Using a safe taxi service to transport newborn babies home from hospital

To evaluate an intervention to enhance parents' use of car safety seats (CSSs) for their newborn baby's first journey home from the hospital in a population not usually exposed to television, internet and mainstream printed media.

Parents of newborn babies who did not bring a CSS to the hospital before their baby was discharged were lent a CSS to use in a 'safe taxi' service. All taxi drivers were trained to install the CSS safely. The intervention was evaluated using preprogramme questionnaires and follow-up interviews 4-8 weeks after discharge.

Twelve parents participated in the intervention during the study period (January to April 2011) and in the evaluation process. Eleven couples were Jewish and one was Muslim. Most (75%) reported that they had not previously used CSS routinely and the reason was not financial. Following the 'safe taxi' intervention, 83% reported the use of CSS when travelling in all vehicles (excluding buses). On follow-up, most participants reported that the intervention increased their awareness and the use of CSS.

The intervention, targeted at this specific population, was well received by the parents, increased awareness, changed practices and assured that more newborns travelled home safely in a CSS.