Rotorua police and parents work together on car seat safety

Rotorua police and the Rotorua Parent Centre have partnered in an effort to better educate people on how to safely transport kids in the car.

The Car Seat Initiative will be hitting the Countdown Fenton St carpark this Saturday with hands on lessons, giveaways and "information galore".

Traffic Constable Emily Bryce said it was her first time organising the event but wanted to stress how important it was.

"It has come about from dealing with families who aren't educated," she said.

"Through no fault of their own, they just don't know where to go for advice."

The main aim of the event is to prevent harm and educate families.

"I need to stress that although there will be police there, this is not about enforcement," she said.

"We're not going to be handing out tickets, this is about education."

Miss Bryce said a child being restrained properly was one of the most important things.

"You may be the best driver, but people make mistakes and people in other cars make mistakes," she said.

Rotorua parents centre child restraint technician Alice Waitoa, 4-year-old Masiah and Rotorua police traffic constable Emily Bryce teaching us about child car seat safety. Photo/Stephen Parker

Miss Bryce has seen the benefits of having children restrained correctly firsthand, having been in a car accident with her own child in the back seat.

Miss Bryce said they were grateful for the support of groups like Road Safety Rotorua who had donated children's car seats and the Rotorua Parents Centre who would be giving away free nappies on the day.

Rotorua Parents Centre child restraint technician Alice Waitoa said their research had shown around 80 per cent of children weren't fitted in their car seat correctly.

"It might be something minor like the straps are too low or not tight enough," she said.

"I'm more than happy to help the community."

The Rotorua Parent Centre has also recently opened Rotorua Car Seat Clinic through Facebook.

The clinic was set up to educate and inform the community after Plunket removed the service.

"Currently we are just working through Facebook, but people can arrange seat fittings or get advice from us," Mrs Waitoa said.

"We also source cheap or second hand car seats and donate them to families that need them."

The event will be held from 2pm to 4pm this Saturday in the Countdown carpark.

If you are unable to attend you can still get information and advice from the Rotorua Car Seat Clinic at www.facebook.com/rotorua.carseats

Details:
What: The Car Seat Initiative
Where: Countdown Fenton St carpark
When: Saturday, August 19, 2pm-4pm
Cost: Free