As your toddler grows and starts to visit childcare centres, swimming lessons and friends’ houses, you’re likely to be spending more time in the car with them. As convenient and necessary as they are, cars – and driving – can also be a major hazard to you and your toddler. Take some simple safety precautions to ensure you minimise the risks associated with driving.
In Australia you must use a car restraint that complies with mandatory safety standards. Children between six months and four years old must be restrained in an approved and safely secured rear- or front-facing car restraint with an inbuilt harness.
Buying a second-hand car restraint for your toddler can be risky. Often these do not come with safe-use instructions – which is the law when purchasing new restraints – and may have a history of being hit, dropped or cracked, which can compromise their safety features.
