Infants and preschoolers

All children up to the age of seven must be in the correct restraint for their age. The penalty for not having a child in the correct restraint is $352 and three demerit points.

NSW child restraint laws:

• 0 to 6 months must be secured in a rearward-facing restraint.
• 6 months to 4 years must be in a rearward or forward-facing restraint.
• 4 to 7 years must be in a forward-facing restraint or booster seat.

Types of restraints:

• Rearward-facing restraint
• Forward-facing restraint
• Convertible restraint
• Booster seat
• ISOFIX

The child restraint safety rating

The Child Restraint Evaluation Program (CREP) gives parents ease of use and safety ratings on individual child restraints.

• Child restraints are designed to match a child's age and size.
• All child restraints sold in Australia must comply with the Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754.

View the CREP child car seat buying guide.

Tips for the correct use of a child restraint:

• Check that straps and belts are not twisted.
• Listen for the click when buckling your child in.
• Fit the harness firmly – only two fingers should fit between your child and the harness.

Each summer, many children are rescued from locked cars. Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise rapidly, creating dangerous conditions in minutes.

Facts

• Around 75% of the temperature increase inside a car occurs within the first five minutes after doors are closed.
• Large vehicles heat up just as quickly as small ones.
• On a 30°C day, a closed vehicle can reach around 78°C. Even with windows partially open, temperatures can still climb to around 70°C.

Risks

• As temperatures rise, humidity increases and airflow drops, making it harder for a child’s body to cool itself.
• Young children are far more sensitive to heat than adults and can begin to suffer dehydration, heat stress or heat stroke very quickly.
• If a distressed child attempts to get out of their restraint, they may become entangled and at risk of strangulation.

Tips

• Never leave children in a car without adult supervision, not even for a short errand.
• Always take children with you when leaving the vehicle.
• Offer cool water regularly during trips and dress children in lightweight, light coloured clothing.
• When planning longer journeys, consider travelling during cooler parts of the day and take breaks at least every two hours.
• Avoid using sun protection hoods on rearward facing restraints, as they reduce airflow; use a visor or sunshade instead.

When pre schoolers ride scooters, trikes or bikes, even as passengers, they rely entirely on the adults around them to keep them safe.

Facts

• Toddlers’ heads are proportionally larger and heavier than an adult’s, increasing the force placed on their neck and skull during a fall.
• Even at low speeds, tip overs are one of the most common causes of injury for young passengers on wheels.
• A properly fitted helmet reduces the risk of head injury by spreading impact forces across the helmet shell and inner padding.
• Children learn through imitation — when adults model consistent helmet use, young children are more likely to develop lifelong safety habits.

Risks

• A helmet that is loose, tilted back or incorrectly adjusted may shift during a fall, offering little or no protection.
• Even mild falls can result in serious head injuries in toddlers due to their developing brains and limited ability to brace themselves.
• Adults riding without a helmet risk incapacitating injury. If a parent is hurt, there may be no one able to assist or comfort the child.
• Sudden stops, uneven surfaces or minor collisions can cause tip overs, even when travelling slowly.

Tips

• Ensure your toddler’s helmet sits low, level and snug, with straps correctly adjusted under the chin.
• Check helmet fit regularly — children grow quickly, and adjustments may be needed.
• Choose helmets that meet Australian Standards and replace any that have been in a crash.
• Always wear your own helmet first. It protects you and reinforces safe habits for your child.
• Treat short rides the same as long ones — helmets every time, even for a quick trip.

Tragically, on average, one child is run over in their driveway every week in Australia. In the time it takes for a driver to say goodbye and start the car, a child may have moved into the path of the vehicle.

Facts

• More than a third of motor vehicle incidents that claim the lives of pedestrians under six occur in driveways, carparks and yards.
• Children under three are at greatest risk of driveway incidents, often involving a reversing vehicle driven by someone they know.
• Many children who survive driveway incidents sustain severe or permanent injuries.
• Vehicles Testing shows that most vehicles have a large blind spot behind them. Even with parking sensors or a reversing camera, a small child, especially close to the rear bumper can remain unseen.

Risks

• Children can move quickly and unpredictably, entering the vehicle’s path before a driver has time to react.
• Children below the window and mirror height of the car are extremely difficult to see from the driver’s seat.
• Driveways are often treated as play spaces, increasing the likelihood that children wander into danger.
• Reliance on technology alone, such as cameras or sensors, can create a false sense of security.

Tips

• Treat the driveway like a small road, children should not play there.
• Supervise children closely whenever a vehicle is being moved; keep them within arm’s reach.
• If you’re the only adult at home, place children safely in the vehicle with you before reversing or moving the car.
• Use gates, fencing or security doors to restrict children’s access to the driveway.
• Walk around the vehicle before getting in, checking for children or toys that may be hidden from view.