Kidsafe Victoria is urging parents and carers to check their child restraints are correctly installed and adjusted, as thousands of families prepare to head off on holidays over Easter and the school break.

Transport injuries are the most common cause of child injury death and the second most common cause of injury related hospital admission for Australian children aged 0-14 years.

A correctly fitted and appropriately sized child restraint can decrease the risk of serious injury by up to 7 times in a collision. Alarmingly, evidence suggests that over 70% of child restraints are incorrectly fitted or used.

Jason Chambers, Acting CEO of Kidsafe Victoria, highlighted the importance of ensuring that child car restraints are correctly fitted and adjusted on every trip, no matter how long or short.

"Whether you are off on a long road trip for a holiday or simply heading down the road to visit family and friends this Easter, it is important that the restraint your child is travelling in is the right size for them, correctly fitted to the vehicle and properly adjusted and fastened to fit them", Mr Chambers said.

Kidsafe Victoria's 'Find A Fitter' website, which was launched in October last year, allows parents and carers to easily search for child restraint fitters in their local area who can assist them to ensure their child restraints are correctly installed and being used correctly. Parents and carers can search for a child restraint fitter in their local area by visiting www.findafitter.com.au

Click here to read the Frequently Asked Questions by parents.

Media Enquiries
Ron Smith, Media Communications, Kidsafe Victoria - Mobile: 0417 329 201