Many children are killed or injured in car crashes every year. Some of these deaths and injuries could be prevented or reduced if the right child car seat is used correctly in your vehicle so it is always important to check that you have the correct car seat for your child. National child restraint laws state that:
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- Children under seven years of age must be secured in the correct child car seat for their age and size
- Children up to the age of six months must be secured in an approved rearward facing restraint
- Children aged from six months old but under four years old must be secured in either a rear or forward facing approved child restraint with an inbuilt harness
- Children under four years old cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows
- Children aged from four years old but under seven years old must be secured in a forward facing approved child restraint with an inbuilt harness or an approved booster seat
- Children aged from four years old but under seven years old cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows, unless all other back seats are occupied by children younger than seven years in an approved child restraint or booster seat
- Children aged from seven years old but under 16 years old who are too small to be restrained by a seat belt properly adjusted and fastened are strongly recommended to use an approved booster seat
- Children in booster seats must be restrained by a suitable lap and sash type approved seat belt that is properly adjusted and fastened, or by a suitable approved child safety harness that is properly adjusted and fastened.
The ages above are a guide for the safety of your child. If your child is too small for a child car seat specified for their age, they should be kept in their current child car seat until they outgrow it. It is also strongly recommended that children seven years and over stay in their booster seat until they are too tall for them, or until they fit well in a normal seat belt.
At the website childcarseats.com.au, parents and carers can compare more than 200 different types of child car seats that have been scientifically tested and rated for safety and ease of use. A child car seat that is easier to use is more likely to be used correctly and a correctly fitted child car seat offers better protection. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing a child car seat and placing your child in it. Ensure clips and seat belts are done up and are correctly adjusted. Check that harness straps are not twisted or caught.
For more information visit www.childcarseats.com.au or www.rms.nsw.gov.au.
* Editorial Supplied
