Local parents turn out for child restraint checks
26/05/2009
Twisted straps, seatbelts and tether straps were some of the main faults identified at this year's annual Kidsafe WA Child Car Restraint Checking Day in Karrinyup.
Kidsafe WA, in partnership with SGIO, checked more than 90 child car restraints as local parents turned out in numbers on Monday 25th May at Karrinyup Shopping Centre.
Kidsafe WA CEO Sue Wicks said nearly 70 per cent of child car restraints were found to be incorrectly fitted on the day.
“Car crashes are a leading cause of child deaths in Australia and 68 per cent of child restraints we checked were either incorrectly fitted or incorrectly in use, reducing their effectiveness,” she said.
“Parents can reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a car crash by as much as 70 per cent by using a correctly installed child car restraint.”
“When the restraint is not secured by the seatbelt, or the harnessing is not correctly adjusted, it puts the child at far greater risk of serious injury should an accident occur,” she said.
The trained Kidsafe WA staff who checked the installation of the child restraints on the day also showed parents how to use the seats so that their children were better protected, as well as providing parents with a written summary of the assessments.
Other faults encountered on the day included restraints over 10 years of age, loose harnesses over children and restraints not attached to anchorage points.
SGIO State Manager Colin Tierney urged parents to take steps to ensure the safety of children when travelling in cars.
“SGIO is committed to helping develop safer, stronger communities and we encourage parents to contact Kidsafe for information on how to ensure their child restraints are fitted correctly,” he said.
For more information on Kidsafe WA’s regular child restraint fitting, checking and hire service at their Subiaco centre, contact Kidsafe on (08) 9340 8509 or visit www.kidsafewa.com.au.