Did you know that the City of Wanneroo provides a free child car restraint safety checking and fitting service for residents?
Bookings are essential so please call the City’s Road Safety and TravelSmart officer on 9405 5384.
Each year approximately 1300 children are killed or injured on WA roads. This equates to 14 child passengers aged between 0-16 years killed on Western Australia roads, with a further 230 seriously injured. For the period 1990-1999, 33% of drivers and passengers killed in road crashes were not wearing seat belts. Seatbelt and child restraint use has been known to be very effective in reducing deaths and serious injuries in a crash. Yet non-use of seatbelts and child restraints remains a major contributor to road trauma.
All children should be seated in a suitable restraint when travelling in a car for their own safety. Adult seatbelts do not offer sufficient protection for babies and children and an appropriate child restraint must be used until your child reaches seven years or 26 kg in weight. Children are much safer in a purpose designed child restraint and booster seats.
Children need to use different restraints as their bodies grow. They will begin with a rearward-facing child restraint, progress to a forward-facing child restraint and then graduate to a booster seat before using an adult seatbelt when they are tall enough.
BEFORE SELECTING A RESTRAINT
- Safety Standards: Child car restraints must have an Australian Standards mark to be used legally.
- Weight and size: Keep an eye on your child’s weight and height. There are a number of child car restraints available and it is important that you choose the restraint that is appropriate and provides the best protection for your child. Check your child’s eye level is no higher than the top of the restraint.
- The age of the restraint: Child car restraints older than 10 years are not recommended.
- The history of the restraint: Do not use a restraint that has been in a crash (even if it does not appear damaged), shows signs of wear or tear, crease marks in the plastic or frayed straps. Make sure everything is in working order- the buckle and adjusters must work correctly- and that no pieces are missing.
- Does the restraint fit your car: Make sure the child car restraint is the right fit for the model of your car. It is very important for the restraint to be correctly installed.
Child restraints should never be used in vehicles seats that face rearward (towards the back of the car) or sideways. Never fit a restraint with an airbag in front of it.
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