Sharp rise in child deaths linked to incorrectly fitted seats

The sharp rise in child deaths linked to incorrectly fitted seats as campaigners warn

Seven out of ten car seats for children tested in 2014 in England and Wales do not meet minimum fitting standards, say Good Egg Safety.

Good Egg, which has tested 20,500 child safety seats in England, Wales and Scotland since 2002, found that 71% of seats tested in England and Wales were unsafe in 2014, and 64% in Scotland. The national average over the last five years has been 57%, but this masks a year-on-year increase from 47% in 2010 to 67% in 2014.

The figures come at the same time as Department for Transport statistics revealing that the number of children killed or seriously injured on Britain's roads has risen for the first time in two decades. This means that two thirds of the children and babies in Britain are now at risk as a result of the seat being improperly fitted, incorrect for the size and weight of the child, or wrong for the make and model of vehicle.

On-line purchases, second-hand seats and hand-me-downs have also contributed to a sharp 43% growth in incorrect fitting since 2010. Good Egg online surveys also show that certain retailers are failing to give the necessary basic advice for a safe fitting.

Jan James, Chief Executive of Good Egg Safety, said: "This week's figures on casualties show clearly that we are not, as a nation, taking child car safety seriously enough.

"The saddest thing is most parents and grandparent genuinely want what is best for their children, they just don't know how to choose the right seats nor how to fit them.

"If you're buying in a shop, insist that a trained sales assistant helps you fit the seat, and that you specify your child's height and weight and the car's model before buying.

"If you're buying online, don't unless you can put this information in. If the seat arrives without clear instructions for fitting and testing, then send it back.

"If you're offered a second hand seat, just politely decline: there is very little chance that a second hand seat will be right for your car and your child - you wouldn't entrust your child with a stranger yet that's exactly what you are doing if you place them in a seat without knowing its history."