Terrified of seatbelts!

[MissLiss460]

Okay so I make sure my kids are properly buckled in and stuff but I am so scared of seatbelts! When I was 7 me, my mom, and my aunt were driving to my grandparents house, because it had caught fire in the middle of the night and a drunk driver ran a stop sign and hit our car. I was trapped in the car and nearly died because of the seatbelt! Now I have terrible anxiety over seatbelts. I have never wore one since. Eric's mom gives me hell for it all the time but I just cant wear one without having a panic attack! I have these pre-made plans I have thought of in my head over and over on how to get the kids out of the car quickly! Now Landon is getting to the age where he tells me to put on my seatbelt after I put him in his carseat! What in the world am I going to do?

[Marissa]

Wow Liss, this is a hard one, I wish I could help out on some steps of overcoming your seatbelt fear. I have never experienced a panic attack and can't relate. I am going to look up some info and see what I find.

[Raquel]

aw liss thats scary. i cant imagine how you feel when you put one on. i too dont wear one. but not cuz i'm scared. ijust dont like them. kinsley usually fights w/me and tells me to wear it too though. however she has given up on me.

[Tracy]

You need to get one of these: http://www.survival-supply.com/auto-escape-tool-p-1552.html?osCsid=8360ccadd3b11d8dd20b037ce11ebadc

Get a small bag that you can mount within reach and keep this inside it. It has a cutter and a metal tip for breaking windows. It may give you peace of mind to know that if you ever can't undo your belt, you could cut it off in a matter of seconds. Same thing with the kids harnesses! My MIL supposedly has some for us but I keep forgetting to get them from her. Maybe I'll just order my own because thats a secret fear of mine as well and I've never lived it.

[Tracy]

Here's one you keep on your key chain (which means you can't let the kids play with your keys!): http://www.survival-supply.com/keychain-auto-escape-tool-p-1554.html

[Marissa]

Yes Tracy!! my cousin has that hanging on a lanyard at all times......I could not think of the name!! but yes great option for you Liss...... I know seatbelts can be icky, I have made it a habit to buckle up each time I get in the truck, its kind of like a must .......I know you almost lost your life because of it but the chances are higher of you saving your life that losing it in most cases, I hope this little gadget Tracy suggested helps you over your seatbelt phobia :hug:

[Tracy]

The best thing that ever happened to me when it comes to wearing seatbelts is having a car that beeps at you if you're not wearing it. My DH's car gives up after a few minutes but mine doesn't! It does it for the driver and passenger so no one in the front can get away without wearing one.

But I do understand Liss' fear. I grew up a few streets over from a parapalegic. He lived with a kid we drove to school occasionally (a friend of my DH's). This guy was in an accident and the seltbelts malfunctioned. They didn't hold tight initially and he was thrown through the windshield (before safety glass!) but instead of giving completely out, it pulled him back and trapped him. Had he been ejected, he probably would have been fine but the motion of all this severely damaged his spine. Its one of those things were I know seatbelts save lives but I think of this guy and get nervous about them at times. I always wear it now though. Between the kids and my car, I don't have a choice.

[Marissa]

Tracy I have the same beeping signal also and it won't shut up if you don't have it on.....very true.........

[Jennifer]

OMG, you girls!!! I can not believe you dont wear seatbelts- That is sooooooo bad!!! Shame on you! If I were there, I would spank you right now!!!
I am OCD about seatbelts. I put my seatbelt on before I even pull out of the garage.

[Marissa]

:spank:

Same here Jennifer my seatbelt is on before I leave the garage every morning and at all times before my vehicle is mobile..... I am also OCD about that........I feel Naked without it lol

[MissLiss460]

I think that kit would help ease my fear some! I am much better as long as I have a plan in my head that I know I can get out and get to them quickly! I really want to wear it so I can set a good example for the kids.

[Marissa]

That thing will be good for you Liss, it is small but you will be able to cut the seatbelt if needed or break a window, even under pressure of water.

[MissLiss460]

Just ordered it! $5.99 for that isnt bad at all!

[Marissa]

Yup its not bad at all