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Keeping your family safe

Child restraints and seat-belts

Whenever we put our family in the car to take a journey, be it short or long, there is a risk that we may be involved in an accident. No matter who is at fault there are some things that you can do to reduce the risk of an accident or injury to your family.

 In New Zealand the law is that all persons in a vehicle are required to be restrained. According to Land Transport New Zealand, wearing a seat-belt can increase your chances of surviving a crash by up to 40%.  If you are the driver of the vehicle the law also requires you to make sure that all passengers under 15 are wearing a seat-belt or are in an approved child restraint. That means that you, as a parent, have a legal obligation to keep your child safe while in a vehicle.

Lap-and-diagonal and lap seat-belts

For children no longer in child restraints (and adults), a lap-and-diagonal seat-belt is the best choice. If you have no option but to use a lap belt make sure that it is worn low across the bone of the pelvis and is tightened. As seat-belts are designed for adults and not children, a child should ideally move from an approved child restraint only when the belt can cross their pelvis and not their stomach.

Safety

Never put a seat-belt around two or more children. And never put a child on an adult's lap with the belt around them both. Both of these situations increase the dangers of injury.  

Child restraints 

First off , what is a suitable child restraint? Young babies should use an infant restraint that is designed for their small bodies. These restraints are often called baby capsules and are designed so that you can carry your new baby from the car to another place without removing the child. These can be bought new or you can hire them from organisations such as Plunket.

Age and weight:

• Birth to approximately six months: These restraints are designed for babies from birth to 9kg; some are suitable for babies up to 13.5kg or approximately six months of age. As these restraints are rear-facing,  you need to remember that if your car has airbags you should never put your baby in the front seat. If the airbag activates, a child in a rear-facing restraint could be seriously injured.

• Birth to approximately four years (18kg):  Known as convertible restraints, these restraints are designed to grow with your baby. They are able to be mounted rear-facing to start with and then converted to front-facing as the baby’s body matures.

Child restraints for older babies and toddlers are often called car seats and are designed for children that have great body and head control.

• Six months to approximately four years (9-18kg)   Known as front-facing child restraints, these restraints are designed for the preschooler. Check that the fabric is easily washable as mishaps with food and nappies often happen with this age group (which I know from experience!)

Lastly, for preschoolers and primary school-aged children, booster seats or harnesses are ideal.

• Booster seat: 14-26kg (approx. 4 -  7 years)

• Child harness: 14-32kg (approx. 4 - 7 years)

When to change?

The above weights and ages gives a good indication of when you should change the type of restraint for your child. If your child’s head is above the restraint it is probably a good time to change up to the next size.

What is an approved child restraint?

The following standards are available for viewing on the New Zealand government’s website www.ltsa.govt.nz .

A child restraint must meet an approved standard. Child restraints certified for use in New Zealand will show an 'S' mark (New Zealand Standard NZS 1754), or a tick (Australian Standard AS 1754), or an 'E' mark (European Standard ECE 44). Restraints that comply with the United States Standard (FMVSS 213) must, in addition to any other markings, display the New Zealand Standard 'S' mark, to show they have been certified for use in New Zealand.

Restraints and children’s ages – the law!

New Zealand law requires that children under five years must be properly restrained in an approved child restraint. From five to seven years a child must use an appropriate child restraint if there's one available. If there isn't, the child must use a seat-belt. If there's no seat-belt available, the child must sit in the back seat. From the age of eight to 14 years children must use a seat-belt if there's one available. If there's no seat-belt, they must sit in the back seat. From 15 years and over drivers and passengers must wear a seat-belt if there's one available.

Arriving in New Zealand with children

When arriving in New Zealand you are required to follow the law, which means that all passengers and drivers must be restrained. If you are hiring a vehicle on arrival in New Zealand you will need to check if your vehicle is suitable for a child restraint. You can hire child restraints from vehicle hire firms like Maui or from businesses such as http://www.babyonthemove.co.nz that have branches throughout New Zealand.

For more information about baby and child restraints contact the  Plunket Society or visit www.ltsa.govt.nz

Article written by Paul Miller (Father of four children and car enthusiast)