Media Release 7th March 2008 For immediate release

Police National Restraint Campaign

The annual Police National Restraint Campaign Week (8-15 March) aims to raise awareness of the importance of having child restraints for children travelling in cars – car seats save lives and it is important to ensure they are fitted correctly.

Police will be out on the roads around the country during the campaign to do spot checks on vehicles carrying children. In some areas, Safe2Go technicians will also be on hand to provide advice and information about child restraints.

"Sadly, each year in New Zealand many children die, or are seriously injured in car crashes – despite education and local support for people to get their children into car seats. New Zealand Law requires that all children under five years of age are properly restrained in an approved child restraint, appropriate for their age, size and weight," says Sue Campbell, Plunket National Safety Advisor.

"It is great to be able to work so closely with organisations such as Plunket during campaigns like this to raise awareness and ensure families get the right information. We're not trying to catch people out – we want them to understand how important child restraints are, and to help ensure that they're fitted properly and that getting them fitted can be very simple," says Superintendent Paula Rose, National Manager for Road Policing.

Before buying or renting a car seat, you can seek expert assistance from a Safe2Go technician at a Plunket Car Seat Rental Schemes or other hire outlets and some retailers. They can advise you about the best car seat for your child, and help you also choose one that is best suited to your car.

Child restraint tips:

• The safest place for all car seats is in the back seat – away from the air bags usually installed in the dashboard. • The child restraint is a good fit if the car seat harness sits firm against your child and the vehicle safety belt tightly buckled through the restraint. • Once your child has outgrown their car seat, use a booster seat until they are at least nine years old and can fit the vehicle safety belt correctly.

For more information or advice you can talk to your local Plunket Car Seat Rental Scheme Coordinator or call PlunketLine 0800 933 922 7 days 7am – midnight.

ENDS

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