The list of regrets, “what if’s” and “If only’s” parents have is nothing less than self–torture as the mourn the loss of their child. If it is against the law for us not to be wearing seat belts as adults, why do we think our children should not be appropriately restrained? If we as parents say our children are the most precious things in our lives, why do we not give them the greatest protection in the most dangerous of situations? When my now grown up children got their drivers license, I was thrilled for them that they had achieved their rite of passage to independent mobility but I also told them they now “had a license to kill”. That might sound rather macabre but what I wanted them to understand was that being behind the wheel of a car, is one of the most responsible and dangerous can take on. As parents we have a responsibility to ensure that our children are as safe as possible wherever they are. Children will follow what we do if we give them clear instructions and clear boundaries on what issues are non- negotiable. My children new that “Mom’s car did not go if everyone was not in their car seat with belts on. Its not to say we didn’t have a fight or tears occasionally but I would not turn the car on until seat-belts were on! Once the children were old enough to do up their own car seats, we would make it a race between them and I would just check it was locked properly. Older sister helping younger sister was another way to teach them how important this process was. On one occasion I remember driving through the suburbs, my girls were about 5 and 7 years old and having an argument over something seemingly unimportant. The 7 year old decided she needed to prove a point and got out of her seat and the 5 year old screamed “Mommy, Hannah’s getting out of her strap”. I asked her to get back into her seat immediately, she refused, the issue with her sister was of great importance! I checked in the mirror, and pulled over and parked. I turned to both of the girls and said” I would not be driving again until they were both in their car seats”. They were eager to get to their swimming lesson but we were going no where until they were both safely in their car seats again. Even now they refer back to the day Mom stopped the car! It was also a universal rule – any person who travelled in our Kombi had to wear a seatbelt. Plenty of first time refusals of friends, became compliant around this rule in our car. While I love children of all ages to be curious, question, explore possibilities and engage in discussion, play and adventure there are a few things in life which are non-negotiable – car seats and seat belts is one of them – they save lives. A new law in SA on May 1st 2015 Motorists who have children under the age of three unrestrained in their vehicle will be fined. I am not sure that this new law will make us compliant as drivers. I hope that the desire for your child to live a long and healthy purposeful life will be sufficient to motivate you to do the right thing from day one! And when you get the natural resistance of the toddler and pre-schooler, that you will provide the next size of safety car seat which will keep her safe until she can use the adult seatbelt. Be safe rather than sorry!

November 8, 2016

Buckle Up

I’m quite shocked as I drive around town just how many parents have their kids running wild in the car, particularly when the parents themselves are strapped in. Aside from the fact that it is illegal, and if your child does die in an accident where they were not strapped in you are legally up for manslaughter, yes, aside from this, it seems counterintuitive to me that parents would buckle up themselves and not think to look out for the safety of their precious offspring. For a while, I drove around with a sign in my back window that said, “Do you love your child? Then why are they not wearing a seatbelt?” When I’ve actually confronted people about this, the most common reason they give is that the kids don’t like wearing a seatbelt or being in a car chair and that they scream or have tantrums and they just can’t deal with it every time they get in the car. And I can totally relate. My own kids went through a phase of screaming when being strapped in (and sometimes for the entire journey) and when you’re sleep deprived and overworked this can be too much for your frazzled nerves to handle. And I still say… You are the parent, and there are times that you need to put your foot down. There are going to be many more moments in your parenting journey where your kids will not be happy with the decisions that you make, and the sooner they understand that you are the parent and it is your job to keep them safe whether they like that or not, the better. I love negotiating with my kids and teaching them how to make a strong argument for things that they would like changed. However, some rules are simply non-negotiable. And safety needs to be non-negotiable. I promise you that they will not scream every time they get strapped in for the rest of their lives. They will do it a couple of times and once they realise that it is a non-negotiable and that you are not going to be swayed by tantrums, they will stop. If you need some incentive to actually enforce this life-saving safety routine, here is some shocking, but essential information from the Child Accident Prevention Foundation: Passenger deaths in children are the 4th leading cause of unnatural deaths in South Africa, and that’s not even looking at paralysis, disabilities or other injuries. An adult is guilty of a criminal offence if he/she should allow a child younger than 14 years to travel unrestrained in a motor vehicle. That’s a criminal offence, not a traffic fine. At 25km/hour a child sitting or standing next to the driver can be killed in an emergency stop if its head hits the windscreen/interior of the car. Yes, you read that correctly – 25km/hour. At 40km/hour the blow to a child’s head is the same as dropping him/her from 6 meters onto concrete. We are not talking about speeding down the highway to Durban here – we’re talking trips down the road to school. Please, please rethink the safety of your incredible, beautiful, awesome children and buckle up. The discomfort you’ll have the deal with when they have those few tantrums in the car is nothing compared to the suffering you’ll endure if your child is killed or disabled because you didn’t want to insist on safety first. We can all save lives, and it starts with our own kids… after all, aren’t the lives you created the ones you’d most like to save?!

July 18, 2016

Keeping your kids safe when you cannot drive them yourself

Thanks to busy schedules, various extra-murals and other social appointments, kids spend a lot of time on the road, and many families rely on additional help to get everyone to their activities on time. How can you be assured of your kids safety when picked up by anyone but yourself? 1. Keep your kids informed As far as possible, always ensure that your kids are well-informed of the transport arrangements. Age permitting, provide as much information about the person who will be collecting them, including names, brief description of the person and their car and if possible the registration number of the vehicle. 2. Have a “Family Safety Code” for emergencies It does happen sometimes, that a last-minute arrangement has to be made and you are unable to inform your kids in advance about the person that will collect them. Whatever the reason may be, one safety tool that is advocated by many child safety experts, is a family code word. This is a word or phrase that is only known by the parents and children, and in emergency cases shared with the specific person. If a stranger approaches your child and says “Your Mom sent me to pick you up”, he or she can ask the stranger for the code word before getting in the car. There are however several challenges to consider when picking a Safety Code. 3. Embrace Technology Although it is the root of many evils when it comes to driving, modern technology available on Smart Phones can greatly assist with passenger and driver safety. Consider one of the following: · Applications to discourage or deactivate phone activity The options are unlimited, but we’ve tested FOCUS – Screen Free Driving (only available for IOS, but similar apps for other platforms available). It automatically starts up when you’re driving. If you pick up your phone and look at the screen, you’ll be prompted by a voice to put it down and focus on the road. Additional features include sending driver reports via email and allowing “passenger mode” for when you’re not the driver. · Applications to track driving behavior AAMI Safe Driver App records your journeys and analyses your driving behavior. It then provides you with a driving score and feedback relating to the length of trips, speed acceleration, braking and phone usage. The higher your score, the safer driver you are considered to be.

May 19, 2016

Moms and Dads – we need your support!

IMPERIAL Road Safety, together with Wheel Well, would like to call on all moms and dads in the Gauteng region, to donate car seats they no longer use in the aim of giving a child the gift of safety this year. This outreach forms part of Imperial Road Safety’s continued annual outreach in the form of the Car Seats for Kids Campaign. The campaign, launched in 2012, has embarked on various collection drives across the country in a bid to collect pre-owned car seats from South Africans. The campaign has been a phenomenal success, having distributed over 5 490 car seats since its inception, and in 2015 alone, collected 1 486 seats which were later donated (for a small fee) to parents that can’t afford them or haven’t yet realised their importance. All car seats collected from the generous public are re-upholstered, safety checked and cleaned by Wheel Well, a non-profit organisation based in the Brightwater Commons, before distribution to ensure they are user friendly and defect free. So go on, make a difference to a family in need! Drop off your old car seats to anyone one of these locations, to assist us in contributing towards child safety on the roads: Wheel Well: Shop U108, Entrance 4, Brightwater Commons, Republic Road, Ferndale, Randburg, Johannesburg, 2125 Operating hours: 09:00 – 17:00 Monday – Friday 09:00 – 13:00 Saturday Telephone: 072 385 7121/ 073 393 7356 River Hawk Spur: Coachman’s Crossing, Peter Place, Bryanston Telephone: 011 706 7968 MasterDrive: Meyersdal Office Park, 65 Phillip Engrelbrecht Drive, Meyersdal. Telephone: 011 867 4778 / 011 022 0352 Petroports: Debonairs – Panorama Bridge and Total – Panorama West Dekra Automotive: Get a FREE vehicle safety check from Dekra after dropping off a car seat And for those parents, in need of a car seat – please contact Peggie Mars from Wheel Well on 072 385 7121 or pop her an email on peggie@wheelwell.co.za

March 25, 2016

Imperial’s Festive Driving Tips

Be safe, drive safely and get your destination comfortably! IMPERIAL Road Safety’s travel tips will get you safely to your destination this festive season! The festive season is one of the busiest month’s on the road and it pays to know a few things in advance to ensure (as far as possible) that you arrive at your destination safely. IMPERIAL Road Safety has put together some tips to ensure that you and your family travel as safely as possible on the roads. Fight fatigue One of the main causes of road crashes is fatigue. There are various reasons for fatigue-related road crashes including sleep deprivation, sleeping disorders, time of day that you are driving and travelling long distances without a break. It is important for drivers and their travel companions to be able to identify signs of fatigue, which may include sore eyes, nodding off, constant yawning, drifting over lanes, slow reactions and trouble keeping the head upright. You can counter driver fatigue temporarily with comfort breaks every two hours, drinking water, eating light foods, listening to music and ensuring good ventilation – to name a few. But the only way to really fight fatigue is by getting sufficient, uninterrupted sleep. The recommended number of hours is 7 – 8 hours. Avoid taking any medicine (including antihistamine tablets) before a long trip as it may cause drowsiness. Keep your eyes on the road A ‘quick’ SMS or phone call or a change of radio stations takes your mind and eyes off the road. The mobile phone is one of the biggest distractions to drivers because it demands full attention: visual, manual, and cognitive, and causes you to take your eyes off the road, hands off the steering wheel, and your mind off the road. For every second we take our eyes and minds off the road, we lose one second in our average reaction and stopping time. Avoid being distracted. Focus on the task at hand: driving safely. Get into the routine of the IMPERIAL Road Safety driving habits: Ensure you wear your safety belt at all times, refrain from drinking and driving, strap yourself and your children in, do not speed – especially in reduced visibility situations and remember to keep a safe following distance. Never overtake on a blind rise or on a corner and make sure that you are always visible by driving with your headlights on, even during the day. Travel safely by keeping a safe following distance (3 x cars space) and remember getting to your destination safely and with other road users safety in mind should be the most important thing on your mind when travelling. Safer roads start with YOU.

December 9, 2015

Imperial Road Safety and South Africa’s Department of Education (DoE) embark on National Learner Road Safety Campaign

Imperial Road Safety announced the launch of a joint project, the National Learner Road Safety Campaign – sanctioned by The South African Department of Basic Education. The campaign aims at generating awareness around road safety for learner pedestrians – at schools that are in need of an outreach programme – and ensures that they are given access to reflective clothing. 45 000 reflective sashes will be handed out over this time, within the foundation phase, which – as a result of the DBE’s commitment to road safety – will be made a mandatory part of the children’s school uniform. Says Niki Cronje, Group Marketing at Imperial: “Protecting our children and giving them access to extended education is key and as such, we are very proud to have initiated yet another solid road safety campaign such as this. Not only does it create a platform for stronger education around road safety for those less fortunate young pedestrians but, very importantly, it provides a key opportunity to ensure that reflective clothing becomes a key part of these children’s lives – an extension of themselves in the aim of ensuring safer travels.” “There is no doubt that road safety education should form as much a part of the school curriculum as do other learning subjects and through this campaign we are able to offer just this – the campaign offers an opportunity to introduce the concept and key aspects of road safety to learners, and to ensure that road safety is seen as a serious matter in this regard,” says Mr Baba Malaka, Assistant Director at the Department of Basic Education. The National Learner Road Safety Campaign, launched in Cape Town, is an extension of Imperial’s Scholar Patrol Improvement Project which, since its launch in 2012, has reached 700 schools, taught 606 059 learners, trained 2 800 teachers and reached numerous different communities within South Africa. In addition to this, the company has painted 17.5km kilometres of zebra crossings, erected 1 400 Stop signs and 1 400 ‘Scholar patrol ahead’ signs, as well as handed over 4 200 bibs. While Imperial will certainly maintain the scholar patrol programme at these 700 schools, they identified a further need in providing increased education at this level. As such, the Leaner Road Safety Education is a solid addition to this campaign – in the spirit of creating safer roads for all. The National Learner Road Safety Campaign will aim to visit over 300 schools and reach a quarter of a million young students, over the next year. During these visits, the Imperial Road Safety team will educate learners around the rules of the road and give them key, practical advice and road safety tips to ensure that they are able to remain safe while walking to and from school, as well as while crossing the necessary roads. “However, we realise that 300 schools is just touching the surface and as such, in the near future, we will expand this project to include the two major transport corridors In South Africa, namely: Joburg – Maputo and Joburg – Beit Bridge. This enables us to extend this campaign across a vast amount of schools and ensure we are changing the lives of those that are most vulnerable – our children,” continues Cronje. “Imperial Road Safety takes a consistent approach and has a solid, widespread focus on developing road safety campaigns that get to the root of road safety issues in South Africa for our learners, and we are proud to sanction this initiative, one that is set to be a revolutionary pedestrian campaign,” continues Mr Malaka. “Road crash fatality information indicates that approximately 35-40% of road deaths in South Africa are pedestrian deaths. As such, we believe that creating awareness and education from grass root level around key road safety aspects, and to encourage the youth to become advocates for change in this regard, is the first step in achieving less pedestrian incidents – especially among these young people who are heavily reliant on walking as a method of transport,” concludes Cronje. * https://arrivealive.co.za/Pedestrian-Safety-Advice

November 9, 2015

Imperial Road Safety, the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works, and KFM Breakfast bring Car Seats for Kids campaign to Cape Town!

Car Seats for Kids campaign embarks on collection and redistribution drive in Cape Town. Monday, 05 October 2015 – This October, in the spirit of National Transport Month and very importantly – Child Safety Month, Imperial Road Safety will be bringing their renowned Car Seats for Kids campaign to Cape Town. Imperial has partnered with the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works, as well as KFM Breakfast, to bring this exceptional road safety campaign to the region – following three consecutive, successful years in Johannesburg. “We believe that Cape Town is a region that boasts a spirit of giving back and as such, we will be bringing this great project to the region, expanding the campaign’s reach and driving further, national awareness,” says Niki Cronje, Group Marketing at IMPERIAL. Through this campaign, Imperial aims to contribute towards child safety on the roads by encouraging the donation of car seats by the public, which are then restored, safety checked and redistributed, to provide those children, who do not have a car seat or whose families can’t afford a new one, with the gift of safety. “We are thrilled to partner with IMPERIAL Road Safety on this worthwhile and crucial initiative. There are too often indications of the absence of child restraints amongst child passengers killed in the Western Cape, where road deaths per capita are approximately 38% lower than in South Africa in general. Children who are unrestrained, even on an adult’s lap, will be seriously injured or killed, even in a slight collision. We continue to appeal to parents and caregivers to buckle young children up in appropriate car seats to help prevent injury and death in a crash. Age-appropriate car seats are effective because the car seat harness and vehicle seatbelt are positioned over the parts of a child’s body that are most likely to absorb the force of a crash,” said Donald Grant, Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public works. “Our Safely Home campaign will be focusing on child road safety over the month of October, under the hashtag #SaveKidsLives, educating the public on how to protect our children against unnecessary injury. I am confident that our joint efforts will yield positive results, and save more and more young lives.” ”As a leader in mobility, we aim to educate consumers around the importance of car seats and strapping our children in, as well as to provide access to car seats for those that can’t afford them or haven’t yet realised their importance. This campaign comes at a critical time; Not only are road crash statistics are at their highest, but government have implemented new legislation that states that all children under the age of three need to be strapped into a suitable car seat and of course, is well aligned to Child Safety Month in Cape Town.” For road safety initiatives to make a real difference however, businesses and government need to join forces to effect change, and the Car Seats for Kids campaign is no exception. In light of this, the Cape Town Department of Transport and Public Works has endorsed this campaign within the region and have partnered with Imperial in the awareness drive towards safer roads for all. Furthermore, KFM Breakfast has come on board as the official media partner, aiding Imperial in driving awareness within the Cape Town region and encouraging consumers to get involved and donate their used car seats. Ryan O’Connor, KFM Breakfast Show Host says: “As a parent, I play a key role in keeping my child safe on the roads and feel privileged to be part of such a worthy campaign. During Transport Month and in the run-up to the festive season, I encourage you to join me – get involved in the KFM Breakfast Car Seats for Kids drive with Imperial and help protect our kids on the roads.” Imperial Road Safety is also proud to announce that it has partnered with some of South Africa’s most successful automotive brands within their group, to give the public a number of easily accessible drop off-points nationwide. Through this partnership, consumers – across the country – are now able to drop-off their old car seats at any of Imperial’s Hyundai, Kia and Renault dealers from 01 – 31 October 2015. Alternatively, they can drop these off at any of the activation points* during this time. In addition, to help manage the day to day collection and storage of the donated car seats, Imperial Logistics has come on board as the logistics partner, spreading the gift of safety across South Africa – a key function for a campaign of this nature. “There is no doubt that extending the reach of this campaign is critical in driving broader awareness and we are so excited that, this year, consumers from around the country can donate their car seats – regardless of the fact that the main activation will take place in Cape Town.” “Child safety on our roads is a key pillar of society, not to be left only in the hands of parents, but South Africans at large. We therefore are ecstatic that the department of transport has come on board and that together we are able to appeal to the public to go on and make a difference to a family in need by donating their used car seats this Transport and Child Safety Month,” concludes Cronje. The campaign will be at a number of Cape Town malls and schools – between 06h00 – 18h00, during October* on the following dates: Tygervalley Mall: Monday, 5 October 2015 Blue Route Mall: Tuesday, 6 October 2015 Table View Shopping Centre: Wednesday, 7 October 2015 Somerset Mall: Thursday, 8 October 2015 Ratanga Junction: Friday, 9 October 2015 Tygervalley Mall: Monday, 12 October 2015 Silverlea Primary: Tuesday, 13 October 2015 Table View Primary: Wednesday, 14 October 2015 Paarl Gymnasium Primary: Thursday, 15 October 2015 Ratanga Junction parking: Friday, 16 October 2015 For more information please visit the Imperial website by clicking here

October 12, 2015

Installing A Car Seat For The First Time

Installing a child-safety seat correctly is no easy feat. It’s a big deal, the seat has to be properly installed in the vehicle, and the child has to be properly installed in the seat. It sounds simple, yet 80 to 90 per cent of parents can get it wrong. Quite a scary stat. In the quest to acquire the multitude of things you need when you have a baby, it can be overwhelming when you start to investigate child car seats. Rear facing, front facing, boosters, weights, heights, tethers, anchors, positioning in the car … it’s a lot of details. And they’re details you need to get right. We wish we could give you a “fit-all” solution however you will need to ensure you adhere to the installation standards of the specific seat you have purchased. Here however is a simple start and summary of the basics. Beyond this we further recommend you watch a video or two online in particular to the specific seat you are installing to ensure you are 100% on track. The Basics The car seat must be the right type for the age and weight of your child It must be current, and have full instructions accompanying it and displayed on the sticker (also ensure you check the expiry date – seats can get old and forego their safety standards). It must never have been in a collision, whether the child was in it at the time or not For front facing seats, tether strap must be securely and properly in place Your child must be properly harnessed in the seat, with no padding, bulky clothing or bedding interfering with the straps. For warmth, bundle your little one over the straps, or look at specialty covers that don’t interfere with the seat performing its job. Your child’s caregiver’s vehicle must adhere to the same rules. If you don’t know how to install the car seat and can’t work it out, take the seat and your car to the car dealer. Most will install it for free, or for a small fee. It’s worth it because an improperly installed car seat is almost as bad as no car seat at all The Extras – a few things to watch out for when installing the seat: A child-safety seat that moves more than an inch: Check your child’s seat by grabbing it near the seat belt path or Latch belt path and giving it a tug. If it moves more than an inch in any direction, reinstall it to get a tighter fit. Latch anchors or seat belts that are used incorrectly: If you’re using a seat belt to install a child-safety seat, make sure the seat belt’s retractor is in the locked position. If you’re using the Latch system, make sure you’re using the Latch connectors correctly (some can only be used in one direction). Check for worn straps and padding. Used car seats are fine if they meet current standards and are in good repair. A harness that doesn’t fit: If your child is in a rear-facing seat, the harness shoulder straps should be at or below shoulder level; in a forward-facing seat, the straps should be at or above the shoulders. The chest clip should be at armpit level. Safe Kids Worldwide says parents can then check for too much slack in the harness by pinching the strap at the shoulders. If you can pinch any webbing, tighten the harness straps. Make sure that metal components of the seat are never in direct contact with the child’s skin. They can get very hot and burn the child. Extras: If it didn’t come with your child-safety seat, don’t use it. This includes aftermarket (not sold with your car seat) headrests or blankets that attach to car-seat straps or go under your child when secured. There is no government agency that monitors their safety effectiveness, and these things can compromise the effectiveness of a car seat. Toys and baby mirrors: Avoid attaching toys and mirrors directly to the car seat or seat-back. In a crash, these can become airborne objects that could hurt your child. Please note the above should be used as a guideline only. Whichever option you chose remember to ensure you understand exactly how to install the seat you have chosen and read all the instructions provided by the manufacturer. We hope this helps you make the correct decision and improves the safety of your family. The Soccermom Team Safely chauffeuring your children since 2006 www.soccermom.co.za

September 8, 2015

The Dangers Of Purchasing A 2nd Hand Car Seat

There is no denying that car seats are expensive, with prices ranging anywhere from R1 000 to R4 000. While that is a hefty price for many to consider, they are an absolute necessity for your child’s safety and can reduce the risk of death for infants by 70% and by 47–54% for children aged 1–4 years. IMPERIAL Road Safety, and its established partner, Wheel Well, who clean and safety check all car seats collected through the IMPERIAL Car Seats for Kids Campaign; have noticed a distressing trend, which is on the increase of late, especially since the use of car seats is now legally compulsory. Peggie Mars, from Wheel Well explains: “Many consumers, who are likely cash strapped and need to save money, are purchasing used car seats via online sites such as OLX and Gumtree. While this may seem innocent enough, it is actually a serious safety concern, as these seats have more than likely not undergone a proper safety check before being sold to the buyer.” “Unless you’re buying a car seat from someone well known and trusted, you have no real way of knowing a used seat’s history or the exact age thereof (older seats may not be accepted as safe anymore) which is a real danger. In addition, when you are purchasing second hand goods, they may be missing their installation instructions, and so in the case of a car seat, the buyer may not how to truly install the seat properly – which is one of the major hazards when it comes to in-car child safety.” “Moving away from safety and focusing on health – in general, it is said that car seats are usually dirtier than the average toilet, where scientists at University of Birmingham took swabs from 20 cars and homes and found that the seats had 100 different strains of dangerous bacteria including E. coli and salmonella bugs! This should be a real concern to parents, even more so if the seat is second hand and has not been properly cleaned and safety checked.” Niki Cronje, Group Marketing at IMPERIAL knows all to well the dangers of a car seat that isn’t properly safety checked. “IMPERIAL partnered with Wheel Well from the very beginning of our Car Seats for Kids Campaign, to ensure that all seats collected underwent the proper inspections and refurbishments, before being handed over at the car seat collection points.” The problem is that many parents don’t realise that even a light ‘fender bender’ could affect the structural integrity of a seat, without it necessarily showing external signs of damage, rendering it ineffective should you be in a serious crash in the future. Even though a new car seat may be quite expensive and put a dent in your budget – you really cannot put a price on the safety of your child. Mars concludes: “However, we understand that a new car seat may be out of reach for many parents who are battling to make ends meet. I advise that if you are going to purchase a car seat online, that you ensure the seller provides you with the entire history of the seat, and that you make sure the car seat was never in any crash and that all parts are present and in good working order.” “Further to that, if you are in the Johannesburg area, we encourage parents to bring through second hand car seats to Wheel Well at Brightwater Commons for a full safety check, clean and help with installation into the vehicle. Cleaning a seat costs R150, but all the other services are for a donation only if the parents feel that we have given them good service.”

July 13, 2015

8 Ways To Be A Better Role Model On The Road

Providing a list of rules to teach your kids about road safety may be useful, however children can learn better if parents become role models for them on the road. When faced with a particular traffic situation, the behaviour of children can often be unpredictable. Here are 7 essential ways in which your actions can influence your kids: Slowing down, in general. If you are always hasty in getting in and out of your car your children will be too. Letting them out on the curb side if possible. Whenever your child is getting out of a car, try and ensure it is the rear side of the passenger seat. Always wearing your seatbelts while driving a car and always wearing a helmet while driving a bike. Remaining calm while driving and never yelling or shouting at pedestrians or other drivers. Obeying the traffic signals and signs and also explaining them and their significance and importance. You can use these games to have some fun here. Demonstrating: How a car works, how it goes forward and back, what you can see in the review and side mirrors. This will help them understand how easily another driver cannot see them in a driveway or when crossing the road. Avoiding devices. The statistics say it all, cellphones are one of the leading causes of car accidents. Be an example, especially to older kids who will be driving soon. Behaviour is habitual and can be taught, don’t teach them a dangerous habit. And make sure to reward a child when he/she shows good behaviour pertaining to road safety. Such an act always inspires children to repeat the behaviour. By demonstrating such important rules on road safety, you are not only helping your child become a good citizen, but also playing your part as a responsible citizen. The snowball effect will benefit all.

July 7, 2015

Safety Tips For All Kinds Of Kids Transport

The “have a password” tip was a great one that circled around the internet for a while. If you didn’t get to see it the tip simply advised that you discuss a “safe word” or password with your child, so that if someone else ever needs to collect them from school one day you can give them this password and insist your child asks for it. If you are one of our Soccermom clients this may be a good idea even if you already have a long-standing driver, you never know when it may be useful. Every situation is different and every family if different, mixed with younger kids and older kids, and all sorts of means of transport options that you may use. So here are a few additional useful tips that we have compiled for all sorts of transport: Bus Transport When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic and avoid fooling around or other behaviour that can lead to carelessness or can accident Wait until the bus has stopped and the door opens before stepping onto the roadway At your stop, wait for the bus to stop completely before getting up from your seat. Then walk to the front door and exit, using the handrail Getting off the Bus: Make sure that the driver can see you Stay away from the bus’ rear wheels at all times MyCiti or Rapid Bus Transport Wait back from the curb at the bus stop Once on the bus, don’t block doors or lean on them Hold on if you are standing while the bus is moving Understand city buses are not school buses-when passengers exit, city buses move away and other traffic does not stop Avoid standing or walking in zones where drivers cannot see you Train Transport (You never know when one of your family member may need to use the Gautrain, they may even need to do it alone). Do not sit on the platform edge Do not play on the platform Watch your step entering and exiting Hold onto something if you are standing Do not lean on doors General public transport tips Look for an official badge or permit Take note of logos and colours Stay awake and alert at all times Keep close control over your bags and packages Know where you are going Know how to call for emergency help Teach your child that no matter what form of transport they take ultimately they are responsible for themselves and getting to their destination. So stay alert and stay aware and you will yourself safely there! Safe driving, The Soccermom Team

June 30, 2015

IMPERIAL Road Safety shows its support of the new Car Seats Legislation

Niki Cronje, Group Marketing at IMPERIAL I-Pledge From 30 April 2015, South African motorists will need to take a more serious approach to road safety, given the country has amongst the highest numbers of road deaths and trauma in the world, particularly amongst children. In the past, the use of car seats has not been compulsory for any age group of children. However, as of 30 April, car seats will now become compulsory for infants under the age of three when travelling in a car. Studies shows that car seats that are correctly installed and used for children aged 0–4 years can reduce the risk of death for infants by 70% and by 47–54% for children aged 1–4 years. However, to prevent serious injury or death; it is vital to use the appropriate car seats for kids– focusing specifically on the weight of the child – which is the most important aspect when selecting a car seat. While wearing a seatbelt will ensure you are kept in place, seatbelts are only designed for an adult’s body. This is why a car seat – the right one for a child’s weight – is so important to snugly and comfortably hold a baby in place, in a vehicle. In fact, research1 by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that a car seat reduces the risk of death among babies by 71% and for toddlers, by 54%. In South Africa, Hector Eliott, chief director of the Western Cape’s Safely Home campaign and Road Safety Co-Ordination, recently stated2 that at least 60% of small child passengers dying on our roads are not being properly buckled up. This is a cause for concern; and parents need to start taking this seriously. Holding your child or letting them sit on your lap is not enough to protect them from the impact of a crash. There are three categories of child restraint systems, each of these car seats have different benefits because each are for different weights – not age. For infants, a rear-facing child restraint is recommended up until he/she is at least 9kg. The next step is a toddler seat that your child should remain in until at they weigh at least 9 – 18 kg. Rear facing is first prize if your seat and space in your vehicles allows for it. The last stage of child restraint is a booster seat; best used when a child has outgrown a safety seat. They are designed for weights from 18 kg to 36 kg, and will give an added boost in height to your child to help him fit properly within a vehicle’s seat belt. He should remain in a booster seat until at least 1.48 meters tall. If we consider that approximately 250 children die a year in South Africa because an adult did not strap their child in, there is no doubt that a strong need exists to increase education around not only strapping a child in, but also ensuring that their child is placed in the correct seat, while understanding the consequences of crash force on a child’s body. IMPERIAL Road Safety encourages all parents to ensure that they purchase the right car seats for their child, as soon as possible, to ensure that they are compliant with the new legislation and that they contribute towards the safety of their children – most importantly. Over the last few years, IMPERIAL, in conjunction with Wheel Well, has been collecting, safety checking and refurbishing car seats – which are then handed over to less fortunate families. If you would like to give the gift of safety to a child; IMPERIAL urges Joburgs residents to please kindly donate their used car seats to Wheel Well, Shop U108, Brightwater Commons, Randburg. IMPERIAL reminds Cape Town parents to get their used car seats ready, as the Car Seats for Kids Campaign heads to Cape Town for the first time later this year, with the help of K-FM – stay tuned. References http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/child_passenger_safety/cps-factsheet.html http://m.iol.co.za/article/view/s/11/a/634164

May 7, 2015

National Road Safety Awareness Week

May 5 – 11 this year is National Road Safety Awareness Week. In a speech focusing on the 2015 Easter Road Safety campaign, Minister Dipuo Peters expressed her “disquiet and disappointment at the high rate of crashes and fatalities experienced during this Easter weekend”, saying the gloomy picture could not be left unchallenged. Peters said the official vehicle population had grown this year and this has translated into an added burden on the road infrastructure network and law enforcement capacity. In December 2013, there were 11 006 184 vehicles throughout the country. By December 2014, this number had grown by 363 741 to reach 11 369 925 registered vehicles. More than half (52%) of these vehicles were in Gauteng (38.76%) and KwaZulu Natal (13.47%). The number of driver’s licenses issued had also increased from 10 645 046 to 11 148 372, meaning that 503 326 new drivers had recently been licensed to use the country’s road networks she said. In April 2015, it was announced by the Minister that government is in talks to soon introduce a system where metro police officers can randomly stop motorists and retest their driving. The National Road Traffic Act empowers traffic officers to do this. Most fatalities on South African roads are caused by drunk driving, unroadworthy vehicles, speed and dangerous and negligent driving. To this end our question is, what are you as a responsible citizen of South Africa, doing to play your part in terms of decreasing our excessively high negative road usage statistics? It is an unfortunate fact that we do not have public road transport systems like other first-world countries. This of course has put an enormous strain on families especially where in almost every instance, both partners are working resulting in the use of two cars a day just to get to work and back. Naturally this leads to the extreme congestion on our roads that almost every one of us experiences on a daily basis and sitting in traffic can only compound the stress that we’re all already feeling. There are certain things that can be done just to relieve the stress of driving in peak hour traffic and a lot of the larger corporates have long ago introduced flexi-time for staff and if you are in a position to take advantage of working flexi hours, we would certainly encourage you to do that. Regular visits to the gym also helps to relieve stress and with a healthy body and mind, you will find yourself much more able to deal with driving in daily hectic traffic. If we look at other causes of the fatalities in South Africa, driving drunk does not have to be one of them. There are many companies out there who will ensure that you and your car get home safely if you have had a night out on the town and the responsible thing to do would be to employ their services. The minimal extra cost in doing so can save not only your life, but that of a stranger as well. It’s important to remember that when fatalities happen there are a number of people affected, not only those involved in the immediate accident. Keeping our vehicles road worthy is an absolute must from all aspects. As well as it contributing to keeping down fatalities on our roads, it most certainly contributes to a healthier environment for us to live in keeping pollution levels down. And of course, it’s really not that difficult to keep to our speed limits. There are reasons why suggested speed limits have been allocated to certain sections of roads and if we just all adhere to them, we would so easily be bringing down the amount of road fatalities experienced in South Africa. So why not let every week be Road Safety Awareness week for you. Educate your children and your families and work constructively to do your small part because every small part contributes to a more positive outcome.

May 5, 2015

Tips For Choosing A Family Car

Buying a car when you are young, single and have just started working is very different to when you are trying to buy a car for a family. Your needs as a new couple are not the same as they are when you start having children, suddenly safety is more important than speed, space is more important that style. It can be confusing trying to choose a family car because you aren’t always sure what you need to look for. We have a few tips that can make the hunt for a new family car easier. Check the safety features. Safety becomes of utmost importance when you are transporting your children. Make sure you check if there are safety belts on all the seats, that the back seat is safe for a car chair. Size does count. Whether you decide to only have one child or a rugby team, children take up space. Take this into account when you are looking at cars. If possible take your pram with to see how easily you can get it into the boot and how much space it takes up. Consider things like going on holidays, lifting friends, additional sports bags and how many car chairs you will need to have at one time. A car may say 5 seats but with car chairs in it suddenly becomes a 4 seater. Sometimes the 7th seat is in the boot taking away boot space. Is it a wanted car? While we don’t want to have to think about being hijacked, it should be a consideration. Try to steer clear of cars that are high on the hijacking list, it may mean you don’t have the coolest car in the parking lot but it will be worth it. Consider your needs. How many children do you want? Will you have two car chairs at the same time? Do you go away in your car a lot? Do you need to transport bicycles? These things will all play a part in the size and type of car you buy. Take it for a test drive. If you are going to be the primary driver, test drive it, parks it, make sure you are comfortable driving it especially if it is on the bigger size. Buying a family car can feel like an overwhelming decision but it really doesn’t have to be. Do not rush into the decision, take your time, consider all your needs and requirements and do not settle for anything less than that, no matter how hard the salesman may try to convince you otherwise.

March 12, 2015

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