Kids....Car Seat Safety.

[Kikki]

Hey all, noticed a few of us have kids So thought I would share this..... I only found out about it a couple of weeks ago, and its interesting how my kids are 5 & 4 yet I only just found out about it, also the fact there are no specific rulings as to how your child (over 12 months) should be safely seated in a car, apart from the normal "must wear a seatbelt". I didnt know that a booster seat with an adult seatbelt wasnt good enough for a child untill they are 8 years old, Iasked a Child Health Nurse after seeing the Video, aparently there bodies are not suitable, there spine needs more support, if you look to the right of the below video you will see a test crash with 2 seats, one a booster, one has a 5 point harness, HUGE difference!
Lucky for me I already have the Maxi Rider seats, which have the 5 point harness & are anchored (mind you I paid about $480 per seat) but suitable for kids up to 26kgs. Although we use booster seats in the hubby's car, there headed for the bin.

YouTube - Importance of a 5-Point Harness Carseat

[andyman]

you are also required to have car seats installed by a qualified installer, the stupid part about that legislation is that the autorised person can fit the seat, then you can drive out of the workshop and pull the seat out, and reinstalled by yourself, pointless

[jules]

there are some detailed guides available, the WA transport dept. or RACWA would be able to give you one.

the laws have long been a bit lax as kids grow at different rates and it's hard to make a single rule, but i have heard they are going to introduce new age based laws for how you must restrain your child, i think up to 12 years old.

[NORTI]

there are only 'guidelines' & not 'rules' for children over 12mths here in SA atm.

Im suprised at the number of parents that allowed their small children in the front seat of cars equiped with passenger side airbags. Does noone read the warnings?

My kids know they arent allowed in the front seat with airbags & they ask when getting into peoples cars.

I never went by 'age' on my childrens restraints as my kids were always to heavy/tall for the age, so I went by weight & height to judge when they upgraded to next restraint.

I know of one kid who at 5 still fitted into the weight & height for a series 3 child restraint, my kids had to be in boosters at 3-4! I think an age thing would be problematic for children like mine in some restraints.

[Kikki]

News Release
Title: Stronger laws for the safe restraint of children
Article Date: 29 Feb 2008

Australia’s Transport Ministers today announced their unanimous support for new national child restraint laws, which provide a safe pathway from capsules to seat belts.

In response to calls from road safety experts and the community for tougher minimum standards, children up to 6 months old must be restrained in a rearward facing infant capsule; then a forward facing child seat until the age of 4; and a booster seat from 4 to 7 years old.

The new road rules will reduce the risk of injury caused by seat restraints which are unsuitable for the child’s weight and height.

While most parents and carers strive to do the right thing using guidance material already available, the research shows some children are moving to bigger seats too early.

A child’s age is an easily understood guide, which will help parents and carers choose the safest seat restraint for their children.

The reform package also recognises the increased safety protection offered by rear car seats.

Children up to four years old must be restrained in the rear of a vehicle. A child aged 4 to 7 years old must be seated at the back, unless all the rear seat positions are occupied by other young children (under 7 years old).

A further review of the laws will follow if ‘large’ booster seats – suitable for older children between 7 and 12 years old – are approved and become available.

Currently, 500 children up to the age of 10 are killed or seriously injured every year in car accidents, with 2,300 sustaining minor injuries.

The National Transport Commission (NTC) facilitated extensive national public consultation on the proposals before making their recommendation to Transport Ministers. The amended laws will be progressed by States and Territories for implementation.

The NTC report also includes amendments clarifying give-way provisions at roundabouts and pedestrian safety at level crossings.

Site Browser Information

Thought I would update About time something was changed! Now to wait for the Car Seat companies to produce some decent seats for the bigger child.

[NORTI]

Thats still sucky for kids like mine. My kids are the tallest in their classes. I dont feel an 'age' based system is the way to go. Id prefer to see a height/weight system.

If I kept my kids in their 'age appropriate' car seats, it would have been unsafe as they were too big for them.

[Kikki]

Thats what I mean buy car seat companies bringing out better seats! So many kids are above or below the current "average" AU seems to have for children. Hopefully they do.

[EnzyG]

Yeah that is pretty scary - especially considering that my 2.75 yr old girl goes 17 kg and is over 1 m tall already, so she is really pushing the limits of the "baby seat" we have. Now that number 2 is due, we had considered the boster seat situation...that video was very useful - thanks.

Dave

[Tom_1569]

HOLY ****, Thats scary. I dont have kids but I'll be showing that to my sister, as my nephew is in a booster seat and hes 4. But hes been in a booster seat since he was about 2 caus he out grew his other one. Scary stuff

[1991_Vn2nV]

What height/weight should a child go from being in a booster seat to nothing at all? Like just sitting in the seat?

[Kikki]

I have the Maxi Rider II seats and they are suitable with the 5 point harness up to 22 kgs, or when their shoulders are the same height as the highest seatbelt slots, then you attach the "Protecta H Harness" which can be used up to 32 kgs So plenty of room for growth.

They are $350 each but worth it, My kids have has them since they were 18 mths old and they will last us at least another 2 years min. (Cody will be 7 and Billee will have his until he is the same age)

IMO My kids WONT be going into a normal seat with lap belt until they are 7, so regardless of weight & height, its their insides & bone structure that isn't suitable to sit without a seat & appropriate belt supporting them.

[NORTI]

also they shouldnt sit in the front seats. And never in the front seat if equiped with passenger side front airbags. These are extremely dangerous for kids. I cringe when I see it, FFS parents its written on the safety labels on the airbag even!!! (says age 12 & above)