Police and experts help parents with child car safety checks in Milton Keynes

Experts from the In Car Safety Centre, Milton Keynes Council and officers from Thames Valley Police carried out child car safety checks yesterday (Thursday) in Milton Keynes.

Over 60 safety checks were carried out with many seats fitted correctly.

But some common mistakes included twisted straps and harnesses positioned too high.

One of the ‘fatal four’ factors that can result in fatal or serious injury collisions is not wearing a seatbelt or wearing a seatbelt incorrectly.

It is extremely important to make sure child car seats are fitted correctly to ensure that the seatbelt or harness is in the correct position to keep your child safe.

UK law states that children must use a car seat until they are 12, or 135cm tall, whichever comes first.

PC Liz Johnson, road safety officer, said: “Wearing a seatbelt is vitally important. You are twice as likely to die in a road traffic collision if you are not wearing a seatbelt.

"It is designed to work with the other safety features in your car such as the airbags.

"The way that seatbelts are fitted across the body make sure vital organs are protected if you are in a collision. The same applies to child car seats too.

"Therefore it is essential to make sure that child car seats are fitted correctly to ensure the safety of your child.”

For more information visit: www.gov.uk.