Alarming statistics from child-restraint checking program

More than 90 per cent of child restraints inspected by specialist fitters during a Holden-sponsored initiative in Victoria and South Australia were found to be incorrectly fitted.

That’s the alarming statistic from the 250 child restraints the program has dealt with so far this year.

Buckle Up Kids is a free initiative offered to owners of all vehicles, not just Holdens. It was relaunched in Victoria and South Australia in February 2011 and is due to launch in Queensland later this month.

Under the program, vehicle owners are offered a full inspection of their child restraints by a professional fitter, including instructions on how to rectify the fitting of the restraint if required.

Holden’s Internal Communications and Community Relations Advisor, Kristi Beaglehole, said the company has had a good response to the program, despite the high number of incorrectly fitted restraints,

“Buckle Up Kids fitters have inspected more than 250 child restraints this year, and some child care centres are now booking their second or third Buckle Up Kids event since the program commenced,” Ms Beaglehole said.

“When it comes to demonstrating the value of the program, the statistics speak for them themselves. More than 90 per cent of the restraints Buckle Up Kids fitters inspected this year required some form of rectification.

“The fitters tell us the most common problems they observe requiring attention are the correct fitting and adjustment of the harness straps, anchor (tether) strap, and seat belts,” Ms Beaglehole said. The findings are further evidence for the need to introduce ISOFIX child safety technology in Australia.

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