Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor pictured at the recent child restraint checking events in Parkes and Forbes.
The recent free child restraint checking events, a service provided by Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils, discovered that 79% of the child restraints checked were incorrectly fitted.
The service provided free child restraint inspections in Parkes, Forbes and Condobolin, by local Authorised Child Restraint Fitters. Nineteen child restraints were brought in by parents and grandparents for checking – mostly rearward/forward facing converter child restraints or forward facing/booster converter child restraints. There were also two installations.
The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said these bi-annual events continue to be popular.
“The child restraints that were incorrectly fitted had minor problems that needed fixing to ensure the safety of the child” Ms Suitor said.
“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 these safety checks were free biannual events, 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 local fitter in Condobolin is Central West Tyre Service.
National child restraint laws have been in effect since 2010. All children must be safely fastened 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.
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.
You can visit www.childcarseats.com.au for more information about child restraint rules.