9 out of 10 child car restraints incorrectly installed or used

Kidsafe Victoria are calling on parents and carers to regularly check that their child car restraints are correctly installed and adjusted to fit their child, in a bid to reduce the number of transport related injuries.
The call comes as recent inspections of over 6,000 child car restraints (conducted as part of the Safe Seats, Safe Kids program) revealed that 9 out of 10 (91%) were incorrectly installed or used. Half of the child car restraints inspected (51%) required an adjustment to be made while over one third (38%) required a full re-installation.
Kidsafe Victoria CEO, Melanie Courtney, highlighted the importance of ensuring that children are transported in a child car restraint that is correctly installed and adjusted to fit them properly, on every trip.
“Incorrectly installed or used child car restraints significantly increase the risk of a child suffering a serious injury or death in the event of a crash.
“No matter how long or short the trip, it is critical to take the time to ensure that your child’s car restraint is correctly installed and adjusted to fit them properly, to keep them safe.”
The recent inspections were undertaken as part of the ‘Safe Seats, Safe Kids’ program, which is run by Kidsafe Victoria in partnership with Neighbourhood Houses Victoria, with support from the Victorian State Government. As part of the program, accredited professional child car restraint fitters provide free fittings and safety checks at dedicated days around the State.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Martin Foley said the program formed part of the State Government’s commitment to providing parents the support they need to give their kids the best start in life.
“Learning to correctly fit a car restraint, provides peace of mind for parents that your children are travelling safely on our roads.
“I encourage all parents and carers to book in for a free child car restraint fitting or check at their local Safe Seats, Safe Kids day,” Minister Foley said.

Common incorrect installation and usage issues identified as part of the program include:
• Top tether straps that were 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 were at the incorrect height
• Seatbelts which were threaded through the incorrect path, or were loose
• ISOFIX attachments which weren’t secured correctly
• Children who had been graduated to the next stage of restraint before they were the right size

To provide additional support to parents and carers and assist them to keep their kids safe in the car, Kidsafe Victoria have also launched a new free online e-learning tool.
The e-learning tool provides practical information and advice – relevant to a child’s age and stage – on topics including choosing, installing, adjusting and using child car restraints and booster seats.
‘Safe Seats, Safe Kids’ program provides free child car restraint fittings and checks for Victorian families.
Parents and carers – including grandparents – can book a free appointment to have their child car restraint installed or inspected by visiting the Safe Seats Safe Kids website and sign up to the new free e-learning course.

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