Holden's child safety community program is aimed at raising awareness about the proper use of infant capsules and child seats in vehicles. Around 1,300 child occupants are severely injured or killed on Australian roads each year.

Through activities such as free child seat safety inspections and public education materials including brochures and posters, Holden is aiming to reduce injuries that result from misuse of child restraints in vehicles.

Holden provides a free mobile child seat safety inspection service which visits kindergartens, schools, childcare centres and crèches as part of a pilot program in the Melbourne area. Extending to all makes and models, this is the first free mobile inspection service of its kind in Australia.

Research and previous child seat inspections show that around 70 per cent of child restraints are not fitted or used properly. This community service initiative is aimed at reducing the injuries that can result from this misuse.

The mobile service has a leading authority on child restraint fitment on hand to provide assessments and advice to parents, to rectify mistakes and advise parents on appropriate usage. Parents are also provided with written summaries and recommendations.

Some common errors in fitting and using child seats include placing a child in a restraint which is inappropriate for the child's weight and height; not anchoring the child seat tightly enough; not using top tether straps; incorrectly threading seat belts; loose and unbuckled seat belts and twisted and damaged seat belts.

Although misuse of child restraints can cause serious injuries, children who are properly restrained survive very high speed crashes - in many cases with only minor injuries or bruising. The mobile child seat inspection service will make checks more immediately available for busy parents.

According to the Monash University Accident Research Centre, car crashes are the leading cause of death for children aged 0 - 14 years in Australia.

Those interested in organising an inspection event at their Melbourne-based childcare centre or school, should contact Belinda Simmons on Tel: 03 9289 9519.