Kidsafe Victoria has found that 70 per cent of child car restraints in Moira Shire are incorrectly fitted or used, dramatically increasing the risk of transport-related injuries.
The organisation is urging local parents and carers to regularly check that their child car restraints are correctly installed and adjusted to fit their child, and to book in for a free fitting or check.
Of the 52 child car restraints recently inspected in the area, 73 per cent were incorrectly installed or used, including:
- forty-eight per cent that required adjustment; and
- five per cent that required a complete refit.
Kidsafe Victoria chief executive Melanie Courtney said the findings showed a shocking amount of kids were at risk due to incorrectly installed or used child restraints.
“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.”
The program aims to combat incorrectly fitted child car restraints and improve safety outcomes for children travelling in vehicles.
Incorrect installation and usage issues identified as part of the program include:
- top tether straps that are twisted, connected to the wrong point in the vehicle or not connected to an anchor point at all;
- twisted harness straps or harness straps that are at the incorrect height;
- seatbelts that are threaded through the incorrect path;
- ISOFIX attachments that aren’t secured correctly; and
- children who have been graduated to the next stage of restraint before they are the right size.
Transport-related incidents are among the leading causes of accidental deaths among Australian children.
On average, around seven children under 15 are killed and 300 are injured each year on Victorian roads.
Moira Shire parents and care givers can book a free appointment to have their child car restraint installed or inspected at the Cobram Community House and Yarrawonga Neighbourhood House by visiting www.safeseatssafekids.com.au