Kidsafe Victoria and Neighbourhood Houses Victoria will provide free car seat fittings and safety checks as part of a road safety program launched this week.
The Minister for Health, Jenny Mikakos visited the Span Community House in Thornbury to officially launch the new $4 million Safe Seats, Safe Kids program.
Ms Mikakos said free expert car seat fittings and safety checks would be available in every local government area across the State.
“Parents and carers will also be provided with information on how to check if their precious cargo is travelling safely,” Ms Mikakos said.
“The data tells us that kids are far more likely to be injured if they’re in a poorly-installed restraint,” she said.
“That’s why it’s crucial they are in seats that are checked by the experts.”
Ms Mikakos said Victoria was the first state to roll out a comprehensive statewide fitting and safety check program after it was revealed that around 70 per cent of child car restraints were not fitted or used correctly.
She said Kidsafe Victoria data had revealed the risk of life-threatening injuries in a car accident could be four to six times greater if a child was seated in a poorly installed restraint.
Parents and carers can register their interest to attend a child car seat safety check session at this PS News link.
