The correct fitting and adjustment of child restraints is vital.
Free child restraint checking events held in Forbes, Parkes and Condobolin by local Authorised Child Restraint Fitters, in partnership with Transport for NSW and local councils, found that 81% of child restraints inspected were incorrectly fitted.
Twenty-seven child restraints were brought in by parents and grandparents for checking – mostly rearward/forward facing converter child restraints or forward facingbooster converter child restraints.
There were also three installations.
The most common errors were: twisted harness straps, the seatbelt anchoring the child restraint was loose, the ISOfix connectors anchoring the child restraint were loose, extension straps were needed to anchor the top tether strap, gated buckles were needed to ensure a tighter fit and top tether straps were loose and/or twisted.
While these were free bi-annual events, local Authorised Child Restraint Fitters can install and check child restraints all year-round for a small fee. The local fitter in Forbes is Jelbart. Dawson. The fitter in Parkes are Parkes Ford and Parkes Tyrepower. 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.
Visit www.childcarseats.com.au for more information about child restraint rules, types, FAQs and to view the rating results. The ratings indicate the comparative safety a child restraint provided its occupant.