Plunket’s national injury prevention research has shown it is common for only 10% to 20% of child-restraint car seats to be fitted and used without any errors.
To help reduce risk in the district, Clutha District Council road safety co-ordinator Rachel Harrison, and Whānau Āwhina Plunket community services and injury prevention co-ordinator Tina Mangoes began with a car restraint check and advice day at Kai Kids Preschool in Kaitangata.
"The checks are not to penalise or chastise parents or carers. We would just love to be able to check that your seat is in safely and correctly and that your babies will be kept safe," Mrs Harrison said.
"Something as simple as having a buckle on the wrong way can compromise the safety of the seat ...
"These days are to inform and educate parents and whanau on the safe and correct use of child restraints, which includes checking straps, fit in car, and fit on the child."
The visits also offer advice and information about the dangers of buying second-hand car seats, finding the seat’s expiry date and seeing if it needs to be replaced, and knowing not to use a seat if it has been inside a vehicle during a crash.
Car crashes are one of the biggest dangers to New Zealand children and by law, all passengers under the age of 8 must use a child-restraint car seat appropriate for their age, size, and development.
They cannot travel in a vehicle without an approved child restraint.
"We are hoping to get out and about in our district around as many early childhood education centres as possible. Please come and see us, even just for a chat," Mrs Harrison said.
Child restraint installation, support, education and supply by experienced child restraint technicians is also available directly from Whānau Āwhina Plunket.
