Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos launched the new $4 million Safe Seats, Safe Kids program at the Span Community House in Thornbury recently.
Kidsafe Victoria and Neighbourhood Houses Victoria will provide free car seat fittings and safety checks in every local government area across Victoria at various locations including neighbourhood houses and community centres.
At these events, professional fitters will inspect child car seats to make sure they’re installed and being used correctly. Parents and carers will also get information on how to check if their children are travelling safely.
“I urge all parents and carers to take advantage of this landmark program – it will help keep kids safe and give them the important peace of mind that their children are properly secured,” said Minister Mikakos.
Victoria is the first state to roll out a comprehensive statewide fitting and safety check program after it was revealed around 70% of child car restraints are not fitted or used correctly – making injury up to 7 times more likely.
Kidsafe Victoria data revealed the risk of life-threatening injuries in a car accident can be 4 to 6 times greater if a child is seated in a poorly installed restraint. On average, 6 children under the age of 13 are killed, and around 160 are seriously injured in vehicles on Victorian roads each year.
Register interest to attend a child car seat safety check session
Parents and carers can register their interest to attend a child car seat safety check session on the Kidsafe Victoria website.
