6,146 children hurt in car accidents in U.A.E. from 2001 to 2007

Dubai, 18th February 2009- Children and babies are more likely to sustain less injury and survive death in car accidents if secured in a car safety seat, a recent study reveals.

According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study, car safety seats are 71% effective in reducing deaths for infants and 54% effective in reducing deaths for children ages 1 to 4 years.

Parents’ bad driving habits can greatly increase the risk of serious injury to toddlers and children, according to Fadi Abuhamdeh, Chicco’s Middle East Area Director. “You may have seen family members hold babies on their laps either in the front seat or in the back seat, this is not a safe practice. It might be a generational attitude inherited from parents or grandparents, but it is actually endangering youngsters.”

In the U.A.E, despite stringent road safety measures and awareness campaigns introduced by the police and RTA, road accidents are the biggest killer of children. Ministry of Health statistics show that over 6,146 children were involved in car accidents from 2001 to 2007.

UAE law makes it compulsory for drivers to wear seat belts and outlaws children under 10 from sitting in the front seat of a car. However, there is currently no legal obligation to use child car safety seats.

“Road accidents are the biggest child killer in the U.A.E. but many of these deaths can be prevented. Placing children in the back seat could reduce the risk of serious injury by 40%. Moreover, using age- and size-appropriate car seats and booster seats reduces serious and fatal injuries by more than half,” added Abuhamdeh.

According to him, a child’s age and weight are important in deciding which seat to use to give children the best chance of escaping injury in the event of a collision. He adds: “Always remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully - make sure your child car seat is fitted firmly in the car.”

-ENDS-

About Chicco:
The Chicco brand was created by Artsana S.p.A. in Como, Italy in 1958. Over the past 50 years, the Chicco brand has spread all over the world providing mothers & babies a full range of products to meet their needs from pregnancy through the first 3 years of the child. Chicco aims to be the distinctive choice to meet the needs of mothers & babies by providing simple and safe products specific for each growth phase, designed with skill, love and responsibility. Chicco Observatory works closely with the Chicco Brand to create safe and effective parenting and baby products. A dedicated research facility and educational resource, it was born in collaboration with mothers, pediatricians, expert children’s doctors, associations dedicated to childhood, nursery schools and day-care centers. It studies the most ideal childhood development research in order to create products that are simple, safe and specific for each stage of growth from birth to 3 years of age.

More information can be obtained on Chicco brand from the Chicco website; www.chicco.com

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