CHILD CAR SAFETY
The overriding basic rule for the safety of children in cars is for every child to use the right restraint on every trip.

Over the past 20 years, our road toll has dropped dramatically.

Today, Australia is one of the safest countries in which to drive, the lessons are very clear . . .

WHAT DOES NOT WORK?

Carrying a child on your lap. It is impossible to hold onto a child in an accident and it is illegal.
Putting two children in one seat belt is definitely not safe, in a crash they will be injured by colliding with each other.
A child sitting on an adult's lap with the seat belt around both of them. Dangerous! The child is likely to he crushed by the adult's weight against the seat belt and it is illegal.
Children riding in the luggage space of cars are not protected. A sudden stop or accident will throw them around the car.


GENERAL SAFETY IN THE CAR

Always buckle up.
Small children don't understand the dangers inherent in not buckling-up.
Remind the children that you will not start the car until everyone is buckled-up.
Children should be instructed that they are not to undo their seat belts until you say they may - when you have reached your destination and the car is stopped.
Watch out for children trying to help you by undoing restraints on their baby brother or sister.
School aged children should always travel in the rear of your vehicle and be buckled-up in an appropriate restraint.
Make sure there is an appropriate restraint for each person in the car.
For children, this means a restraint suited to their size and weight.
Ensure that the restraint is properly fitted and adjusted.
Above all, make sure everyone in the car uses their restraint every time.
Children should always get in and out of the car using the rear kerb side door.

DRIVER DISTRACTION

Don't let your children's behaviour distract you.

 If your children are troublesome, have their car seats moved apart. Keep them occupied by talking or singing to them, provide soft toys to play with.
On long trips, provide unspillable drinks, healthy snack foods; and avoid milk-based drinks for carsick-prone children.
Take regular driver breaks and let the children out to run around.

Drive carefully, take rests, take care in the heat

Fasten your seat belt and make sure everyone is safely restrained before starting the car. Many accidents are the result of driver error and fatigue.
Rest stops help restore concentration, and beat drowsiness.
Babies, toddlers and children lose fluid quickly.
When travelling on hot days, allow extra drinks and rests.

Being able to see clearly

Drivers need to be able to see perfectly clearly.
All sunblinds on backside windows and the rear window must allow at least 35 per cent light transmission.
Make sure all sunblinds are securely fastened and can't distract you.
Never use a nappy in the side windows to keep the sun off the baby - it will block the driver's view.
Window signs - such as baby on board should be out of the line of sight.


FLYING OBJECTS AND CARGO BARRIERS

When cars brake suddenly, or are in a crash, flying objects cause many injuries. Items on the parcel shelf are particularly dangerous. Even light items such as tissue boxes can become a force 20 times their own weight. A book can become a 10kg missile. Keep that parcel shelf clear.

Vehicles which have cargo areas that open directly into passenger space or which have a back seat which can fold down are particularly risky. Unrestrained luggage moving forward can cause split seats to collapse, injuring or possibly killing children in the back seat. Drivers and passengers in station wagons have also been injured or killed in this manner.
A cargo barrier will protect your passengers.
Station wagons, hatchback cars and panel vans especially, need this protection. Only cargo barriers approved to Australian Standards should be used and installed by an approved fitter. If you do not have a cargo barrier, consider having one installed. In the meantime, pack luggage so it is spread evenly across the back seat. Don't pack luggage higher than the back of the seat.

UNATTENDED CHILDREN

Leaving children unprotected in the car, even for a few minutes is dangerous. Older children can set the car moving. Heat stress is also a problem. On a 36C day, the air in a closed car will reach 60C in five minutes, and over 65C after 15 minutes. Half-open windows don't help much as the temperature will reach 41C after five minutes. This is much too hot for a child.

OTHER SAFETY TIPS

Check your child's restraint harness to make sure they can't reach and open doors while you're driving.
Cigarette lighters can be harmful . . . take them out.
Install child-resistant locks on doors.



Information provided by Kidsafe NSW Incorporated.
For further information please contact Kidsafe direct - Phone: 02 9845 0894  Facsimile: 02 9845 0895
or visit their website at: www.kidsafensw.org