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Southend-on-Sea Borough Council - 01.07
Is your child travelling safely?

By law, children must use a child seat for almost every single car journey, no matter how short. However, it is vitally important that all seats are fitted correctly.

The Road Safety Team at Southend-on-Sea Borough Council will be offering a free child carseat checking service on Saturday 27 th January 2007 at ASDA, North Shoebury Road, Shoeburyness and again on Saturday 10 th February 2007 at Tesco, Prince Avenue, Westcliff. Both events will run from 10am to 4pm, when parents and anyone who travels with a child is invited to come along for advice and to have their car seat fitting checked by a professional.

Collette Kemp, Road Safety Officer, said: " The safest way for children to travel in cars is in a child seat that is suitable for their weight and size. Even in a minor crash, an unrestrained child, or one whose seat is not fitted correctly, could be thrown about inside the vehicle, injuring themselves and others; they could be thrown from the car through one of the windows."

The checks will be carried out by Cathy and Vicky from the In-Car Safety Centre, Kiln Road, Benfleet, who will also be able to give information and advice on travelling with children.

Remember, even if your child's car seat stays in the car permanently it should be checked regularly to make sure it is still securely held. Children who have grown out of child seats still need to use booster seats and booster cushions. New laws that came into effect in September 2006 requiring all children under 12 to use a booster seat are estimated to prevent over 2000 child deaths or injuries each year.

Those who cannot attend on 27 th January or 10 th February may like to visit the In-Car Safety Centre, rear of Castle Point Council Offices, Kiln Road (London Road), Benfleet on any Friday between 11am and 3.30pm.

On-line information about child car seat safety is available from www.childcarseats.org.uk . For further details about the car seat checking events in Southend, contact the Road Safety Team on 01702-215715, or email collettekemp@southend.gov.uk.

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