Mama and Papa Bears, we have some tough statistics to stomach ahead of us…
Tragically, in Australia the number one cause of injury related deaths in children aged 0–14 years is transport accidents. And when statistics reveal that 70 percent to 80 percent of child car restraints are installed or used incorrectly — this fact doesn’t seem so unfathomable.
Between 2005 and 2020, it was found that 64 percent of South Australian children aged 12 and under who died in transport crashes were not appropriately restrained and 23 percent of the children were not in a child car restraint at all.
This is where Kidsafe SA come in! The not-for-profit organisation exists to promote child safety and prevent serious injury for SA’s youngsters. Their key focus is to keep kids safe at home, at play and on the go… a goal we can all get around!
Kidsafe SA understands that child car restraints are not a straight forward or easy item to fit and learn how to use. So they’e encouraging South Aussie parents and caregivers to pop in for a visit at their Kidsafe Centre Hilton location!
Their gorgeous and trained staff can check or fit the child restraint in your car from just $20, and they also provide extra education for you to ensure you’re confident in how your particular child car restraint is fitted, how to use it and how to adjust the seat as your little one grows. It’s a tiny investment when you think that it could help ensure your child’s safety!
If your littlie is getting a bit older and you’re not quite sure if it’s time to move onto an adult seatbelt or not (big steps, why can’t they stay tiny forever!), never fear — Kidsafe SA recommend a five step test:
Step 1: Can your child sit with their back against the vehicle seat?
Step 2: Do your child’s knees bend in front of the edge of the seat cushion?
Step 3: Is the lap belt sitting low across your child’s hips and touching their thighs?
Step 4: Does the sash belt sit across the middle of your child’s shoulder?
Step 5: Can your child stay seated correctly like this for the entire trip?
If they pass all these steps with flying colours, they’re ready for an adult seatbelt. If not, that’s okay — for their safety, it’s best to keep them in a car restraint until you think they’re ready to try the step test again.
We all know how lucky we are to have our little ones — we’d do anything for them. Ensuring their car restraint is installed correctly and securely is a small thing that can go a loooong way. And with Kidsafe SA available to do the hard part and take some of the pressure off, why wouldn’t you?
Head to the Kidsafe SA website to find out more about booking a restraint fitting today, or visit them at 6/69 Sir Donald Bradman Drive.
