Measure Up for Child Safety Week!

In just two years 613 children in Staffordshire were injured or killed as a passenger in a car. You will never expect to be involved in a car accident, but when it happens, a well fitted car or booster seat could save your child's life.

In 2006 it became law for children under 12 years old and under 135cm tall to use an appropriate car seat yet there are still some children in Staffordshire who are travelling without one.

The Interim Chair of Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board, Sally Rees reminds all parents and carers that;

"If you were involved in a crash at just 30mph, your child would be thrown with a force of 30 to 60 times their body weight. They would almost certainly be thrown around the inside the vehicle causing injury to themselves and other passengers. The likelihood is that they would then fall through one of the car windows…You are never expecting your family to be involved in a car accident, but if the worst happens, a well fitted car or booster seat could save your child's life."

So, this year, during Child Safety Week, Staffordshire's Safeguarding Children Board is hoping to reinforce the message that car seats are a necessity - not just because they are a legal requirement, but because they will help to keep Staffordshire's children safe.

If you've got a child under 12 years old, please take a minute to check their height…if they are under 135cm tall, you'll need to make sure they use a suitable car seat. For further advice and support about the right car seat for your child, please click on the following links;