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DEARBORN -- Junell Nichols says the trauma and advanced life-support courses she teaches to nurses and physicians in Longview, Texas, are important to her because those are the people who are going to take care of her and her family in the years to come.
Now, Junell is doing something to help take care of others. Thanks to her suggestion submitted through www.fordnewideas.com -- a Web site established by Ford to solicit suggestions from the public – Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models next year will come equipped with an explanation and photo of how pregnant women should wear safety belts.
"The number-one cause of non-obstetrical deaths in the U.S. during pregnancy is motor vehicle crashes and improper use of the seatbelt," said Nichols, a 60-year old mother of seven and grandmother to 23.
Although aware of the statistic, it wasn't until Nichols saw a laminated safety card with photos in a Ford Focus that she realized an opportunity.
"I was impressed. I thought, 'good Ford is talking to people about how to properly wear seatbelts,'" said Nichols. "Not only did they have information for adults, but they took the time to include young kids and the proper use of infant seats. They had pictures. I thought that was great."
But Nichols thought Ford could go one step further and even better serve the public by adding information on how a pregnant woman should wear a safety belt. Ford agreed. Beginning with the 2011 model year, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles will include such information and a photo in the owners guide.
"It's great (that Ford) listened. And to know that I might help save somebody's life is humbling. I think everybody wants to make a difference in the world. I just took a piece of knowledge and sent it in," explained Nichols.
"We’re grateful to Junell for submitting her idea and are very excited to share this important information with our customers," said Stacy Baker-Cole, corporate identity associate, Ford Global Technologies, LLC. "We applaud Junell's community spirit and desire to help make the world a safer, better place.
Ford hopes to have more suggestions through its Web site submission process at www.fordnewideas.com.
“It allows customers to have a voice in what they would like to see on our future models," added Baker-Cole.
Nichols says that Ford has won a "customer for life." As a result of this experience with the company, Junell recently purchased a new Ford Escape.