If you are in an accident, wearing your seat belt can save your life, and that’s a fact. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about half!
You may know that seat belts help protect you in a car accident, but do you know how? First and foremost, seat belts keep you from being thrown from the vehicle, which greatly increases your chance of survival. They are also designed to restrain the strongest parts of your body—your shoulders and your hips, and they slow down your body during a crash. The shoulder strap is designed to keep your head and upper body from hitting the steering wheel or dashboard, reducing your risk of head injuries and protecting your spinal cord and brain.
However, if you do not wear your seat belt the right way, you could be doing more harm than good. Seat belts should be fastened immediately when you get into a car, whether you are a driver or a passenger. The belt should lay flat on your hips and the shoulder strap should be secure over your chest and shoulders. Never let the shoulder strap lie across your neck or face, or put it behind your arms or back because the seat belt itself could cause serious injury in the event of an accident. If you have an infant or a toddler, make sure you read all of the instructions on how to secure the car seat and fasten your baby in it.
If a few seconds could mean the difference between life and death, wouldn’t you take the time to buckle up?
Emergi-Care is a fully licensed, freestanding emergency clinic in Houston, Texas, providing the NASA area community with a convenient alternative to overcrowded hospitals and urgent care centers by delivering fast, friendly, high-quality medical treatment in a comfortable neighborhood setting. For more information visit Emergi-Care’s website or Facebook page.