Wednesday 26 May
16.00hrs
A child car safety event held in Kingswood has found faults in
eight out of ten car seats.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) teamed up with
Mothercare, Britax, South Gloucestershire Council’s Road Safety
Team and Avon and Somerset Constabulary for a child car seat safety
event at Kingswood Fire Station on Monday 24 May.
Twenty drivers pulled in to the station to have their child
seats checked by experts, who found 80% weren’t fitted correctly or
had faults. The issues identified by staff from 
retailer Mothercare and car seat makers Britax included twisted
belts, headrests in the incorrect position and fasteners not
connected.
During the event firefighters were on hand to offer advice on
road safety, members of South Gloucestershire Council’s Road Safety
Team provided eye checks for drivers and the police carried out
road hazard perception tests.
Matt Peskett, AF&RS Station Manager at Kingswood, said: “The
outcome of the event matched national statistics which show 80% of
child seats aren’t fitted correctly. All the issues identified by
the experts were easily rectified, proving the importance of
thoroughly reading the instructions or getting kids’ seats checked
by a specialist.
“Figures suggest that a child is 90% less likely to be killed in
a collision if they are properly restrained, so it is great that we
have been able to keep 16 families safer this week.”
If you would like to find out more information on child seats
and upcoming events visit the Road Safety
area of our website or www.protectchildgb.org.uk
Until parents and carers get the opportunity to have their car
seats checked by experts, AF&RS suggests the following
advice:
- Research which seats are most suitable for your vehicle;
- Only buy a seat that carries the United Nations ECE R44.04
safety mark;
- Make sure your retailer has trained members of staff who can
fit and check your seat; and
- Always follow the manufacturer's instruction.