A mother has created seat belt covers which warn first responders of children’s health issues in the event of a car accident.
Natalie Bell, from Victoria, Australia owns a business called Personalised By Nat which specialises in creating personalised products.
The mother-of-five advertises her products on Facebook and earlier this month she shared a picture of one of her daughters in the car, with a colourful attachment wrapped around the seat belt.
Natalie described the product on Facebook, explaining her daughter was deaf and had a cochlear implant and therefore wouldn’t be able to have an MRI scan if they got into a car accident; the cover could warn responders of this.
The mother’s inspiration came from wondering what would happen if she was unable to point out her daughter’s condition to medics.
The business owner wrote:
I always wonder what would happen if I was in a car accident with my daughter in the car and I was unable to let the doctors know that my daughter could not have a MRI due to having a cochlear implant, now I don’t need to worry about that with these seat belt covers.
These can be made for any special needs that the medical team will need to know if you are unable to tell them
Natalie shared pictures of a range of seat belt covers which warned of various health issues, though she can personalise the products with whatever information is needed.
Examples include autism and Down’s syndrome, with covers warning the child ‘may resist help’, as well as health issues like diabetes and epilepsy.
According to ABC, Natalie pointed out those who first rush to help in a car accident may not be medical professionals so the seat belt covers can be vital to helping first responders appropriately care for passengers.
She said:
It’s a safety thing … because anyone can be a first responder at the scene of an accident.
So having the details and they’re clear, they’re noticeable, it’s the first thing you’ll see when you open up that car door.
While some people wear medical bracelets to warn of medical issues, Natalie said these can sometimes go unnoticed or get covered up with clothes. In comparison, the seat belt covers are bright and easy to spot. They can also be attached to other things, like school bags.
The mother is selling her innovative design for $15 AUD (£8) and after sharing the product online she has been inundated with orders.
She continued:
Overnight my phone did not stop. I did not expect it to go worldwide.
The covers are a truly brilliant creation which are sure to help a lot of people.
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.