Car Seats Car Capsules Child Restraint Installation Gold Coast

Child Restraint Laws

The Roads and Traffic Authority NSW “Safer Child Restraints” guide states; every year many children are injured or killed in car crashes. Some of the injuries could be prevented or reduced if all children occupy the right restraint for their size and weight and if the restraint is installed and used correctly.

Many people unfortunately still have a cavalier attitude towards child car safety and the single largest cause of death and injury to children continues to be road accidents.

Growing public awareness however, has prompted changes in legislation which is being enforced state by state. Changes in the Victorian child safety legislation begin on the 9th November 2009.

NSW is yet to announce its legislation changes or dates.

QLD has announced new guidelines and penalties as of March 11 2010.

NSW has a long standing system to ensure high standards and expertise in Child Car Seat Safety. Authorised Fitting Stations have fitters trained by Mobility Engineering ACRI (Australian Child Restraint Initiative) and fitters must be affiliated with a fitting station.

A fitting station will at least be able to fit child restraints in an expert manner and do some vehicle modification to the many vehicles without appropriate fitting points. A fitting station will have appropriate signage.

The Baby Barn has been a fitting station for 20 years and has 3 authorised fitters.

If we do not have a ready answer for a particular technical question we refer to Mobility Engineering who will have an answer and offer us appropriate technical advice.

We take pleasure in helping people who are concerned about child safety and over the years have helped many thousands of parents to transport their precious cargo in safety and we look forward to assisting you in the best way we can.

Frequently Asked Questions

At the Baby Barn Discounts we are asked many questions about child restraints every day. Here is a small sample and some answers to them. If your question is not here, ring or pay us a visit at the Baby Barn.

FAQ

Q: Can I fit my baby’s car seat myself?
A: Yes, you can but fitting a child restraint correctly is not as easy as it seems. Baby Barn fitters find that 95% of restraints brought to us for inspection are fitted incorrectly.

Q: Should I hire a capsule or buy one?
A: It is easy to hire a capsule from the Baby Barn for a reasonable price. 6 months hire is just $75 (plus refundable deposit). A Safe-n-Sound capsule can be purchased for $259. Fitting is at no cost and an RTA certificate is issued.

Q: Will 6 months be enough for a capsule hire?
A: Capsules are recommended up to 9kg/70cm in length. Some bigger babies may outgrow a capsule early and need to move to a reversible seat. Some parents may need a capsule for longer and this is easily arranged.

Q: Should I make an appointment to fit a capsule or car seat?
A: Making an appointment is appreciated. Fitting device between 2 to 4 weeks before you may need it is advised.

Q: Can I fit a car seat or booster in the front seat?
A: The front seat can only be used for a restraint if there is no rear position to use. The front seat can never be used in NSW if there is a front passenger airbag and in QLD only with a forward facing restraint.

Q: Can I fit an anchor bolt myself?
A: Yes. Provided you are sure you have found the factory provided anchor point and not a luggage tie down. If you are not sure do not proceed and call Baby Barn.

Q: Are all child restraints the same?
A: No. Some restraints are easier to fit CORRECTLY than others and tests indicate some offer greater levels of protection.

Q: When should I turn my 0-4 seat around forward facing?
A: It is recommended for a child to remain rear facing for as long as possible. In heavy braking there is not as much load on the neck in the rear facing position. The earliest a child would face forward is 8 kg with good neck strength but Safe-n-Sound recommend up to 12kg/85 cm in length for their 0-4 seats.

Q: If my car or ute has only 2 fitting points, can I have another?
A: Sometimes, but modifications must be made by an Authorised Fitting Station by law.

Q: Where can I get more information?
A: If you live in NSW – Call Road and Traffic Authority on 1800 042 865 or NRMA on 02 92 92 96 32.
In QLD go to www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/Safety/Road/Motor_vehicle/Child_restraints/

RTA Certificate Issued

From March 1, 2010, all children up to the age of seven years must be correctly restrained

 in an approved child restraint, suitable for their size and age.

In vehicles with two or more rows of seats:

• All children under four must travel in the rear seat

• Children between four and seven can only travel in the front passenger seat if all

rear seats are occupied by children under seven years in child restraint.n

Q. Why are there new child restraint laws?

A. New child restraint laws are needed to help keep young children safe as passengers. High numbers of children are injured and even killed when

travelling in cars. In NSW, almost 500 children under seven years old are

passenger casualties each year. Australiawide,

the numbers are over 4,000 each year.

Q. What should families know about approved child restraints suitable for

children up to seven years of age?

A. For children who are:

Younger than six months – rearward facing restraints

Between six months and four years –

Either rear or forward facing restraints

Between four and seven years – forward

Facing child restraints or booster seats.

Q. Why do the new child restraint laws refer To size and age?

A. Specifying child restraints by age is easier for families and carers to comply with and will result in fewer children being inappropriately restrained. However, children of the same age restrained. However, children of the same age can vary considerably in size so children who are too physically big for the recommended

restraint may be graduated to the next Restraint level, providing they are still properly restrained. Standards Australia is changing the child restraint standards to ensure that nearly all children in the specified age groups will fit into the specified type of restraints.

Q. How will families know if their children’s restraints are correctly fitted?

A. RTA Authorised Fitting Stations can check and fit child restraints.

Q. So, what’s wrong with seatbelts?

A. Seatbelts are designed to fit adult males. Young children put in adult seatbelts are at increased risk of serious injury or being killed than those restrained in approved child restraints suitable for their size and age.