“Don’t kid about safety. You may be the goat” - Illinois Steel Company Motto, 1916

Your little ones need the best protection possible.

Child restraint rules can be confusing. Use of the incorrect child restraint or poorly fitted restraints can lead to devastating consequences. Confusion can be generated by the age regulations imposed by the government versus a height and weight recommendation from Child Restraint manufacturers. The reality is that both need to be taken into account to ensure maximum protection.

Tyres & More can help you choose the appropriate child restraint for your needs and/or fit your own child restraint. We have 65 store locations across Australia, so come in today and we’ll make sure that your little vegemites are tucked up tight.

So what are the current Child Restraint Rules? 

  • Newborns and babies up to 6 months of age must be in a rearward facing, correctly fitted child restraint.

  • For children 6 months to under 4 years, either a rearward or forward facing correctly fitted restraint is required.

  • Children aged 4 years to 7 years must be secured in a forward facing restraint or booster seat that is fitted correctly.

  • Children under 4 years may not travel in the front seat of a car where the car has two or more rows.

  • Children aged between 4 and 7 years must not travel in the front seat of a vehicle that has two or more rows unless all the other back seats are occupied by children who are also under 7 years travelling in an approved child restraint.

Child restraint fitting is only available at selected stores. Please call ahead to confirm if your local Tyres & More store completes this service and is accredited. 

Quick Tips for Best Safety Practices: 

  • Read the manual. The most important tip is to read and understand the manufacturer's instructions and to use your child's shoulder height as a trigger for changing the current restraint. If your child has reached the maximum shoulder height then it is time to progress to the next child restraint.

  • If you would like to move your child into a new restraint but their shoulders are below the minimum shoulder height on the new child restraint, regardless of their age, it is safer to keep them in their existing child restraint.

  • Your child should be kept in a child restraint regardless of age until they are too big. This provides maximum protection.

  • Many injuries are caused from poorly fitted seat belts. When using a lap sash belt the lap belt must fit low over the hip. The sash must sit neatly in the middle of the shoulder and not near the neck.

  • Use second hand Child Restraints with caution, as restraints can show signs of wear that may be dangerous.