A child’s car seat may be the most important safety device you ever provide for your child. Even in a minor collision, an unrestrained child may be thrown about inside the vehicle, injuring themselves and others.

In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that approximately 75% of all child car seats in use are incorrectly fitted, incompatible with the car or van, or inappropriate for the child. Check you know the law about carrying children in cars and vans at https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules.

There is a huge variety of seats to choose from for different weights and ages; every seat has different installation instructions, which need to be followed carefully.

A series of short films giving information about car seat groupings and the most appropriate seat for your child can be found on the RoSPA website at: http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/films/

Further information can be found at: www.goodeggcarsafety.com

The five most common faults regarding the fitting of child car seat are explained in this video:

Look out for:

1. Harness height.
2. Buckle crunch.
3. Removing bulky clothing.
4. Check belt route.
5. Twisted harness.

Some other top tips for your child's car seat

• Remember to always buy a car seat from a reputable retailer, who can demonstrate how the seat fits your car or van, before you make a purchase. Check that the staff are trained and qualified to fit car seats.
• Never buy a second-hand child car seat, and never use one once it has been involved in a collision.
• Check your child’s weight and height regularly, to ensure that your seat is still suitable for your child.

Making our roads safer is something we can all do, and we can also make our streets greener at the same time. Making less car journeys, especially short journeys, will reduce the number of cars on the road, will help the population’s fitness and health levels, reduce air pollution and plastic pollution, from tyre wear.

Are there any trips you could replace with greener travel, walking, cycling?

Is your child’s school taking part in the Safer Essex Road Partnership school’s programme? We offer a range of sessions to ALL schools and colleges in Essex.

Find out more about what we offer to schools here:

• Primary schools
• Secondary schools
• Colleges

Bikeability training is offered to all schools in Essex and sessions during school holiday’s, available at a range of levels, from learning to ride, through to starting to cycle on the road. Find out more from the Bikeability website here: https://www.essexhighways.org/safer-greener-healthier-cycling

• Find out more about cycling safely on our cycling page

Are there parking issues at your school? If there are recurring issues that you want to discuss, feel free to contact us, or your local Parking Partnership.

• South Essex Parking Partnership
• North Essex Parking Partnership

Cycling in Southend:
https://www.southendlearningnetwork.co.uk/Services/3310

Cycling in Thurrock:
https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/cycling/cycling-in-thurrock

Letting your child make their own way to school solo, or peer grouped, walk to the shops might be nerve racking, but there are some simple tips that can help you and your child gain greater independence.

• Plan your child’s route, perhaps have a look at online maps or walk the route with your child. Find safe places to cross, see how your child crosses the road without your lead. For example, do they cross where visibility is good? Look for things like street lighting in the winter months.
• Create an action, in case they have a problem. What would they do? Do they have access to a mobile phone? Do they have numbers saved of people they might need to contact?
• Think about their clothing. Light, bright clothing is safer, look for reflective strips on clothing, especially winter coats, that are often dark colours. Or, get reflective bands or stickers to add to outerwear or coats.

Here are some games you might want to play with your children:

• Pre-school children: including the ‘Road Safety Checklist’ An activity to understand road safety signs
• Primary age pupils: including resources such as, ‘Journey Planner’ and ‘Snakes and Hazards Quiz’
• Secondary age pupils: including examples of road safety activities for secondary years

Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents have also an online guide for parents: Teaching Road Safety: A Guide for Parents (rospa.com)

Your children may express their wish to ride an e-scooter. If you want to know the facts, please see our e scooter brochure [PDF], which has great advice on safe usage of e-scooters.

As your children grow up, they will be making more journeys independently, but what can you do to support them?

Questions to ask:

• Think about what they would do in an emergency?
• Do they know who they could call? Or, if they were in an accident or lost.
• Get your family to download What3 Words app.
• Plan ahead, check weather forecasts, download bus timetable apps or travel maps. Check routes before leaving or contact information for your destination.
• Would your child get into a car with a friend driving? Would they know when it is safe to travel with a friend?

Are your children learning to drive, or passengers in a friend’s car? There are lots of tips, advice, and support on our young drivers page.

My Small Change is a programme SERP runs, to help with making your young adults road safe. Find out more here:

• My Small Change