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If you are loaned or given a restraint product from a friend or family member, ensure you have someone who knows the product well check it over and integrate it into your car. Keep in mind the previous owner may not have used it correctly or misunderstood the product specifications. |
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Always select your restraint products by size and weight. Never age. |
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Where possible use the center rear seat position first and as you run out of rear seats use the front seat as a last resort and put the largest child there. |
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Check out the ‘Air bag’ criteria with the manufacturer of your particular vehicle before using any particular seat position. |
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Keeping your child traveling in a restraint system up to the restraints maximum rating (size and weight) is usually the safest choice. As opposed to moving your child into the next stage at that restraint entry size and weight. |
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Make sure that your seat belt and tether adjustments have no slack at all. |
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Consider the best access side of the car and which child is the greater risk around traffic. Ie: Recognise the risks and manage them. |
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Ensure that the passenger cabin of the car is safe from loose items that may become missiles when the vehicle stops, swerves sharply or is involved in a crash. Consider items such as umbrellas and tissue boxes on the rear panel under the rear window. |
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Read your restraint product instruction booklet carefully before you use it. |
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Try to think of your child restraint system as the safety device that it is, just like a life jacket on a boat or a parachute in an aircraft and the level of your safe use of it will increase. |
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Never use the harness while it is twisted and or loose. |
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Always remove all of the slack from the harness through the adjuster lock before every trip. |
