PARENTS are being encouraged to take advantage of assistance provided by councils to ensure child car seats and other restraints are installed properly.
Sutherland, Kogarah, Rockdale and Hurstville councils receive funding for this purpose from the state government's Transport for NSW.
The cost of professional installation was raised frequently when the Leader spoke to parents about the new government campaign, We're counting on you.
A feature of the campaign is a new website — childcarseats.com.au — which gives a star rating for the safety of car seats, and lists authorised fitting stations.
Parliamentary secretary for transport and roads, Ray Williams, who promoted the campaign in St George and Sutherland Shire, said two in every three children were not properly restrained in cars.
"Children who are incorrectly secured are seven times more likely to receive life-threatening injuries during an accident than those using car seats secured correctly," he said.
Rebekah Lorimer, of Sylvania, who had restraints for her two children professionally fitted, was concerned some parents would not be able to afford the cost.
Ms Lorimer said this could particularly apply when car seats or baby capsules had to be moved around within a car or transferred between two.
She believed more government assistance should be provided.
Christine Smith, a Sans Souci mother of two who joined Mr Williams to promote the campaign, agreed it could be a costly exercise if two or more children were involved, and if grandparents helped with transportation, too.
NSW Centre for Road Safety general manager Marg Prendergast said that although costs varied, most authorised fitting stations charged between $20 to $30 to inspect and adjust a child car seat and between $35 to$75 for installation.
Using an authorised installer provided parents and carers with the opportunity to get expert advice on how to correctly fit and adjust seats, she said.
Ms Prendergast said Transport for NSW provided funding to participating councils to deliver road safety projects, including free checks or installation of car seats.
Executive officer of Kidsafe NSW, Christine Erskine, a partner in the new safety campaign, said "cost is certainly an issue".
Ms Erskine said state government funding was helpful but, along with the programs run by councils, was "intermittent".
She encouraged parents to check with their council on what help was available and said if a car seat was professionally installed initially, parents should be present so they could learn for the future.
"We also encourage parents to keep the installation instructions, in case they are needed again," Ms Erskine said.
COUNCIL HELP
SUTHERLAND
Free checking and installation days are scheduled for September 6, November 1 and December 13. There is a charge for any parts supplied. Book on the council website.
KOGARAH
A limited number of vouchers, providing free installation by an authorised fitter, are available. Contact the council’s road safety officer on 9330 9446.
ROCKDALE
Free child restraint checking and installation days are run during the year and advertised online. The next will be on August 9. This does not include the cost of parts. A video on the subject is on the council’s website.
HURSTVILLE
Child restraint programs were run ‘‘on an ad hoc basis’’ when funding was provided by the state government, a council statement said.
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