Kidsafe Victoria works to reduce the instance of accidental injury or death among children at home, on the road and during play, and says incorrectly fitted or used child car seats are dramatically increasing the risk of transport-related injuries for some users in the Goulburn Valley.
The results were found by Kidsafe Victoria’s ‘Safe Seats, Safe Kids’ free child car restraint fitting and checking program.
“The risk of life-threatening injuries has been shown to be four to six times greater when child car restraints are incorrectly fitted or used,” Kidsafe Victoria chief executive Melanie Courtney said.
“Ensuring child car restraints are properly installed can be challenging for parents if they haven’t been shown how to do so, which is why the ‘Safe Seats, Safe Kids’ program is so important.”
Kidsafe Victoria said it recently inspected 38 child car restraints in Greater Shepparton, with 82 per cent incorrectly installed or used, including 47 per cent that required an adjustment and 35 per cent that required a complete refit.
Statewide, of 16,000 checks, 86 per cent were incorrectly fitted.
“Many parents and carers who attend one of our free checking days simply don't know that their child isn't restrained safely,” Ms Courtney said.
“On average, around seven children under 15 are killed and 300 are injured each year on Victorian roads.”
Typical issues relating to incorrect installation include:
- Top tether straps that are twisted, connected to the wrong point in the vehicle or not connected to an anchor point at all;
- Twisted harness straps or harness straps that are at the incorrect height;
- Seatbelts that are threaded through the incorrect path;
- ISOFIX attachments that aren’t secured correctly; and
- Children who have been graduated to the next stage of restraint before they are the right size.
Parents and carers, including grandparents, can book a free appointment to have their child car restraint installed or inspected at the Mooroopna Community House where free fitting and checking days are regularly held at www.safeseatssafekids.com.au
A free e-learning tool has also been created as part of the program to assist parents and carers in choosing, installing and using child car restraints correctly at https://safeseatssafekids.com.au/courses/child-car-restraints/
For information and advice on the best practice guidelines for the safe transportation of children, visit https://safeseatssafekids.com.au/resources/
