Child restraints, head restraints and Pets in hot cars
Child restraints
It's taken a decade, but at last the child safety seat system recognised as the world's best is heading hear, and the Australian version will have greater side impact protection than Europe's. ISOFIX
www.recalls.gov.au
www.childcarrestraints.com.au
www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au
www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/Internet/Primary/road+safety/child+safety
Thousands of Maxi Cosi child car seats taken off shelves over serious safety concerns
Child restraints - 10 tips from Cartalk
Plan ahead when buying a child restraint or booster seat especially if your baby is due soon. This will give you more time to assess your needs.
Make sure you have done your research in advance and stick to reputable brands such as Britax - Safe N Sound. These products are made and tested in Melbourne and meet / exceed Australian Standards.
www.britax.com.au www.maxi-cosi.com/au-en
Buy from a reputable retailer, if you have bought the wrong type of child restraint you will be able to exchange it for another model or design that is more suitable for your specific type of vehicle and needs.
They also come in different colours and styles with additional features and benefits. Some retailers also have their specials during the year and the savings will more than pay for the installation by a professional installer.
Use a professional installer, as its important that the seat is properly installed and not become lose from its connecting points. It may help save your baby or childs life if involved in a major accident.
If you are not sure what child restraint to buy, speak to an experienced child seat installer and they will give you a guide of what to purchase depending on the type of vehicle that you are driving and the age of the child.
Pricing guide for installing child seats is usually around $30 during the week & up to $40 - $50 on a saturday / sunday at a retailers site. Special fittings will cost extra. You will also receive a certificate for installing the seat.
Some professional installers do have vans and can install seats at your home. You can pay around $ 50 for a standard installation plus extra for special fittings to suit the specific vehicle.
Its a good idea to make a booking in advance as some retailers / installers are very busy especially on a saturday. Try booking during the week.
Be careful with some installers as they may not be professionally qualified and may overcharge for the service. If in doubt stick to a reputable retailer that offers different child restraints so you can compare price points and quality of the products and have an on site regular professional installer.
For more information about child restraints, see links below.
www.kidsafe.com.au
www.childcarrestraints.com.au
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTJzSHHHsk8
Head restraints and whiplash
www.edmunds.com/car-safety/protect-your-neck
www.mynrma.com.au/motoring-services/road-safety/seating
Pets in hot cars
Pets in Cars - care and consideration
Don’t leave your pets in the car for a long period of time. Park in a shady area and leave a window open.
Set your watch or mobile phone to remind you to check on your pets regularly especially on warm days and keep some water and a bowl in the car.
Make sure your pet has ID attached in case it escapes from the car or it is stolen.
When buying another car, consider a lighter color as will reflect the heat better than a darker color such as black or dark green or dark grey and consider a wagon or SUV.
It is also safer to keep your pets in a secured harness or keep in the cargo area of your wagon or SUV especially when the car is being driven.
The best tip is to leave your dogs home in hot weather as they will be safe and secure.
If you see signs of heat exhaustion take your pets into a cool area and make sure you have fresh water and a bowl. Slowly give your dog some water and place a cold towel on the head and immerse the dog in cool water.
Animals do not sweat like humans. Dogs cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paws. Animals can collapse, suffer brain damage and die of heatstroke if the car is overheated.
When driving your car and the dog is kept in the back seat, put some blankets and pillows behind the front seat near the floor. This will add protection to the dog when you suddenly brake or do a sharp turn to avoid an accident and stop the dog from falling down and being injured.
A better option is to cage the dog in a wagon or put a dog harness on the dog and connect it to a seatbelt. A car harness with a seatbelt connector sells for around $30 depending on the size of the dog. They can be bought at My pet warehouse and they have 5 locations in Melbourne.
www.petautosafety.com
www.mypetwarehouse.com.au
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX8bFehjhkU
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmVJa_A64oE
www.paw-rescue.org - pets in hot cars
It's taken a decade, but at last the child safety seat system recognised as the world's best is heading hear, and the Australian version will have greater side impact protection than Europe's. ISOFIX
www.recalls.gov.au
www.childcarrestraints.com.au
www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au
www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/Internet/Primary/road+safety/child+safety
Thousands of Maxi Cosi child car seats taken off shelves over serious safety concerns
Child restraints - 10 tips from Cartalk
Plan ahead when buying a child restraint or booster seat especially if your baby is due soon. This will give you more time to assess your needs.
Make sure you have done your research in advance and stick to reputable brands such as Britax - Safe N Sound. These products are made and tested in Melbourne and meet / exceed Australian Standards.
www.britax.com.au www.maxi-cosi.com/au-en
Buy from a reputable retailer, if you have bought the wrong type of child restraint you will be able to exchange it for another model or design that is more suitable for your specific type of vehicle and needs.
They also come in different colours and styles with additional features and benefits. Some retailers also have their specials during the year and the savings will more than pay for the installation by a professional installer.
Use a professional installer, as its important that the seat is properly installed and not become lose from its connecting points. It may help save your baby or childs life if involved in a major accident.
If you are not sure what child restraint to buy, speak to an experienced child seat installer and they will give you a guide of what to purchase depending on the type of vehicle that you are driving and the age of the child.
Pricing guide for installing child seats is usually around $30 during the week & up to $40 - $50 on a saturday / sunday at a retailers site. Special fittings will cost extra. You will also receive a certificate for installing the seat.
Some professional installers do have vans and can install seats at your home. You can pay around $ 50 for a standard installation plus extra for special fittings to suit the specific vehicle.
Its a good idea to make a booking in advance as some retailers / installers are very busy especially on a saturday. Try booking during the week.
Be careful with some installers as they may not be professionally qualified and may overcharge for the service. If in doubt stick to a reputable retailer that offers different child restraints so you can compare price points and quality of the products and have an on site regular professional installer.
For more information about child restraints, see links below.
www.kidsafe.com.au
www.childcarrestraints.com.au
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTJzSHHHsk8
Head restraints and whiplash
www.edmunds.com/car-safety/protect-your-neck
www.mynrma.com.au/motoring-services/road-safety/seating
Pets in hot cars
Pets in Cars - care and consideration
Don’t leave your pets in the car for a long period of time. Park in a shady area and leave a window open.
Set your watch or mobile phone to remind you to check on your pets regularly especially on warm days and keep some water and a bowl in the car.
Make sure your pet has ID attached in case it escapes from the car or it is stolen.
When buying another car, consider a lighter color as will reflect the heat better than a darker color such as black or dark green or dark grey and consider a wagon or SUV.
It is also safer to keep your pets in a secured harness or keep in the cargo area of your wagon or SUV especially when the car is being driven.
The best tip is to leave your dogs home in hot weather as they will be safe and secure.
If you see signs of heat exhaustion take your pets into a cool area and make sure you have fresh water and a bowl. Slowly give your dog some water and place a cold towel on the head and immerse the dog in cool water.
Animals do not sweat like humans. Dogs cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paws. Animals can collapse, suffer brain damage and die of heatstroke if the car is overheated.
When driving your car and the dog is kept in the back seat, put some blankets and pillows behind the front seat near the floor. This will add protection to the dog when you suddenly brake or do a sharp turn to avoid an accident and stop the dog from falling down and being injured.
A better option is to cage the dog in a wagon or put a dog harness on the dog and connect it to a seatbelt. A car harness with a seatbelt connector sells for around $30 depending on the size of the dog. They can be bought at My pet warehouse and they have 5 locations in Melbourne.
www.petautosafety.com
www.mypetwarehouse.com.au
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX8bFehjhkU
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmVJa_A64oE
www.paw-rescue.org - pets in hot cars
