|
With the Christmas holiday period approaching, Holden and Kidsafe reinforce the importance of correct use and fitment of child seats and infant capsules.
Car crashes are the number one cause of child death in Australia and misuse of child restraints is responsible for some serious injuries.
Approximately 1,300 child occupants are severely injured or killed each year on Australian roads, according to the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC). Furthermore, it is estimated that around 70 per cent of in-vehicle child restraints are incorrectly fitted or used.
Laurie Sparke, Holden's Manager of Advanced Engineering, said that although the majority of parents acted responsibly by placing their children in restraints, many of them were not fitted or used properly, which could put children at risk of injury.
"With the holiday driving season upon us, it's timely to remind everyone that children are completely dependent upon adults for their safety, and we need to ensure their protection," he said.
"Protecting children in car crashes involves some special challenges. They're not simply small adults. Their physical differences, the way their growing bodies respond to impact loads, their behaviour in cars — all these factors must be taken into account," Laurie Sparke continued.
Tips To Keep Children Safer In Cars
Child restraints in cars can help save lives and prevent serious injuries. It's also the law to have children properly restrained.
- The back seat is the safest place for children of any age.
- Choosing a child restraint is a serious business. Select a model that suits your child's weight, height and age. Weight and height are the key determinants in choosing an appropriate restraint.
- Fit restraints properly. It's critically important to follow instructions and make sure the capsule or seat is firmly fitted, with minimal movement on the car seat. Not all restraints fit all cars.
- Where possible, install the restraint in the centre rear position.
- Don't use a restraint that's been subject to crash forces. If you're not sure, have it inspected.
- If second hand, restraints should meet the Australian Standard AS 1754 (specified on the label), with harness and tethers in excellent condition.
- Do not place a child in a restraint in the front seat when a passenger airbag is fifed.
- A baby is not safe in your arms. Even in a minor crash, collision forces may tear the child from your grip.
- Keep harness and seat belt straps snug at all times.
- It's never safe to leave children in cars, particularly in summer, when temperatures inside a closed car can quickly rise to over 60 degrees Celsius. Leaving windows open a little does not reduce the temperature enough.
Common misuses of child restraints include placing a child in a seat which is inappropriate for the child's weight and height; not anchoring the child seat tightly enough; not using top tethers; incorrectly threading seatbelts; loose and unbuckled seatbelts; twisted and damaged seatbelts.
Holden's strategy for reducing child injury risks involves a free national child restraint safety inspection and education program in partnership with Kidsafe, the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia.
The Holden/Kidsafe free child seat checking program targets the estimated 70 per cent of in-vehicle child restraints that are incorrectly fifed or used. It is the first campaign of its kind to be run on an Australia-wide basis and extends to all makes and models.
Commencing early 2002, weekend drive-in checking stations will be set up at selected Holden dealerships and experts from Kidsafe, the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia, will be on hand to inspect child restraints and give assessments and advice. Free family entertainment will also be provided.
Alison Terry, Holden's Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, says the free child restraint inspection program is a practical method of tackling a widespread community problem.
"It's an initiative that complements Holden's long-term safety strategy of reducing occupant injury risks. The exercise will help to spread the message that choosing the right car restraint and fifing it the right way is critically important if we're to give children the best possible protection.
"We have also produced educational materials on the subject which will be given wide distribution through Holden dealerships, maternity hospitals, infant welfare centres, kindergartens and community groups nationally," she said.
|
