Help drive down serious injuries – get your child’s car seat checked

Local emergency services are assisting this years' campaign urging local people to get their car seats checked in light of startling national and local statistics. 

Last year, 56% of car seats checked at the free 'Good Egg' clinic in Orkney were found to be incorrectly fitted.

Police Scotland’s Area Commander for Orkney, Chief Inspector Matt Webb, says while this is on par with national figures, he's keen to see an improvement - and to make clear that people attending the free checks by experts are not at risk of getting in trouble with the law:

"The checks are carried out by specially trained a Good Egg Safety expert, not police officers - and the expert is very well versed in all the options and variables across both car seats and vehicle models.

"Having a car seat that is compatible for your child and car decreases the chances of serious injury for children involved in car accidents.

"Last year's figures are an improvement on the previous year - where 80% of seats checked had errors - but there's clearly room for improvement.
"It's the tragic consequences of serious injuries that we're focussing on preventing. It's not a law enforcement exercise."

The local Scottish Fire and Rescue team will also be there with a fire engine, to help draw attention to the clinic.

The Orkney Road Safety Forum - which includes partners such as Orkney Islands Council, NHS Orkney, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Scottish Ambulance Service - has helped arrange and publicise the clinics since they started visiting Orkney in 2009.

Chair of the forum, Councillor Andrew Drever, said: "We'd urge anyone who drives children about - whether that's childminders, grandparents and parents or wider friends and families - to just drop into the clinic. It's five or ten minutes very well spent.

"It's worth noting the clinic can also provide advice and guidance to anyone looking to buy a car seat, potentially helping families avoid making a costly mistake.”
"For people who already have a car seat, it's an opportunity to get some reassurance that your car seat is compatible with your vehicle, and get tips and advice on improving the fit to the car and also to the children using it."

The Good Egg Safety Child Seat clinic is in the Tesco car park in Kirkwall on Tuesday 17 July, running from 11am to 4pm. There's no need to book - just look for the Good Egg rep in the Tesco foyer, or head to the red fire engine.