When you have a baby in the US it is required to have an infant car seat, in your car, when you leave the hospital. If you don’t have one, one will be arranged for you. That’s the law. But this is not the case in Qatar, yet. According to Dr Khalid Alsaadi, Paediatric Emergency Consultant at HMC, “At this time the law applies only to the driver and the front seat passenger. The law does not reach to the rear seat where children may be found standing or sitting without their seatbelts/car seats in use. But new regulations are supposed to be coming out soon regarding infant/child car seats.”
My name is Laala Al Jaber. I am a journalism student at Northwestern University in Qatar. I am doing a story on the lack of car-seat related laws in Qatar and how many Qataris do not use car seats for their children. I would like to interview people on this message board. Please let me know if you are interested. Please contact me via e-mail at [email protected].
Hello? It was me who attacked bajesus (althought I wouldn't say that he was being unfairly attacked) , not sabbia. Sabbia has been respectful to everyone, you included.
I never called you a know it all American or naive, I said you might appear that way. As for being part of the Mommy mafia, you are. You're part of the group of posters who think it's up to them to monitor this site, when in truth it isn't.
Sorry if I appear rude or arrogant but I tend to speak to people the same way they speak to me.
Mulie...what I said was in response to your post. You have in a round about way called me a know-it-all american, naive and part of the mommy mafia. I had not said a damn thing to offend or be rude to you.
Why should I be nice when Butterfly and you are incapable of being so?
"Thanks God, there are some really smart qataris to make up for the ***please refrain from using bad language on this site*** like you."
or
"Mulie...you take things out of context, you make outrageous accusations, your post are sometimes rude and arrogant. I prefer to remain in a conversation that allows opinions but also maintains a level of maturity."
I have been no more rude or arrogant then the rest of you.
It's the way you state the truth mulie. This is not the only thread you have done it in. You should try being nicer when you state what you think is the truth.
I don't believe I took anything out of context Sabia, I simply was trying to explain Baj's point of view since I thought that he had been unfairly attacked.
I also don't believe I was rude or arrogant in these posts, I was simply stating the truth, I'm sorry if you don't like to hear it.
I didn't say that the Sheikha would give my letter any thought but it's worth a try. If I can do anything to help with the safety of children, I'll do it. I have been in the Middle East off and on for some years. I respect the people here more than you know. I would never do anything on purpose to offend the people of Qatar. If my concern for their children is offensive so be it.
Children bouncing around in a car, hanging out windows, not in carseats, hanging out of sunroofs is just ridiculous. I also believe that for the most part, it is becayse people don't know the dangers. I also believe that the people here love their children enough that if they knew the dangers, they would do whatever possible to ensure their child is safe.
Mulie...you take things out of context, you make outrageous accusations, your post are sometimes rude and arrogant. I prefer to remain in a conversation that allows opinions but also maintains a level of maturity.
Nobody was suggesting to change the law, the law is already there, is just not being enforced. So technically, qataris and expats that don't use car seats are breaking the law.
Also, I understood what Baj was trying to say, and to suggest that anyone is stepping the boundaries and may get deported for taking such a admirable initiative is totally out of line.
I really believe that most people do not realise about the dangers of having the children bouncing freely inside the car or the front seat and that a campaing to educate them would help to solve the problem. If the parents know about it, then it is just pure neglicence about their children lifes, and that's unacceptable.
Also I don't know how long you've been in the Middle East sabia, but in case you haven't noticed, the people here don't react well to being told what they should do by foreigners. They prefer, like everyone else in the world, to come to these conclusions on their own.
The majority of Qatari's that I've spoken too think that we are horrible ones for leaving our children in car seats and not holding them on our lap. This is their belief it is also their children, their country and their laws to enforce. Not yours.
You can write to the Sheikha all you want, you didn't say anything wrong, but don't be so naive as to assume she will give your letter any thought.
Mulie...to suggest that people should put their childrens safety first is not "know it all". Children are precious and deserve to be treated that way. From the post that I have seen of yours, you seem to be as arrogant as those, "know it all americans" that you speak of. I do not think it is my right to change any law. I think that the more people that stand up and say something is wrong, it may change.
It's not even a matter of enforcement it's a matter of education as well. The desire to do it has to come from the Qatari's, not a know-it-all American.
Because the suggestion has been made. Qatari's are not oblivious to car seats, they choose not to use them. I don't like it either but I'm not so conceited as to believe that it's my right to change the laws of a country that isn't mine.
Remember sealt belt laws in the US and Europe? Everybody knew that they saved lives but before the laws were enforced hardly anyone took any notice. Its human nature to think that it won't happen to you.
Since the laws has been enforced, countless lives have been saved. This is a similar thing.
Also why do you assume that Qatari's don't know about car seats? These people did not just crawl out of a cave, they know what car seats are and what they are for, they simply choose not to use them.
Frankly I think Qatar would be better off without pigheaded Westerners trying to change everything.
I think what Baj is trying to say is that complaining about things in Qatar is one thing, but actively trying to change the laws is quite another. This isn't our country and we have no right, no matter how much we may disagree, to try and change or influence the laws. How would you like it if the President of the US changed laws based on some Qatari's letter?
Not that there is really much of a threat here cause the Sheikha will never read the letter given that you aren't one of her subjects or anyone she cares about, but anyway. Change laws in your own country not other peoples.
Don't listen to this bullshiter. I have already written an email to the Sheikha and I think is a great initiative. I hope more of us will be doing so, really, nobody will get deported for trying to get public awareness on child safety.
Bajesus...really, how could you think that it is wrong to want the children of this country to be safe?? Knowledge is power and maybe with this subject...spreading that knowledge would help.
I can't belive you have posted what you did. Are you serious? You think that someone who genuinely cares for the welfare of small children is overstepping the mark? What is the matter with you?
Sabbialla and I come from the same country. When I was a small child in that country, thousands of small children were killed and horribly disabled every year for no reason. Eventually, the voice of common sense was made into law and since then probably hundreds of thousands of young lives have been saved. What on earth is wrong with her wanting to save young Arab lives. How is that overstepping the mark?
If I was to be deported for for suggesting car seat laws, etc...I'd say about 90% of this website would be deported for various comments, suggestions. There is nothing wrong with the suggestions and the Sheikha is the best person to go to. I admire her.
Carseats aren't just what's best for Qatari's, they're what's best for all kids. Give me a break if you think by pushing for a carseat law we are pushing "western" ideas on anyone. That's like saying vaccines are overstepping our boundaries too. Carseats and seatbelts save lives.
I didn't know about that website. I'm off to email the sheika now.
Baj, why don't you email her too? Or are you happy about your little brothers and sisters having their life at risk just because their parents are ignorant about driving safety and car seats for children?
Please baj, don't have me deported for my commments. LOL
Her website is there for a reason. There is a contact button for a reason. Oh and also, I wrote to her not to tell her what SHOULD be done. I wrote to her because she is an advocate for charities and family safety. I did not overstep my boundaries and yes I will take that risk. I'm an adult enough to know how to write a simple email with tact and graciousness. I am sure this is a subject that she is already trying to tackle. With the help and support of those in this country, it will make things much easier. I'm not getting more and more brazen. I have always been the type of person to try to help and to speak my mind. Proud of it.
Sabbia (munoz), it's nice to see you getting more and more brazen with each passing day. Now you're writing to the Shiekha saying what you think is best for Qatari's and what they ought to do wth their children?
Like it or not, at the end of the day you are merely a guest in this country so, for your sake, don't overstep your boundaries. What I'm saying is I know a lot of people who have been deported for saying a lot less. So, do you really want to take that risk?
I am not insinuating that the parents are "bad parents". I am addressing the people driving around in new cars with children bouncing around the car. It is unbelieveable that on a DAILY basis, I see mothers sitting with their infants in the front seat or kids jumping up and down. It disgust me.
I agree entirely that the government should be helping to provide car seats to those that cannot afford them. I also think that there should be a campaign and I included that in my letter to Sheikha Mozah.
Here is the link to her contact:http://www.mozahbintnasser.qa/output/page55.asp
Hi - what address did you use to write to the Sheikha? I will send a letter too. I find it absolutely disgusting that the government has not done a huge PR campaign to let people know the dangers of not using carseats. There is no excuse for a mother to be carrying her infant in her lap in the front seat. Each mom should get a free, quality carseat before leaving the hospital. This government can afford it! And they should be shown how to properly install it in their car.
When it comes to parenting there are few absulutes, one of them ensuring that the safety of our children is never compromised. I think we all agree on that.
But it is easy for me to critise parents who don't buckle their kids in the appropiate seats. If I find out that my car seat is not safe enough, no problem, I go straight to mothercare or whatever and buy another one, I can afford it. But I know a few families in Doha that have to sacrifice so much to stay together and quite simply are not as lucky as me. They really struggle, so who am I to judge their parenting just because they carry their babies on their laps when travelling in a car?
The government does absolutely nothing to implement carseat laws for children. Nor it provides with financial help to families that strugle with their little incomes, like it happens in most developed countries where you get an allowance from the government if the family's salary is proved to be too low.
Also you can see lots of wealthy qataries that have their children moving freely inside their suvs. Whilst that's a sight that makes me really sick...are these parents aware of the dangers? Has the traffic department done anything to inform the public about driving safety and the importance of seats for small children? I don't think so.
Lets not accuse them of being lousy parents. We don't know. THink of what it was like when you were a child...
Were you buckled into a car seat? No. But I assume you still travelled in a car. Your parents were not bad nor were careless about your safety. They just didn't know about the dangers and of course, they didn't have the chance to buy a safe seat for you (they did not exist) .
There are laws regarding that in Qatar. But it has not yet been strictly implemented . I suppose thats because the number of children who have died this way are very negligible.
having lots of kids is not an excuse. i think what Qatarina meant was that it's one of the factors why people can't afford car seats in less developed nations.maybe it's the same way I can't understand why people in some countries stricken with famine and drought keep having children when they can't even feed themselves..but I've realised that it's more complexed than that.
I have never understood the excuse that a person has too many children and cannot afford to put their safety first. I think it's great that people have so many children but please don't have so many if you their safety cannot be a priority.
Did anyone hear about that study done in the States about the safety of carseats? ONLY 2 passed!!! That is just unbelievable to me. People have been thinking that their children are safe because the car seat has passed regulation laws. They obviously only passed at the minimum.
Hi, I'm new to this forum. I feel very passionately about this topic. I have a 19 month old son and am very anal when it comes to car seats. Malaysia (where I come from) does not have car seat laws in place but I still make sure that my son travels in a car seat , even if it's to the nearby shops. There are many available for purchase in Malaysia but the price is far too expensive for the majority. A decent car seat could set some back two months wages. So I guess even if they are aware of the need for child car seats it is out of their reach and I guess they have other prioritoes like buying food to stay alive and having a roof over thier head. Plus families in Malaysia can have as many as 4 (quite common) up to 14 children. Imagine the logistical nightmare of moving the family members around! . I've been staying and studying in Australia for the past ten years. When I got pregnant, I found out that hospital won't let you take your baby home unless you have a baby capsule. I totally support this restriction. I also found out that the local councils can lease them for up to six months so that parents won't have to buy them. But i guess even if we have these kinds of assisstance, some parents just wont be able to see the need for them or worse they would just see it as a waste of money. Due to the non-existent regulation for the standard of car seats in Malaysia, I have come across a few models from China that I believe does not conform to even the most basic safety standard. They are there because people want to buy them cheap but they are as good as not having your child in a car seat. My child's car seat travles with him if we go to countries that doesn't rent them out. I guess I make my own laws where car seats are concerned. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Thank you for your comments.I am not suprised that there are no carseat laws.The car seats are for my two sister inlaws that live in Qatar. I am hoping that if I send the seats as gifts that they will use them. I am interested in the Britax brand because they will safely hold a child in a 5 point harness for up to 80 lbs. The seats are large and there is plenty of room so the children can use them comfortably for a long time.
We take our son to a British nursery so I expect parents who drop off their kids there are Westernized (if they're not expats) and be safety conscious.
Then one day, I saw an Arab father strapping his daughter into a BOUNCER that was on the floor of a minivan. I guess he figured that as long as his daughter is secured to something, then that's good enough!
-------------
There's a wide variety of carseats here, mostly made by Western companies and the prices are comparable to what you'd pay. I know that Britax convertible car seats are highly rated but I don't think I saw any here. I also wonder, if the carseats weren't so expensive to the locals and other nationalities, will they be more wiling to secure their kids?
I bought my sons Graco car seat at Toys R Us...they have several brands to choose from.
As far as carseats go, I sent a letter to the Sheikha. I think there needs to be a law that to leave the hospital when you have a baby, you must have a car seat. It should be checked by the hospital.
I highly suggest putting your young ones in a car seat! Have you seen the driving? Not to mention the amount of accidents that happen everyday! Children are our most precious gifts, and we need to protect and keep them safe!
I have seen good ones at Toys R Us! Good Luck! Also try consumer reports for the newest and greatest!
The carseat law here is a joke. The fine for having a child in your lap in the front seat is the same as talking on a hand-held cell phone! I've asked our pediatrician why there hasn't been an all out education campaign but no one knows. 25-year-behind syndrome I guess. Carseats are available though.
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When you have a baby in the US it is required to have an infant car seat, in your car, when you leave the hospital. If you don’t have one, one will be arranged for you. That’s the law. But this is not the case in Qatar, yet. According to Dr Khalid Alsaadi, Paediatric Emergency Consultant at HMC, “At this time the law applies only to the driver and the front seat passenger. The law does not reach to the rear seat where children may be found standing or sitting without their seatbelts/car seats in use. But new regulations are supposed to be coming out soon regarding infant/child car seats.”
Hello Everyone,
My name is Laala Al Jaber. I am a journalism student at Northwestern University in Qatar. I am doing a story on the lack of car-seat related laws in Qatar and how many Qataris do not use car seats for their children. I would like to interview people on this message board. Please let me know if you are interested. Please contact me via e-mail at [email protected].
Buttface I forgive you if it makes you feel any better. It's not your fault you were PMSing you mommy mafia you ;-)
Thank You butterfly...while it's not something I would have said, I do see your point. I don't really think it was unfair.
Hello? It was me who attacked bajesus (althought I wouldn't say that he was being unfairly attacked) , not sabbia. Sabbia has been respectful to everyone, you included.
For you to practice what you preach I suppose.
well, mulie I am a know it all american. What more would you expect?
Now who's being rude and arrogant?
Sure. Awww...strong arguement!
Sure.
monitor what on this site? Nothing needs to be monitored as far as I know.
I never called you a know it all American or naive, I said you might appear that way. As for being part of the Mommy mafia, you are. You're part of the group of posters who think it's up to them to monitor this site, when in truth it isn't.
Sorry if I appear rude or arrogant but I tend to speak to people the same way they speak to me.
Mulie...what I said was in response to your post. You have in a round about way called me a know-it-all american, naive and part of the mommy mafia. I had not said a damn thing to offend or be rude to you.
Why should I be nice when Butterfly and you are incapable of being so?
"Thanks God, there are some really smart qataris to make up for the ***please refrain from using bad language on this site*** like you."
or
"Mulie...you take things out of context, you make outrageous accusations, your post are sometimes rude and arrogant. I prefer to remain in a conversation that allows opinions but also maintains a level of maturity."
I have been no more rude or arrogant then the rest of you.
I thought for a second you might actually be NICE. I'm out.
I write the way I write Sabia. If you and the rest of the mommy mafia don't like it, then don't read what I post.
It's the way you state the truth mulie. This is not the only thread you have done it in. You should try being nicer when you state what you think is the truth.
I don't believe I took anything out of context Sabia, I simply was trying to explain Baj's point of view since I thought that he had been unfairly attacked.
I also don't believe I was rude or arrogant in these posts, I was simply stating the truth, I'm sorry if you don't like to hear it.
I didn't say that the Sheikha would give my letter any thought but it's worth a try. If I can do anything to help with the safety of children, I'll do it. I have been in the Middle East off and on for some years. I respect the people here more than you know. I would never do anything on purpose to offend the people of Qatar. If my concern for their children is offensive so be it.
Children bouncing around in a car, hanging out windows, not in carseats, hanging out of sunroofs is just ridiculous. I also believe that for the most part, it is becayse people don't know the dangers. I also believe that the people here love their children enough that if they knew the dangers, they would do whatever possible to ensure their child is safe.
Mulie...you take things out of context, you make outrageous accusations, your post are sometimes rude and arrogant. I prefer to remain in a conversation that allows opinions but also maintains a level of maturity.
Nobody was suggesting to change the law, the law is already there, is just not being enforced. So technically, qataris and expats that don't use car seats are breaking the law.
Also, I understood what Baj was trying to say, and to suggest that anyone is stepping the boundaries and may get deported for taking such a admirable initiative is totally out of line.
I really believe that most people do not realise about the dangers of having the children bouncing freely inside the car or the front seat and that a campaing to educate them would help to solve the problem. If the parents know about it, then it is just pure neglicence about their children lifes, and that's unacceptable.
Also I don't know how long you've been in the Middle East sabia, but in case you haven't noticed, the people here don't react well to being told what they should do by foreigners. They prefer, like everyone else in the world, to come to these conclusions on their own.
The majority of Qatari's that I've spoken too think that we are horrible ones for leaving our children in car seats and not holding them on our lap. This is their belief it is also their children, their country and their laws to enforce. Not yours.
You can write to the Sheikha all you want, you didn't say anything wrong, but don't be so naive as to assume she will give your letter any thought.
Mulie...to suggest that people should put their childrens safety first is not "know it all". Children are precious and deserve to be treated that way. From the post that I have seen of yours, you seem to be as arrogant as those, "know it all americans" that you speak of. I do not think it is my right to change any law. I think that the more people that stand up and say something is wrong, it may change.
It's not even a matter of enforcement it's a matter of education as well. The desire to do it has to come from the Qatari's, not a know-it-all American.
Because the suggestion has been made. Qatari's are not oblivious to car seats, they choose not to use them. I don't like it either but I'm not so conceited as to believe that it's my right to change the laws of a country that isn't mine.
Remember sealt belt laws in the US and Europe? Everybody knew that they saved lives but before the laws were enforced hardly anyone took any notice. Its human nature to think that it won't happen to you.
Since the laws has been enforced, countless lives have been saved. This is a similar thing.
if the President changed a law based on a Qatari's letter. Frankly, he needs all the help he can get.
Anyway, who cares who makes the suggestions? If the suggestions are good, they should be judged on their merits not on who makes them.
Also why do you assume that Qatari's don't know about car seats? These people did not just crawl out of a cave, they know what car seats are and what they are for, they simply choose not to use them.
Frankly I think Qatar would be better off without pigheaded Westerners trying to change everything.
I think what Baj is trying to say is that complaining about things in Qatar is one thing, but actively trying to change the laws is quite another. This isn't our country and we have no right, no matter how much we may disagree, to try and change or influence the laws. How would you like it if the President of the US changed laws based on some Qatari's letter?
Not that there is really much of a threat here cause the Sheikha will never read the letter given that you aren't one of her subjects or anyone she cares about, but anyway. Change laws in your own country not other peoples.
Buttfly, out of curiousity, how did you get here? did someone leave your cage open?
I better go wake Heidi up :)We need some fresh air too.
Don't listen to this bullshiter. I have already written an email to the Sheikha and I think is a great initiative. I hope more of us will be doing so, really, nobody will get deported for trying to get public awareness on child safety.
Speaking of children...It's time for me to take Connor for a walk. We need some fresh air!
Bajesus...really, how could you think that it is wrong to want the children of this country to be safe?? Knowledge is power and maybe with this subject...spreading that knowledge would help.
A sharp tongue is no indication of a keen mind. I can't blame you for having the IQ of lint.
Calm down...
You are embarrasing yourself now. Maybe you should have yourself deported, Qatar would be a better place without people like you.
Thanks God, there are some really smart qataris to make up for the shit like you.
Careful now, don't let your brains go to your head. Are you always so stupid or is today a special occasion?
I can't belive you have posted what you did. Are you serious? You think that someone who genuinely cares for the welfare of small children is overstepping the mark? What is the matter with you?
Sabbialla and I come from the same country. When I was a small child in that country, thousands of small children were killed and horribly disabled every year for no reason. Eventually, the voice of common sense was made into law and since then probably hundreds of thousands of young lives have been saved. What on earth is wrong with her wanting to save young Arab lives. How is that overstepping the mark?
If I was to be deported for for suggesting car seat laws, etc...I'd say about 90% of this website would be deported for various comments, suggestions. There is nothing wrong with the suggestions and the Sheikha is the best person to go to. I admire her.
Carseats aren't just what's best for Qatari's, they're what's best for all kids. Give me a break if you think by pushing for a carseat law we are pushing "western" ideas on anyone. That's like saying vaccines are overstepping our boundaries too. Carseats and seatbelts save lives.
I didn't know about that website. I'm off to email the sheika now.
Baj, why don't you email her too? Or are you happy about your little brothers and sisters having their life at risk just because their parents are ignorant about driving safety and car seats for children?
Please baj, don't have me deported for my commments. LOL
Her website is there for a reason. There is a contact button for a reason. Oh and also, I wrote to her not to tell her what SHOULD be done. I wrote to her because she is an advocate for charities and family safety. I did not overstep my boundaries and yes I will take that risk. I'm an adult enough to know how to write a simple email with tact and graciousness. I am sure this is a subject that she is already trying to tackle. With the help and support of those in this country, it will make things much easier. I'm not getting more and more brazen. I have always been the type of person to try to help and to speak my mind. Proud of it.
Sabbia (munoz), it's nice to see you getting more and more brazen with each passing day. Now you're writing to the Shiekha saying what you think is best for Qatari's and what they ought to do wth their children?
Like it or not, at the end of the day you are merely a guest in this country so, for your sake, don't overstep your boundaries. What I'm saying is I know a lot of people who have been deported for saying a lot less. So, do you really want to take that risk?
Yeah, there's also a law about excessive use of a car horn...
this has been discussed before and nothing comes out of it, i do hope munoz's letter hold weight with the sheikha.
do u know there is a law that forbids kids under the age of 8 or 12 from sitting in the front passenger seat?
happy heart
drive safe because someone is waiting for you at home
Thanks so much for the link. I will email her. Maybe once a day until she tells me to place a bulk order of carseats!
I am not insinuating that the parents are "bad parents". I am addressing the people driving around in new cars with children bouncing around the car. It is unbelieveable that on a DAILY basis, I see mothers sitting with their infants in the front seat or kids jumping up and down. It disgust me.
I agree entirely that the government should be helping to provide car seats to those that cannot afford them. I also think that there should be a campaign and I included that in my letter to Sheikha Mozah.
Here is the link to her contact:http://www.mozahbintnasser.qa/output/page55.asp
Hi - what address did you use to write to the Sheikha? I will send a letter too. I find it absolutely disgusting that the government has not done a huge PR campaign to let people know the dangers of not using carseats. There is no excuse for a mother to be carrying her infant in her lap in the front seat. Each mom should get a free, quality carseat before leaving the hospital. This government can afford it! And they should be shown how to properly install it in their car.
When it comes to parenting there are few absulutes, one of them ensuring that the safety of our children is never compromised. I think we all agree on that.
But it is easy for me to critise parents who don't buckle their kids in the appropiate seats. If I find out that my car seat is not safe enough, no problem, I go straight to mothercare or whatever and buy another one, I can afford it. But I know a few families in Doha that have to sacrifice so much to stay together and quite simply are not as lucky as me. They really struggle, so who am I to judge their parenting just because they carry their babies on their laps when travelling in a car?
The government does absolutely nothing to implement carseat laws for children. Nor it provides with financial help to families that strugle with their little incomes, like it happens in most developed countries where you get an allowance from the government if the family's salary is proved to be too low.
Also you can see lots of wealthy qataries that have their children moving freely inside their suvs. Whilst that's a sight that makes me really sick...are these parents aware of the dangers? Has the traffic department done anything to inform the public about driving safety and the importance of seats for small children? I don't think so.
Lets not accuse them of being lousy parents. We don't know. THink of what it was like when you were a child...
Were you buckled into a car seat? No. But I assume you still travelled in a car. Your parents were not bad nor were careless about your safety. They just didn't know about the dangers and of course, they didn't have the chance to buy a safe seat for you (they did not exist) .
There are laws regarding that in Qatar. But it has not yet been strictly implemented . I suppose thats because the number of children who have died this way are very negligible.
Condoms are inexpensive. Most health departments(yes, even in poorly developed nations) give condoms out for free.
sabbiabella,
having lots of kids is not an excuse. i think what Qatarina meant was that it's one of the factors why people can't afford car seats in less developed nations.maybe it's the same way I can't understand why people in some countries stricken with famine and drought keep having children when they can't even feed themselves..but I've realised that it's more complexed than that.
Having lots of kids, will make any civilized father a true believer of birth control methods.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds..
I have never understood the excuse that a person has too many children and cannot afford to put their safety first. I think it's great that people have so many children but please don't have so many if you their safety cannot be a priority.
Did anyone hear about that study done in the States about the safety of carseats? ONLY 2 passed!!! That is just unbelievable to me. People have been thinking that their children are safe because the car seat has passed regulation laws. They obviously only passed at the minimum.
Hi, I'm new to this forum. I feel very passionately about this topic. I have a 19 month old son and am very anal when it comes to car seats. Malaysia (where I come from) does not have car seat laws in place but I still make sure that my son travels in a car seat , even if it's to the nearby shops. There are many available for purchase in Malaysia but the price is far too expensive for the majority. A decent car seat could set some back two months wages. So I guess even if they are aware of the need for child car seats it is out of their reach and I guess they have other prioritoes like buying food to stay alive and having a roof over thier head. Plus families in Malaysia can have as many as 4 (quite common) up to 14 children. Imagine the logistical nightmare of moving the family members around! . I've been staying and studying in Australia for the past ten years. When I got pregnant, I found out that hospital won't let you take your baby home unless you have a baby capsule. I totally support this restriction. I also found out that the local councils can lease them for up to six months so that parents won't have to buy them. But i guess even if we have these kinds of assisstance, some parents just wont be able to see the need for them or worse they would just see it as a waste of money. Due to the non-existent regulation for the standard of car seats in Malaysia, I have come across a few models from China that I believe does not conform to even the most basic safety standard. They are there because people want to buy them cheap but they are as good as not having your child in a car seat. My child's car seat travles with him if we go to countries that doesn't rent them out. I guess I make my own laws where car seats are concerned. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Thank you for your comments.I am not suprised that there are no carseat laws.The car seats are for my two sister inlaws that live in Qatar. I am hoping that if I send the seats as gifts that they will use them. I am interested in the Britax brand because they will safely hold a child in a 5 point harness for up to 80 lbs. The seats are large and there is plenty of room so the children can use them comfortably for a long time.
Nicely done and well thought from you.
Hopefully, they will listen to you..
My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. So be it.
1 Corinthians, Chapter 16,
We take our son to a British nursery so I expect parents who drop off their kids there are Westernized (if they're not expats) and be safety conscious.
Then one day, I saw an Arab father strapping his daughter into a BOUNCER that was on the floor of a minivan. I guess he figured that as long as his daughter is secured to something, then that's good enough!
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There's a wide variety of carseats here, mostly made by Western companies and the prices are comparable to what you'd pay. I know that Britax convertible car seats are highly rated but I don't think I saw any here. I also wonder, if the carseats weren't so expensive to the locals and other nationalities, will they be more wiling to secure their kids?
I bought my sons Graco car seat at Toys R Us...they have several brands to choose from.
As far as carseats go, I sent a letter to the Sheikha. I think there needs to be a law that to leave the hospital when you have a baby, you must have a car seat. It should be checked by the hospital.
Never heard about car seat law ... but i still recommend you putting your little on into car seat for their safety, not for fear of the law.
Plenty of choice ... most shops like baby shop are toys r us sell them.
I highly suggest putting your young ones in a car seat! Have you seen the driving? Not to mention the amount of accidents that happen everyday! Children are our most precious gifts, and we need to protect and keep them safe!
I have seen good ones at Toys R Us! Good Luck! Also try consumer reports for the newest and greatest!
You get a good selection of car seats here. Try Toys 'R Us, Babyshop or Mothercare.
The carseat law here is a joke. The fine for having a child in your lap in the front seat is the same as talking on a hand-held cell phone! I've asked our pediatrician why there hasn't been an all out education campaign but no one knows. 25-year-behind syndrome I guess. Carseats are available though.