Infants born at the Princess Margaret Hospital recently were the recipients of safety car seats donated jointly by the Rotary Club of East Nassau and Multi Discount Furniture Company. The donation was part of a Christmas card promotion that the Rotary Club began in December, the proceeds of which were used to purchase car seats with the beneficiary being the Pediatric Wards at the Princess Margaret Hospital.

The seats were distributed jointly by Caroline Moncur, a member of the Rotary Club of East Nassau and Chairman; Brian Moodie, President, Rotary Club of East Nassau and Michele Rassin, President-Elect, Rotary Club of East Nassau.

Parents of the newborns receiving the safety car seats as well as Administration at the Princess Margaret Hospital expressed gratitude to The Rotary Club of East Nassau for their gift efforts which was indicative of the clubs initiative to promote one of Rotary International?s Goal?s of reducing child mortality.

"The Princess Margaret Hospital Executive Management Committee and the Pediatric Clinical Management Team wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to you, and your members, for your visit and donation of thirty (30) infant car seats to the Pediatric Units. Please be assured that we are indeed grateful for your interest and consideration of Princess Margaret Hospital for this valuable contribution, which expresses your caring love, and provides some joy and happiness to our patients" stated Lisa Deveaux, Sr. Asst. Hospital Administrator.


According to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) an agency of the Executive Branch of the United States Government, part of the U. S. Department of Transportation, car seats reduce the risk of death by 71% for infants and by 54% for children ages 1-4, and reduces the need for hospitalization by 69% for children ages 4 and under.

The proper use of child car restraints would prevent many of these deaths and injuries. In a crash at just 30 mph, an unrestrained child would be thrown forward with a force 30 to 60 times their body weight. They would be thrown about inside the vehicle, injuring themselves and quite possibly seriously injuring (or even killing) other people inside the vehicle. They are also likely to be ejected from the car through one of the windows.

It is not safe to hold a child on your lap. In a crash, the child could be crushed between your body and part of the car's interior. Even if you are using a seat belt, the child would be torn from your arms - you would not be able to hold onto them, no matter how hard you try. It is also dangerous to put a seat belt around yourself and a child (or around two children).

The Rotary Club of East Nassau?s message is that - the safest way for children to travel in cars is to use a child seat that is suitable for their weight and size. A properly fitted child restraint keeps the child in their seat, preventing them from being thrown about inside or ejected from the vehicle. This reduces the likelihood of your child being killed or injured in a crash. The law requires all children travelling in cars to use the correct child restraint until they are either 135 cm in height or the age of 12 (which ever they reach first). After this they must use an adult seat belt.

?We are delighted to be able to raise funds for a such worthy cause. We would like to thank Multi-Discount Furniture and Appliances for their assistance with procurement and donation of three additional car seats. We anticipate the car seats will be put to good use as reducing child mortality is one of the goals for Rotary International. The seats will be split between the Pediatric and various infant units and distributed to mothers who would not be able to afford them?, stated Brian Moodie, President, Rotary Club of East Nassau.

Photo: Front Row Left to Right: Car seat recipients: Latora McKenzie (mother of twins), Shornelle Nezbitt, Nickoye Rolle, and Jenyne Roberts (mother of twins). Back Row Left to Right: Una Jane Butler, Nursing Officer II, OBGYN; Judith McQueeny, Nursing Officer 1, Paediatric Unit; Jennifer Sands, Nursing Officer I, Unit Manager ICU; Caroline Moncur, Member, Rotary Club of East Nassau; Brian Moodie, President, Rotary Club of East Nassau; Michele Rassin, President-Elect, Rotary Club of East Nassau; Patsy Morris, Senior Nursing Officer, Surgical Area II; Lisa Deveaux, Senior Assistant Hospital Administrator; Thelma Rolle, Public Relations Manager, PMH; Helen Miller, Trained Clinical Nurse.