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In the event of a collision or an emergency braking situation, an unrestrained child can be seriously injured or killed by hitting the interior or being thrown through a window.
When fitted correctly, car restraints have proven to be very effective in preventing injuries to children in a crash.
By law, the onus is on the driver to ensure that passengers under 16 years of age are restrained correctly.
Legislation
- It is the duty of the driver to ensure that all passengers between the ages of one year and 16 years, who are occupying seat positions with a seat belt, are wearing the seat belt and it is correctly adjusted and securely fastened.
- The exceptions to this are, if the passenger is wearing a suitable child restraint, which is properly adjusted and securely fastened or the passenger can produce a medical certificate at the relevant time.
- The driver must also ensure that any passenger less than 12 months of age is wearing a suitable child restraint and that it is properly adjusted and securely fastened. There are also some exceptions to this, which can be found in the Road Traffic Code 2000.
Australian standard
- By law, every child restraint sold in Australia must meet strict requirements on its construction and performance.
- These requirements are set out in the Australian Standard (AS 1754-2000) and cover materials, design, construction, performance, testing and labelling of child restraints.
- The standard is strictly enforced and recognised as one of the highest standards in the world.
- Every restraint sold must carry the Australian Standards Mark.
- This symbol certifies that the restraint fully meets the standard.
Tips
- Ensure that your restraint has been correctly fitted. If you are fitting the restraint yourself, carefully follow the manufacturer's instruction book or if in any doubt Contact the Kidsafe Child Restraint Information line on 1800 802 244.
- RAC Community Education conduct free child restraint advice checking stations at shopping centre carparks and the like. For dates of our next checking station contact Community Education on 9436 4471.
- Don't use a second-hand restraint that is over ten years old. Restraints deteriorate and newer restraints are manufactured to higher standards. Don't risk your child's safety; buy the best you can afford.
- Investigate all the options before you buy. Make use of all the material available from manufacturers and consult with the Government road authority before you purchase.
Types
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Rearward-facing infant restraint (birth to 9kg). - The high sides help to protect the baby in the event of a side impact and the removable bassinette allows you to carry your baby from the car undisturbed.
- The restraint is secured using one of the vehicle's adult seat belts and is fastened at the top anchorage point by an upper tether strap.
- A baby must be transported facing the rear of the vehicle as their neck muscles are still developing so they can not yet support their head.
- Because of the restraints rearward-facing position it may not fit in some vehicles. Check this before you purchase.
- Convertible child restraint (birth to 18kg).
- This restraint can be mounted rearward-facing for an infant and forward-facing for an older child.
- The infant position suits a child up to 9-12kg and the child position is for children from 9-12 kg to 18kg.
- For the best protection the child should be left in the rearward-facing position for as long as possible (up to the maximum weight specified by the manufacturer).
- The restraint can be changed to the forward-facing position once the child is able to sit and easily hold their head up.
- Secured using one of the vehicle's adult seat belts and fastened to the anchorage point by the upper tether strap.Before you purchase this type, check that it will fit into the vehicle in the rearward-facing position.
- Forward-facing child restraint (8kg to 18kg).
- When your child is able to sit and easily hold their head upright, they are ready for this type of restraint.
- The restraint is secured using one of the vehicle's adult seat belts and fastened to the anchorage point by an upper tether strap.
- Convertible booster seat (8kg to 26kg).
- Combines a forward-facing child restraint with a child booster seat.
- As the child grows, the six-point harness can be removed and the restraint becomes a child booster seat.
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Your child is then harnessed with the use of the vehicle lap/sash seat belt.- The main safety benefit of the child booster seat is that it allows the child to be harnessed effectively by the vehicle's seat belt.
- Always ensure the sash part of the seat belt is kept away from the child's neck and that the lap section fits over the hips of the child and not their stomach.
- Child booster cushion (14kg to 26kg).
- Once your child reaches 14kg, they will be able to use a child booster cushion.
- The primary safety benefit of this type is to elevate the child to a level where they are effectively restrained by the vehicle's seat belt.
- If using a child booster cushion, the eye level of your child should not exceed the level of the car seat back or headrest whilst they are seated.
- Ensure that the seat belt follows the appropriate path to hold the child booster cushion in place and (preferably) use it in the centre seating position with a lap/sash belt or a child safety harness with a lap belt.
- Polystyrene booster seat (14ks to 26kg).
- Booster seats have a high back and side wings to minimise movement of the child within the seat.
- Most booster seats also have a sash locator guide to help position the vehicle's seat belt in the correct position across the child's shoulder to ensure that it does not rub against the child's neck.
- Safety child booster seat (14kg to 26kg).
- Combines the safety aspects of a child restraint with the benefits of a booster seat.
- It can be used for children from 14kg to 26kg and is constructed from a compression resistant plastic.
Safety features include an upper tether strap to reduce neck and head injuries and an anchor point for a child safety harness attachment.- Child booster seats should not be used if your child's eye level exceeds the top edge of the car seat back or the child booster seat back.
- To maximise your child's safety it is advisable to use a child safety harness in conjunction with a booster seat.
- Never use a lap only seat belt with a booster seat.
- In the event of crash, using a lap only belt will result in the child's upper body being more likely to come into contact with the inside of the vehicle.
- Child safety harness (14kg to 32kg).
- Improves upper torso support by controlling movement from the pelvis to the shoulders therefore, further protecting your child in a collision.
- The harness should only be used when the child's shoulders are below the top of the car seat back or headrest.
- The child safety harness is attached to a rear anchorage point and is used in conjunction with any other adult seat belt.
- A gated buckle should be used to convert a lap/sash seat belt into a lap only device, so it can fit through the lower section of the harness.
- Child safety harness must be utilised if the child booster seat is used with a lap only seat belt.
