Is Your Child Restraint Fitted Correctly?

Tuesday, 27 October 2015 08:42

Kidsafe Victoria is urging all parents purchasing and using child restraints to check the fit of these in celebration of the 45th birthday of the first Australian standard for child restraints.

In 1970, 77 Australian children died in motor vehicle accidents with 3000 receiving serious injuries. By 2013, despite the population having doubled, this figure had more than halved, with 35 child fatalities and 1100 receiving serious injuries.

Erica Edmands, President of Kidsafe Victoria, said over the past 45 years the introduction of child restraints has had a significant impact in reducing child injuries, a remarkable outcome given that the population has doubled over this time.

Despite the significant decrease, transport injuries are still 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. (* Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)

Ms Edmands said, "With evidence consistently suggesting that over 70% of child restraints are not fitted correctly, it is vital that parents and carers are provided with information, advice and assistance to ensure that their child restraints are fitted correctly and their children are travelling as safely as possible."

**The incorrect or inappropriate use of child car restraints increases the risk of injury to a child in a crash by up to 7 times. (** Neuroscience Research Australia)

"These figures demonstrate the importance of ensuring that child restraints are fitted correctly on every trip," said Ms Edmands.

Kidsafe Victoria is using National Kidsafe Day to celebrate the 45th birthday since the introduction of child restraints with children and parents at Gowrie Victoria Carlton North.

The event will include the launch of 'Find a Fitter', Kidsafe Victoria's new online child restraint fitting station listing.

The listing will provide parents and carers with easy access to details of credible, experienced child restraint fitters across Victoria who can assist them to ensure their child restraints are correctly installed.

The celebration will include a demonstration to create awareness of the most important issues to check when having a child restraint fitted to a vehicle, to ensure children are travelling as safely as possible.

Andrew Hume, Chief Executive Officer of Gowrie Victoria, who are supporting the program, said "Child restraints play a vital role in keeping children safe when travelling in cars and it is important to ensure these restraints are both correctly fitted and suitable for the child's age."

Parents and carers will be able to access the new 'Find a Fitter' online child restraint fitting station listing by visiting www.kidsafevic.com.au or www.findafitter.com.au

Kidsafe Victoria would like to acknowledge the TAC Community Road Safety Grants Program for supporting the development of 'Find a Fitter', as well as valued sponsors, InfaSecure and Safety 1st.

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

MEDIA ALERT

National Kidsafe Day
11.00am Tuesday 27 October 2015

45th Birthday of Child Restraints
Incorrect or inappropriate use of child car restraints increases the risk of injury to a child in a crash by up to 7 times.**
Gowrie Victoria
36 Newry Street, Carlton North

Background information
National child restraint laws

Children under 6 months of age must:

Use a rearward facing restraint that is properly fitted to the vehicle and adjusted to fit the child's body correctly.

Best practice recommendation: Infants have relatively large heads and weak necks which put them at particularly high risk of serious injuries. It is best to keep children in their rear facing restraint until they reach the maximum size limit - rear facing restraints provide the required head and neck support that a child needs.

Children 6 months to 4 years of age must:

Use either a rearward facing restraint OR a forward facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness, that is properly fitted to the vehicle and adjusted to fit the child's body correctly

Best practice recommendation: Keep children in their forward facing restraint with inbuilt harness until they reach the maximum size limit. Just because a child has turned 4 does not mean that they are ready to safely use a booster seat with an adult lap sash seatbelt.

Children 4 to 7 years of age must:

Use either a forward facing child restraint with inbuilt harness OR a booster seat with a properly fastened and adjusted seatbelt.

Best practice recommendation: Different models of booster seat accommodate children up to different sizes, and some can fit children up until they can get good seat belt fit. When choosing a booster seat, look for one that will fit your child for as long as possible, especially if your child is tall for their age.

Children over 7 years of age must:

Use either a booster seat with a properly fastened and adjusted adult seatbelt OR an adult seatbelt.

Best practice recommendation: Children should continue to use a booster seat as long as possible, until they can fit properly into an adult seat belt. A good adult seat belt fit is generally not achieved before children are approximately 145cm tall, or 11-12 years of age.

http://www.kidsafe.com.au/crguidelines