Vast majority of child car restraints are incorrectly installed
Kidsafe Victoria reveals the unnerving percentage child car seats that aren’t fitted properlyA new study has found 86 per cent of child car restraints – baby capsules, child seats, booster seats, etc – are incorrectly fitted or used, prompting an urgent call from Kidsafe Victoria for parents and carers to regularly check their child’s restraints.
The figures were extrapolated from findings of the recent ‘Safe Seats, Safe Kids’ child car restraint fitting and checking program, which found 47 per cent of the more than 16,000 inspected restraints were in need of adjustment, 37 per cent needed a complete refit and two per cent needed replacing completely either due to damage, age or not meeting Australian compliance.
Kidsafe Victoria CEO Melanie Courtney said the figures highlighted the immense danger posed by incorrectly installed or used child restraints, with the biggest set-up faults being twisted or disconnected top tethers, twisted or wrongly-adjusted harness straps, wrong seatbelt routing, unsecure ISOFIX attachments and incorrect restraint sizing.
“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,” she 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.
“Many parents and carers who attend one of our free checking days simply don't know that their child isn't restrained safely.”
Courtney also pointed out that accredited fitters can “provide education and advice” to parents to ensure their child/children are safe on every trip.
Statistics show that on average around seven children aged under 15 are killed – and 300 injured – each year on Victorian roads.
A free e-learning tool has been created and is available here as part of the ‘Safe Seats, Safe Kids’ program to assist parents and carers in choosing, installing and using child car restraints correctly.
Related: Children and car safety: Everything you should know
Related: Six things parents need to know about child car seats
Related: How long should kids stay in child safety seats?
Related: Half of Aussie parents are installing child seats incorrectly
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