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Guide to using a Child Harness |
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WHAT ARE CHILD HARNESSES? |
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Children are harnessed in two different ways under the Australian Standards AS/NZS1754. |
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In-built harnesses |
Separate Child Harness |
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A permanent part of the seat that is designed to transfer crash forces over the stronger parts of the body (hips and shoulders). |
Can be used in conjunction with some booster seats or an adult seat belt. |
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It is widely accepted that where possible children should stay in a child restraint with an in-built harness for as long as they fit. The National Road Rules require as a minimum all children under 4 years old to be in a seat with an in-built harness. If your child has outgrown their restraint with an in-built harness, then it is appropriate to use an unharnessed Booster Seat with a separate Child Harness. |
Once your child is 7 years old or they no longer fit in a booster seat, it is possible to use a Child Harness directly on the vehicle seat. Remember, car seat belts are designed to protect adult size occupants. Where possible children should stay in a child seat with an in-built harness for as long as they fit and then progress to a Booster Seat and Child Harness before moving directly to an adult seat belt. |
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WHY USE A CHILD HARNESS? |
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Children typically don’t sit correctly and tend to slump and wriggle. They also fall out of the seat belt or place the belt under their arm or behind their back. In these dangerous situations the child has no upper torso support, leaving them at risk of injury or death in a crash. |
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.jpg&wid=18&hi=16){kind=small} SOLUTION |
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A Child Harness, used in conjunction with the lap seat belt, maximises upper torso support. It can also prevent a child from falling out of the sash belt whilst they are sleeping, slumping or wriggling. Without torso support your child is at risk of being flung forward in a crash which can cause serious head, abdominal and spinal injuries. |
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WHICH CHILD HARNESSES DO I NEED? |
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Safe-n-Sound manufactures two types of accessory Child Harnesses: |
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Note: Both Harnesses include a hook attachment clip which connects to your vehicle anchor point or your Booster Seat’s Versa Tether. |
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PROTECTA HARNESS
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CHILD SAFETY HARNESS
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The Protecta Harness features a frontal adjuster that allows a parent to thread the harness through the slots of an Expandable Booster Seat or Harnessed Booster Seat. This provides a better fit on a child’s shoulders. |
The Child Safety Harness is suitable for Booster Seats without a tether attachment. They are simple, installed over the headrest of the restraint or vehicle seat. |
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NEED
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* If your child still fits in the seat comfortably, they should continue to use even if they are older until they outgrow the seat and need to move to the next category. ** All Safe-n-Sound tethered boosters are installed with an exclusive patent attachment device called a versa tether. Safe-n-Sound boosters with a versa tether are compatible with the Protecta Harness. All other Safe-n-Sound Boosters can use a Protecta Harness or Child Safety Harness. |
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Note: If you cannot find your Booster Seat, visit www.britax.com.au for a current update of this chart. |
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| Q1 When should I stop using a Child Harness with a Booster Seat? | |
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A. When used with a Booster Seat a Child Harness can be used to the capacity of the Booster Seat which is 26kgs or until the eyes of the child are in line with the top of the vehicle seat or vehicle seat headrest. |
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Q2 When should I stop using a child harness with a Vehicle Seat? |
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A. When used with a Vehicle Seat and Seat Belt a Child Harness can be used by a child up to 32kgs or when the child’s shoulders are in line with the top of the vehicle seat or vehicle seat headrest. |
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Q3 In what position of the car can I use my Child Harness? |
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| A. Your Child Harness can be used in the centre and side positions of your vehicle where appropriate anchorage fittings are provided. It is essential that a Child Harness is used in a lap only seat belt configuration. |  |
| Q4 What else may I need to correctly install my child harness? | |
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Q5 I heard that there were some concerns about using a Child Harness. |
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A. Safe-n-Sound has protected over 1 million children in the past 25 years, through the use of Child Harnesses. Like all safety products, Child Harnesses are safe when used in accordance with the instructions. Harnesses are fully certified to the Australia and New Zealand Standard AS/NZ 1754. |
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Q6 If I have a Harnessed Booster Seat, when do I stop using the In-built Harness? |
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| A. Your Harnessed Booster’s In-built Harness is suitable from 8kg to 18kgs, which is approximately 6 months to 4 years old. You can then use the Protecta Harness up to 26kgs, which is approximately 7 years old. | |
Q7 In what order do I attach my Child Harness to my Booster Seat? |
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Hook attachment clip of Harness (1) onto Versa-Tether Catch (2). Then hook attachment clip (3) onto anchor fitting, ensure that none of the straps are twisted or catching on sharp edges. |
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| Q8 How do I find out about the legal requirements in my state/territory? | |
| A. You should refer to your state or territory's road rules. Visit the relevant web site address below. | |
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Victoria |
ACT www.tams.act.gov.au |
| Tasmania www.transport.tas.gov.au |
South Australia www.dtei.sa.gov.au |
| New South Wales www.rta.nsw.gov.au |
Western Australia www.ors.wa.gov.au |
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Queensland
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Northern Territory
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