Keeping children safe in car seats

Up to ninety-three percent of child car restraints in Queensland are incorrectly installed or used, according to a recent study by Kidsafe  - a non-government, not-for-profit, charitable organization dedicated to the prevention of unintentional childhood injuries.

They concluded that this places too many of our babies, toddlers and children at risk of serious injury or death in the event of a car accident.

Kidsafe recently visited a major regional centre in Queensland and found that 93% of child car restraints checked did not secure children safely.

Kidsafe and a local news network randomly selected cars at a North Side shopping centre to check the child car restraints and found 100% of the restraints checked put the kids at risk. Most common problem found was harnesses not at the right height for the child, twisted straps, seat belts and tether straps.

An analysis from Kidsafe’s Brisbane child car restraint checking and fitting centre confirmed that between 70 and 90% of child car restraints were not correctly used, installed or the right restraint for the child.

It is essential when installing a child car restraint to read the instructions carefully. The instruction booklet will tell you how to use the child car restraint, how to install it and what child the car restraint is suitable for.  

Many people are also not sure of the child car restraint laws and are selecting the wrong restraint for their baby or child. If there are any doubts people can call Kidsafe on 3854 1829 for clarification of the rules or how to use a child car restraint.  

Further information is also available at their website http://www.kidsafeqld.com.au/