Child car seat safety shows step in the right direction

More parents are now choosing and fitting the correct child car seats, according to results from special clinics run by Bury Council's road safety team.

Over the two-day clinic, held at Asda stores in Bury and Pilsworth and in partnership with Child Seat Safety Ltd, some 88 car seats were checked and 47 (53%) were found to be correctly fitted. This is an improvement on the last three years, when just 129 (45%) of the 287 car seats inspected were properly fitted and suited for the child and vehicle.

Experts point out that incorrectly fitted seats will not work properly in a crash. Children need extra protection in cars because their bodies are not fully developed and they are particularly vulnerable to head and neck injuries in a collision.

Jan Brabin, senior road safety officer at Bury Council, said: “It is very positive to see this improvement and to see more parents specifically coming to seek us out for help and advice. However, there is still huge room for improvement and it is vital that parents are helped through the complicated process of choosing a suitable child car seat and ensuring it is fitted correctly."

Officers say they are available all year round to provide advice - see the Road Safety section of the council's website (www.bury.gov.uk) for more information about the latest developments.

Julie Dagnall from Child Seat Safety Ltd said: "Fitting child car seats correctly can be complicated given the huge variety in the types of child car seats and vehicles available on the market. We always recommend buying from a retailer who will show you how to fit the car seat and let you try before you buy. Not all child car seats are universal, but developments with ISOFIX and I-Size will seek to improve compatibility and ease of use."

The most common problems found were: harnesses which were too loose, seatbelts not routed properly, incorrect use of locking mechanisms, twisted seatbelts, and incorrectly positioned headrests.

In-car safety top tips:

* It is illegal to put a rearward facing child seat in the front passenger seat of a car, where there is an active airbag fitted.

* Adjust the internal straps when your child changes clothes or as your child develops to ensure that they are secure.

* Don’t buy child restraints on the internet as you will not be shown how to fit them and it may not be suitable for your vehicle.

* Don’t use second-hand child car seats as they have a lifespan of approximately five years and you cannot guarantee their history.

* If you are involved in a bump, crash or collision you should replace the child car seat even if no one was in the seat at the time. Some insurers will replace them for free as part of your policy.

ENDS

Press release issued: 29 July 2015.

Picture: Claire Williams of Child Seat Safety Ltd inspects a car seat.