Car seat safety session
Recent car seat safety checks in Barnet have revealed that 95% of child car seats were installed incorrectly after 45 seats were checked, with a total of 100 errors.
These findings come following free car seat checking sessions organised across Barnet to help residents identify and avoid common car seat errors, as part of a partnership between Barnet Council and Good Egg Safety.
Many of the errors identified were major and included cases of seat incompatibility, where the wrong seat was being used for the child’s size or car type.
Other common issues identified during the checks included:
- Child seat harness not tight enough
- Incorrect height for the child seat harness
- Child too young or short for the seat or adult seat
- Loose car seat base
- Seat facing the wrong direction
- Top tether not used
Cllr Alan Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said:
“These safety checks are an excellent opportunity for parents to ensure the safety of their children when driving. I’m sure these figures will come as a surprise to most so it is vital that everyone ensures their child’s car seat is fitted correctly.
“I strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of these free sessions.”
Local resident, Rimonit, expressed her satisfaction at the service: “The advisor was really lovely and so helpful and took time to ask questions and checked both my kids’ seats.
“My daughter was not happy as she still needs to be in her high back booster another 6 months. The advisor spoke and explained so nicely to my daughter that even if her friends don’t have car seats, does not mean that she does not need one and it really helped hearing this from an expert.”
Residents are encouraged to attend the next free car seat safety check events, which will take place:
- Tuesday 8 October, from 10am to 3pm at Sainsburys, Unit 4 Hyde Estate Rd, London (NW9 6JX)
- Thursday, 10 October 2024, from 10am to 3pm at Sainsbury’s Broadwalk Shopping Centre, Station Road, Edgware (HA8 7BQ)
During the safety checks, a Good Egg advisor will correct any fixable fitting errors and provide guidance on how to install the car seat properly. Most errors can usually be corrected during the checks except incompatible errors which require new restraints.
Janis James MBE of Good Egg Safety CIC said: “It is a privilege to help deliver these valuable events in Barnet. We believe that collaboration is key to reducing road casualties. By working together, we can create a safer environment for all children.
“Child car seats play a critical role in preventing injuries, and our goal is to empower parents and carers with the knowledge and tools they need to keep their children safe on the road.”
Good Egg Safety also has pages on its website which helps show people how to properly fit a seat and other safety information: www.goodeggsafety.com