Keep kiwi kids safe in cars this Labour weekend

Keep kiwi kids safe in cars this Labour weekend

Plunket is urging New Zealand families to think about their kids’ safety while they’re on the roads this holiday weekend.

“Over this weekend have a great break, enjoy time with family and friends and remember everyone has to be properly buckled up”, says Sue Campbell, Plunket’s National Child Safety Advisor.

“Car crashes are one of the biggest dangers to New Zealand children. We have one of the highest child road fatality rates in the OECD. Around five children are killed or injured every week on this country’s roads. The simple truth is that car seats save lives”, she says.

If you are unsure about your child’s car seat installation, or you need to hire an additional car seat for visiting children over Labour weekend, Plunket recommend getting expert assistance from a child restraint technician. Child restraint technicians are available through Plunket Car Seat Services, and at a number of other hire outlets or retailers.

The technician can also advise about the best car seat for your child’s age and size, and one that is best suited to your car.

Children need to be buckled into a car seat every time they are riding in the car, no matter how short the journey. Babies need to be in a car seat from their very first ride.

Changes to the law last year mean that all children up to the age of seven must be in an approved car seat or booster seat.

Thanks to a partnership between ACC and Plunket, community services card holders can buy a booster seat for $50.

For information on a Plunket Car Seat Service near you, contact your local Plunket or visit www.plunket.org.nz and for information about the law change relating to car seats, visit www.nzta.govt.nz

– ENDS –

© Scoop Media