The free Child Restraint Checking Day, a service provided by Parkes Shire Council, Col Fletcher Ford and Kia and Parkes Tyrepower, discovered 80% of the child restraints checked were incorrectly fitted.
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The service provided free child restraint inspections at the two Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Station in Parkes.
Eleven child restraints were brought in by parents, grandparents and carers for checking and four child restraints were fully installed.
Parkes Shire Council's Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor said research shows two out of three child restraints are not being used properly and this puts children at risk of sustaining injuries if they are involved in a crash.
“Most of the child restraints that were checked had minor problems that needed fixing to ensure the safety of the child,” Ms Suitor said.
“The most common mistakes were related to the use of the lap sash seatbelt and the straps on the child restraint - they needed tightening, they were too tight, they were twisted or they were being used incorrectly.
“Many of the restraints checked also needed additional parts like gated buckles to ensure the safety of the restraint and the child.
“The correct fitting and adjustment of child restraints is vital. It is important to make sure that your precious cargo is safe and buckled up every time they are in the car - whether it's a five minute or five hour journey.”
Information and advice was also available about the types of child restraints, the national laws and when to move children from one restraint to the next.
While this Child Restraint Checking Day was the annual event hosted by Council, Col Fletcher Ford and Kia and Parkes Tyrepower install and check child restraints every day for a small fee.
For further information please contact Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils' Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, on (02) 6861 2364.