‘Don’t remove them from the car seat’: Paramedic’s child safety warning
First aid experts have shared some surprising advice about children’s car seats that could prove crucial in the event of an accident.
Child safety experts have warned parents about the risks of removing their child from their car seat after an accident, highlighting a “lack of knowledge” on the matter.
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While it may seem counterintuitive to keep your child in a car seat after being involved in a crash, former paramedic and Tiny Hearts Education co-founder Nikki Jurcutz said it could save their life.
“During my time as a paramedic, I would go to car accidents with children and babies involved all the time. I realised there was a lack of knowledge from parents about what to do after a car accident,” Ms Jurcutz said in an Instagram post.
“Leaving your child in the car seat can keep them still and calm in a situation where potential spinal injuries or internal injuries have occurred.”
Although your child could may seem “completely fine on the outside”, they could have sustained internal injuries to their brain, head, neck, spinal cord, back and internal organs.
These injuries could be further exacerbated if you remove them from their car seat without proper medical assistance.
Providing it’s safe for your child to remain in their car seat after an accident, Ms Jurcutz advises keeping them there, keeping them distracted and keeping them comfortable until paramedics arrive.
If it’s unsafe for your child to remain in the car due to ongoing danger, Tiny Hearts’ advice is to “unclip and remove the entire car seat with the child still in harness, or cut the straps that are holding the car seat in”.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule – like if your car is smoking, your child needs CPR or airway management, or your child is distressed and moving around in a way that could cause more harm.
If any of those circumstances apply and your child is conscious, Tiny Hearts suggests removing your child from their car seat carefully and holding them against your body to minimise movement.
If they are unconscious or not breathing normally, start CPR and remember “CPR takes priority over a neck/spinal injury”, Tiny Hearts advises.
The post on Tiny Hearts Education’s Instagram page has received almost 300 comments since it was shared on July 26, 2023, with many parents and caregivers sharing their appreciation.
“I would never have even thought of what to do or not do if I was in a car accident with my grandchildren in the car this is so helpful. Thank you,” one commenter wrote.
“Wow I didn’t know this. such important information, thank you for sharing,” another added.
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