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Keep kids safe when travelling on the road 

The Higher You Sit, The Safer the Fit: Adult seat belts don't fit children properly until they're 148cm tall, which is why it's so important for pre-school and school-aged kids to stay in an appropriate child restraint or booster seat.
 
Below are FAQs, links and tips to keep your child safe when they are travelling in cars.
 
 
Frequently asked questions:

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Why do I need to put my child in a car restraint?
For children 0-14 years, one of the leading causes of injury involves children as passengers in motor vehicles, with about 16 deaths a year and the equivalent of on
 
e classroom-full (26) of children admitted to hospital a month.  Studies show child restraints and booster seats can reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death by up to 70%. For more information why children need child car seats, follow these links:
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    What are my responsibilites as a driver when transporting my children or other children under New Zealand law?
    Under current New Zealand law, you must make sure that any child under five years of age is properly restrained by an approved child restraint that is appropriate for the age and size of the child. It is also generally accepted that children under the height of 148cm should be seated in an appropriate restraint. For more information , visit:
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    What type of car restraint does my child need?
    Before shopping for a child car restraint, you need to consider three things: The right child restraint, for the right child, for the right car. Ask help from a trained child car seat technician (usually free!), and try a car seat in your car before buying it. More information can be found at:
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    My child is turning 5 years old, is he ready to travel just using an adult seatbelt as a restraint? 
    No. Seatbelts are designed to fit adults, not kids. Kids are safer in a child restraint or booster seat until they are 148cm tall. Dr. Gabrielle Nuthall of Starship’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, said parents are risking the lives of their children if they prematurely move them to just using adult seatbelts. " When kids use a seatbelt that doesn’t fit them properly, this can cause severe head, spine and abdominal injury in a crash.”
     
    Studies show that Booster Seats can reduce the risk of serious and life-threatening injuries to children 5 to 9 year olds by 52%. For more information, visit.
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    I can't afford to buy a child restraint. Where can I get help?
    There is now a wide range of services that help families get access to child car restraints. Car seat rental schemes hires out baby capsules and toddler seats for as low as 80 Cents a week. You can also check with WINZ if you qualify for a special needs grant to buy or hire a child restraint. 
    • For more tips in buying or hiring child car restraints, read this article.
    • To find a car seat rental scheme in your area, contact your local road safety coordinator, Maori or Pacific child health provider, a child restraint retailer, or Plunket .
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    My child does not want to sit in a child restrain. What should I do?
    Some children love travelling in them and others don't at all. To take the stress out of using them, and to help parents make car travel safe and more enjoyable, our partners at SKIP has some tips to help make car seats part of your children's daily routine. For more information, visit:
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    Where can I find more information on child car restraints & booster seats?
    Click the links below for more information on keeping kids safe when travelling in motor vehicles.

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    For more information on keeping your kids safe on the road, at home and at play, visit our safety topics.

    We would like to thank our Safekids Campaign 2010/ 2011 Sponsors and Partners. Click here for our sponsors page.
     
    This page was last updated August 26, 2010.