Research shows children who are not restrained correctly are seven times more likely to sustain life-threatening injuries in a crash than those who are properly secured.
The recent free child restraint checking events, a service provided by Parkes and Forbes Shire Council’s discovered that 54% of the child restraints checked were incorrectly fitted.
The service provided free child restraint inspections in the Kelly Reserve carpark at Parkes and in the Lions Park carpark at Forbes by local Authorised Child Restraint Fitters.
Eleven child restraints were brought in by parents and grandparents for checking in Parkes and 14 in Forbes – mostly rearward/forward facing converter child restraints, along with a few capsules and booster seats.
There were also three installations.
The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said these biannual events continue to be popular.
“The correct fitting and adjustment of child restraints is vital. It is important to make sure that your precious cargo is safe and buckled up every time they are in the car – whether it’s a five minute or five-hour journey,” Ms Suitor said.
While this was a free bi-annual event, local Authorised Child Restraint Fitters can install and check child restraints all year-round for a small fee. The local fitters in Parkes are Col Fletcher Ford & Kia and Parkes Tyrepower.
The local fitter in Forbes is Jelbart Dawson.
The most common issue that we encountered was that the inbuilt harness shoulder straps needed to be adjusted.
National child restraint laws have been in effect since 2010. All children must be safelyfastened into the correct child restraint for their age and size. Children need to be at least 145cm or taller to use an adult lap sash seatbelt.
Visit www.childcarseats.com.au for more information about child restraint rules, types, FAQs and to view the rating results.