5 daily child restraint checks for parents
Getting the kids out of the house and into the car can be a struggle at the best of times.
Spending a couple of minutes in the morning checking your child’s car restraint could, however, save their life if you have a crash. Here are a few things you should check before you back out of the driveway.
1. Is the seatbelt or ISOFIX connected?
Only last week, I was putting my four-year-old child in the car and noticed her restraint was moving around more than usual.
Peering over the top, I noticed the seatbelt buckle had come loose. After clicking it back in, I slowly pulled the seatbelt all the way out and back in again to lock the child restraint in place.
If your restraint is installed using ISOFIX attachments, check the ISOFIX connectors are attached to the ISOFIX points of the seat, make sure the straps aren’t loose, and that the child seat is firmly in place.
2. Is the harness twist-free?
Twisted child restraint straps can be frustrating but taking a few moments to untangle them could save your child’s life.
Before placing your little one in the child restraint, make sure you get all the twists out of the straps.
When strapping your child in the restraint, make sure the shoulder straps are flat on top of their shoulders and not far below or above this point. If the harness has shoulder pads, check underneath the pads to make sure the straps aren’t twisted and place of them on the top of the child’s shoulder.
3. Is the top tether slack-free?
The top tether on a child restraint is vital to ensure the top half of a front-facing car seat is secure. It has an adjustable strap and hook that connects to an anchor point in your vehicle’s seat.
Before putting your child in the seat, check the top tether is firm, but not tight and there isn’t any slack. Over tightening the tether strap could cause the restraint to lift off the vehicle seat.
4. Is the restraint at the correct angle?
A rear-facing restraint shouldn’t be too upright or reclined. If the restraint is too upright, the infant’s head may fall forward and obstruct their airway. Before installing the child restraint, ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Are there any loose items in the car?
Are there toys and other bits and pieces scattered across the back seat where your children are sitting? It’s a good idea to remove those items and put them back in the house or in the boot. Otherwise, they could become a dangerous projectile in a crash or if you need to brake heavily.
Need help?
If you need a hand with your child restraint, speak to RAA’s Child Safety Centre.