Too often parents interpret crash protection to mean holding a child carefully in one's comfortable lap, and this is not strong enough to hold or protect the child against injury. "Holding a child in one's arms can be extremely dangerous during a crash because your weight is thrown forward and can crush, the child even if he is wearing a seat belt," says mechanic Kurt Harding.

According to the Road Safety Unit= in the Ministry of Transport and Works, all child-restraint systems must ensure that the movement of the child will be limited in the event of a collision or a sudden stop.

Pointers for a child restraint system:

1. One should ensure that the seat is appropriate for the height, weight and muscular development of the child.

2. Ensure that the seat allows space for the child to grow and that it fits snugly.

3. Ensure that it can be installed correctly in your vehicle. This means that the driver should ensure that the vehicle's seat belt will fit through and around the restraint in the manner recommended by the manufacturer.

4. It is imperative that the child is comfortable in the seat.

- Paul Messam