Children across the Central West will be more secure following the training of 12 new Authorised Child Restraint Fitters.
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The fitters come from across the region - Lithgow, Dubbo, Forbes and Wagga Wagga.
The training was conducted by Mobility Engineering, who have been contracted by Roads and Maritime Service to oversee the Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Station network in NSW for the past 20 years.
Mobility Engineering's General Manager, Ali Akbarian, said the training would be held annually and aims to increase the number and spread of Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Stations in regional NSW.
"Two in three child restraints are not being used properly. If you have trouble fitting or adjusting your child restraint, visit an Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Station.
"There are more than 300 Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Stations across NSW. Most are garages or service stations, some are in hospitals, others are in Councils and some are attached to baby shops. Visit www.childcarseats.com.au/find-an-authorised-fitting-station and click on the link for NSW to search for your nearest Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Station," Mr Akbarian said.
All fitters are part of a specialist network and have been trained to:
- Inspect and adjust child restraints to make sure they are installed correctly
- Fit child restraints that require vehicle modifications
- Install more anchorage points
- Retrofit lap and lap-sash seatbelts
- Show you the correct way to use your child restraint so that you can be confident your child is safe
The free one day training course was comprised of theory and practical sessions. During the theory session participants learnt about the different types of child restraints, the National Laws and vehicle modifications. During the practical session participants were required to correctly install three child restraints with and without gated buckles.
Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils' Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, welcomes the new Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Station in Forbes - Forbes Auto Electrical.
"I collated a list of over 50 mechanical type businesses and services across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas and invited them to attend this free training.
"Thanks to Forbes Auto Electrical for attending, becoming a new Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Station and helping to keep children safe. They will join our existing Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Stations - Jelbart Dawsons (Forbes), Col Fletcher Ford and Kia (Parkes) and Parkes Tyrepower.
"The correct selection and installation of child restraints is vital. It is important to make sure that your precious cargo is safe and buckled up every time they are in the car - whether it's a five minute or five hour journey," Ms Suitor said.
There will be another free training course held in the region in early 2019. If you are interested in attending and becoming an Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Station, please contact Mobility Engineering on (02) 9482 4572.
