When Herts County Council road safety officers recently joined with 4 local garages to offer free checks on child car seats they were horrified to find that a staggering 97% needed adjusting.

Common faults which could put your child at risk are:

• Seats loose in the car
• Forward facing seats being used the wrong way round
• Body harness too loose and twisted
• Wrong seat for the size of child
• Seat not suitable for the model of car

"Figures from other areas across the country tell the same story," commented ………… ………., the County Council's Head of Road Safety. "If a child is correctly strapped into a properly fitted car seat, she or he is 90% less likely to be killed and 75% less likely to be seriously injured."

In the light of these recent results, road safety officers are urging parents to have their child's seat checked to avoid these sorts of problems. Some seats and cars don't match. A wobbly seat, a loose seat belt or a slack harness, a belt going the wrong way or a small defect in the seat are all common faults which could put your child at risk.

The Road Safety unit and a number of garages have joined a national scheme called "Fit Safe Sit Safe" which enables parents to have their child car seats checked free of charge. There are 14 Hertfordshire garages in the scheme with trained staff. (A list of garages is attached). It doesn't matter what type of car or seat you have and you don't need to buy anything to make use of the service. If any extra work is required you will be advised at once.

If you have any problems with your child's seat or you would like more information about the Fit Safe scheme please ring …………..at the Road Safety Unit on …………….