CONCERNING statistics from Kidsafe Victoria has found nine out of ten Victorian kids are not safe in cars, prompting a call for parents and carers to make sure their child car restraints are correctly installed.

The investigation into more than 9200 cars found that nine out of ten child car restraints are either incorrectly installed or used, with 51 per cent needing an adjustment and 37 per cent requiring a full re-installation.

Should a parent crash while driving, the risk of life-threatening injuries to children are up to six times greater when child car restraints are incorrectly installed or used.

To help improve car safety, Victorian families have access to the Safe Seats, Safe Kids program – which offers free fittings and safety checks by accredited professional child car restraint fitters.

The program is run by Kidsafe Victoria in partnership with Neighbourhood Houses Victoria and backed by a $4 million investment from the State Government to provide free appointments for parents and carers to have their child car restraint installed or inspected.

Common incorrect installation and usage issues identified under the program included twisted top tether straps and connected to the wrong point or not connected to an anchor point at all, and twisted harness straps or harness straps that were set at an incorrect height.

Other problems included seatbelts which were threaded through the incorrect path or were loose, ISOFIX attachments incorrectly secured, and children promoted to the next car restraint stage before attaining the appropriate size.

Kidsafe Victoria has also launched a new free online e-learning tool to help parents make their child car restraints safe.

The e-learning tool offers information and advice on choosing, installing, adjusting and using child car restraints and booster seats.

Health minister, Martin Foley said keeping kids safe in the car was every parent’s priority when driving, and these free inspections help to do just that.

“Children are up to six times more likely to get seriously hurt in a crash when they’re not properly restrained, so I urge all parents and carers to take advantage of this important resource,” he said.

Roads and Road Safety minister, Ben Carroll said, “the correct adjustments to a booster seat can be the difference between life and death in a crash, so it’s vital carers take the time to get it right”.

“We’re making it easier than ever to keep kids safe in the car through this important partnership with Kidsafe Victoria and Neighbourhood Houses Victoria,” he said.

Hamilton Community House recently held a free child car restraint fitting and safety check session, however, a second session has been scheduled for September 22, and online bookings will open to locals a month in advance.

More information on free inspections, alternate inspection and fitting venues, and the e-learning course can be found at safeseatssafekids.com.au.