February Newsletter

In this Newsletter:

1. New Car Child Restraint Laws
2. Monthly Competition - Win a Safe n Sound Meridian AHR Tilt & Adjust
3. Accessories relating to Car Restraints
4. Specials
5. Facebook & Twitter links

New Car Child Restraint Laws

From 1st March 2010 (NSW) & 11 March 2010 (QLD), the NEW Child Restraint Regulations will come into effect.

As a loyal customer to the Bubs website, we will strive to provide you with the most current and accurate information available to help keep your baby as safe as possible. So read on as we have compiled some helpful information and tips to assist you in finding and fitting the best possible car restraint for your child.

For more Information on the NEW Laws from the Queensland Government click the following link:

http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/Safety/Road/Motor_vehicle/Child_restraints/

For more information on the New Laws from Kidsafe NSW click on the following Link:

http://www.kidsafensw.org/roadsafety/child_restraints.htm

There are several different types of car restraints and baby car seats, and it’s important you match the right one to your child’s weight (age is only a rough indication):

Infant Restraints: Babies under six months (usually weighing less than 12 kg) must be secured in an approved infant restraint. Infant restraints are designed to be installed facing the rear of the vehicle as this is the safest way for a bub to travel. A child should be secured in a rearward facing child restraint up until six months of age. The department recommends infants remain in a rearward facing infant restraint as long as possible. The restraints must be anchored to the vehicle at two points — at the anchor bolt/tether strap and with the seatbelt.

Child Car Seats: Once your child reaches six months they can start using a forward facing child restraint with a built in harness. However, if your child has not outgrown the infant restraint, it is recommended that they remain seated in the infant restraint until they are big enough to move into the next level of child restraint.

A forward facing child restraint with a built-in harness can only be used on forward-facing seats. They are attached by an anchor bolt, a tether strap and the car's seat belt.

Note:  Some manufacturers sell child restraints that can be converted to different types. For example, lying down or sitting upright. With this type of restraint, the manufacturer may specify different weight ranges (for the child) for the different types of use. A child restraint should never be used outside the range specified by the manufacturer.

Booster seat: Once you child reaches their forth birthday and up until they reach seven years of age (approx. 14–26 kg) they should use a booster seat with a H-Harness or a booster seat with a secured adult seatbelt. A booster seat rises your child’s seating position so they can use the car’s seatbelt. If you’re using one with a lap-only seatbelt, you also need a child harness that provides shoulder support. Use the booster seat until your child’s eyes are at the same level as the top of the car seat, or until they weigh 26 kg. 

Booster seats are available as a base only (commonly referred to as a booster cushion) or with backs and sides. Boosters with backs and sides provide head support for a sleeping child and helps to protection a child's head against whiplash in the case of an accident.

All child restraints sold in Australia must meet stringent Australian Standard (AS) requirements, considered among the toughest in the world. If fitted and used properly, any of them can be expected to provide very good crash protection for your child.

A child is too tall for a booster seat if their eye level is above the top of the booster seat when they are sitting on it.

Installing a child restraint
According to the RACV, about 70% of child restraints are installed incorrectly. This could significantly reduce the restraint’s ability to protect your child in a crash. So proper installation is crucial to getting the best crash protection from a restraint:

• Authorized fitting stations can help you install a restraint properly — visiting one may be a good idea if you’re using a restraint for the first time.
• Contact your state’s road traffic authority for more information on the correct restraint for your child and authorized fittings stations.

• If you’re installing the restraint yourself, carefully read and follow the instructions — especially the sections on common mistakes and useful traveling safety tips, found in most manuals. The Bubs Team are only too happy to help with any questions you may have.

• The safest position for a child restraint is the centre position of the rear seat, because it’ll offer better protection in a side-impact crash.  

Come on in to our store or browse online as Bubs Baby Shops offers a fantastic range of baby car seats. Our experienced team can help you suit your individual needs and are happy to answer all your questions.

Products relating to Child Restraints:

    Safe n Sound           Safe n Sound          Hurphy Durphy Seat        Infa Securap
      Hi Liner                 Protecta Harness         Belt Buckle Guard 

  Specials

Please check our web specials page regularly for special updates!

http://www.bubs.com.au/SpecialsWeb.aspx

 To stay up to date with more great specials and competitions Join the Bubs Baby Shop group on Facebook and follow us on Twitter .

Until next time,
The Team at bubs.