More than 80 percent of vehicle child restraints are fitted or used incorrectly...an alarming figure, but one that can be easily fixed with some simple tips.
Goodstart Early Learning Hobart West teamed up with RACT and Kidsafe to help parents protect the lives of children travelling in cars as part of National Road Safety Week.
Tasmania State Manager Chris Symons and Goodstart Hobart West staff, families and children were joined by Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania (RACT) Monday 2 May to conduct free safety vehicle inspections and demonstrate the correct installation and adjustment of child restraints.
Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of child death in Australia, with the failure to use or install seatbelts and restraints correctly forming one of the five major causes of death or injury. Some of the most common mistakes are seats and seat bases installed too loosely in a vehicle, twisted harnesses and faulty or broken belt buckles.
A correctly fitted car restraint can decrease the risk of serious injury by up to seven times in a collision.
Goodstart and RACT recognise that parents and carers, including grandparents, can benefit enormously from road safety education information.
Goodstart’s participation in National Road Safety Week forms part of a wider initiative that Goodstart Tasmania is undertaking with RACT and Kidsafe Tasmania over the next 12 months to educate staff and families on child safe practices.
For more information about Goodstart Early Learning health and safety policies and procedures, please visit your nearest early learning centre online or call us on 1800 222 543.
Goodstart Early Learning Hobart West teamed up with RACT and Kidsafe to help parents protect the lives of children travelling in cars as part of National Road Safety Week.
Tasmania State Manager Chris Symons and Goodstart Hobart West staff, families and children were joined by Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania (RACT) Monday 2 May to conduct free safety vehicle inspections and demonstrate the correct installation and adjustment of child restraints.
Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of child death in Australia, with the failure to use or install seatbelts and restraints correctly forming one of the five major causes of death or injury. Some of the most common mistakes are seats and seat bases installed too loosely in a vehicle, twisted harnesses and faulty or broken belt buckles.
A correctly fitted car restraint can decrease the risk of serious injury by up to seven times in a collision.
With this in mind, RACT urges parents to follow these simple tips:
- check that child car restraints are correctly installed and adjusted every time they were used, no matter how long or short the journey
- ensure children are restrained with seatbelts and booster seats that are appropriate for their age and size
- ensure rearward facing and forward facing restraints are installed with a top tether, with the strap securely fastened to prevent the restraint from moving forward in a crash.
Goodstart and RACT recognise that parents and carers, including grandparents, can benefit enormously from road safety education information.
Goodstart’s participation in National Road Safety Week forms part of a wider initiative that Goodstart Tasmania is undertaking with RACT and Kidsafe Tasmania over the next 12 months to educate staff and families on child safe practices.
For more information about Goodstart Early Learning health and safety policies and procedures, please visit your nearest early learning centre online or call us on 1800 222 543.