A First-of-Its-Kind Initiative in Singapore to Provide Complimentary Car Seats - 300 newborns expected to benefit in its first year.
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KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) has introduced a pioneering Newborn Car Seat Programme to enhance road safety for infants. As the first initiative of its kind in Singapore, the programme provides complimentary car seats to newborns, ensuring parents can safely transport their babies from their very first journey home.
Each year, KKH treats approximately 400 children for injuries sustained in road traffic accidents, many of which could be prevented with proper car seat use. Research has shown that more than half of the children involved in road accidents were not secured in a child car seat at the time of the incident. The programme aims to address this critical issue by increasing awareness and making car seats more accessible to new parents.
Supporting Parents in Keeping Babies Safe
Photo Credits: jcomp on freepik.com
To participate in the initiative, parents can register during their antenatal check-ups or sign up online. KKH will arrange for the collection of the car seat by the third trimester check-up, allowing families to familiarise themselves with installation and use before their baby arrives.
The programme also includes access to educational videos and a Child Passenger Safety Expert, equipping parents with the knowledge to install and use car seats correctly.
Community Partnership for Greater Impact
The initiative is supported by the Traffic Police, Komoco Motors, and Mothercare, with 300 newborns expected to benefit in its first year. Komoco Motors, a key partner in the programme, emphasised the importance of reducing child injuries from road accidents, highlighting that ensuring children’s safety on the road is as crucial as vehicle safety itself. Mothercare also expressed its commitment to helping parents prioritise road safety for their newborns.
Encouraging Long-Term Car Seat Use
Recognising that car seat safety is an ongoing journey, KKH is also providing a subsidy for parents to purchase the next stage of a child car seat upon returning the loaned one when their child turns one. This initiative encourages families to continue using age-appropriate car restraints, ensuring that children remain protected throughout their developmental stages.
KKH’s Newborn Car Seat Programme is a commendable step forward in child safety, tackling a real issue with a practical solution. By providing both free car seats and essential education, the hospital is not only helping families comply with safety regulations but also fostering a culture of lifelong road safety awareness.
For more details on how to participate, visit for.sg/buckleupbaby.
