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By Roby Hope
Step 1. Choose a suitable vehicle
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If
you are considering starting a family start early by
planning your next car purchase.
Think about how many
children you might be having during period you will own
your next car and how they can be accommodated in the
car.
Choose a vehicle that has enough space for the
number of child restraints you will need. Larger cars
can safely fit three in the back, while smaller cars can
only have two fitted safely.
When choosing your next
vehicle, think about space, anchor points, seat belts,
and cargo restraints. |
Space
Allow for enough space,
especially in the rear seats.
Two-door vehicles can be
very difficult for fitting restraints - getting
children
in and out of restraints can also be very awkward and
result in back injuries.
Anchor points
Identify the
number of anchor points and their positions, as
restraints use a tether strap connected to these anchor
points.
Make sure there is enough room between the
back seat and the anchor points so that the tether strap
can be adjusted properly. This can be a problem in some
cars.
People movers seem ideal, but some do not have
anchor points for each seat position. Also the tether
strap and size of some
child restraints can reduce the
seating capacity, so make sure this is not an issue.
Seat belts
A vehicle with a centre lap/sash seat belt
in the rear is safer than one with just a lap belt for
booster seats. The sash seat belt holds the
child more
securely. Usually the newer cars have these centre
lap/sash belts with a centre anchor point.
Make sure
the seat belts are long enough. Some are too short to
thread through some child car seats when in the recline
position.
Cargo barriers
Station wagons should be
fitted with Standards approved cargo barrier. Without
one, luggage and other items can cause serious injury to
passengers in a crash.
Hatchbacks can cause problems
if the parcel shelf interferes with the tether strap. It
should also be possible to fit a cargo barrier or cargo
net with this type of vehicle.
If you need to carry
luggage and other large items, this could cause problems
with the tether strap in a station wagon or hatchback.
Step 2. Select the right restraint
With such a wide
choice, you need to understand the importance of having
a restraint that fits your child's size and weight
(their age is only an indication) starting with an
infant restraint or capsule, moving to a child car seat
and then a booster seat, possibly with a
child harness.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions with each type
and be careful not to move your child to the next type
of restraint if they are not big enough.
Find a
restraint to suit your child
Choose the size and
weight range that matches your
child. Type of restraint
Size range Infant restraint Up to 9 kg - 12 kg Child car
seat 8 kg to 18 kg Booster seat 14 kg to 26 kg Child
harness 14 kg to 32 kg
Check before you buy
Before
you buy a restraint, follow these safety tips:
* Only
purchase and use a restraint carrying the Standards
sticker.
* Try different restraints in your car to see
how they fit before you buy as car seats vary in size
and may be contoured. Not all restraints are suitable
for all cars.
* Only use a second-hand restraint if
you are sure it has not been involved in a crash, is in
good condition and less than 10 years old. Check for
obvious signs of wear on the straps. If the plastic
shell or buckle is cracked or broken or powdering of the
plastic shell is occurring do not use it. Make sure the
buckle and adjusters are working.
Step 3. Install the
child restraint correctly
Approximately 70% of child
restraints are not installed correctly. A
child
restraint that is not fitted properly could result in
serious injury or even the death of a child in a crash.
Many parents/carers fit a child restraint into their car
themselves believing that it is easy. However it is
really a job that needs to be taught correctly by a
restraint fitter. Or make sure you have the restraint
checked before placing your child in the car.
Protect
your children - make sure their restraints are correctly
installed:
* Don't fit the restraint yourself. Use a
Restraint Fitting Station for advice and training on
installing and using the restraint.
* Keep the
instructions that came with the restraint in the
glovebox. This will help if you need to know how to
adjust straps or fit the restraint again.
* Every time
the restraint is used, check that the top tether strap,
if there is one, is firmly connected to the anchor
point.
* Every time the restraint is used, make sure
there are no twists in any straps or belts, and that
these are taut and firm, but not too tight and rigid.
Step 4. Use the
child restraint safely
Children high
restraint usage rates, with restraints used over 95% of
the time but misuse is a significant problem. Some form
of misuse is commonly involved in cases where restrained
children are injured.
To be effective, a child
restraint> must be used correctly:
* The restraint
must be appropriate for the child's size and weight.
*
The child must be securely placed in the restraint.
*
The restraint must be correctly anchored to the vehicle.
Early graduation of children in restraints
Many
parents/carers move a child into the next stage of
restraint before they have reached the appropriate size
for that restraint system. Some
children are also
graduating much too early into adult seatbelts, when
they would be safer in forward-facing child restraint
systems. Compared with children in dedicated
child
restraint systems, children in adult belts are 3.5 times
more likely to sustain a significant injury, particular
to the head.
It is therefore important not to let your
child travel with you in the car if they are not belted
into the correct restraint for their size and weight.
Tips on correct use of
child restraints safely
Protect
children by using restraints safely:
* The safest
position to carry a child is the centre position of the
rear seat.
* Check that the top tether strap is firmly
connected to the anchor point every time the restraint
is used.
* Make sure there are no twists in any straps
or belts, and that these are taut and firm, but not too
tight and rigid every time the restraint is used.
*
Always set a good example for
children and use a seat
belt every time you are in the car.
* Ensure that when
moving a restraint between vehicles it is fitted
properly. A Restraint Fitting Station can provide advice
and check that your restraint is installed correctly.
* Always keep the instructions that came with the
restraint in the glove box. This will help if you need
to adjust straps or fit the restraint again.
* If you
drive a station wagon, hatchback or van make sure that
any luggage and other large items in the rear do not
interfere with the restraint tether strap and that a
cargo barrier has been installed.
Find specific safety
tips for each type of restraint:
* Infant restraint
* Child car seat
* Booster seat
* Child harness
Disposal of old child restraints
When disposing of a
child restraint it is important that you destroy it so
that others are not able to use it.
Destroy your child
restraint if it:
* Does not have the Standard sticker
on the back of the restraint.
* Has been involved in a
crash or shows any signs of wear, tear or structural
damage.
Discover the best way to protect your child
More
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About the Author
Roby Hope Freelance Publisher
child
restraints: safe your child with a correct child
restraint system |
