By KLTV Newsdesk – 

Parents urged to ensure seats are correctly fitted for their children

Parents and carers across West Yorkshire can have their child’s car seats checked by a professional for free, with events scheduled in every district.

Qualified safety advisors will inspect car seats and assist if any issues are identified.

The events are being run by Good Egg Safety CIC and organised by West Yorkshire Vision Zero, the region’s road safety partnership.

No appointment is necessary; anyone wishing to attend can simply turn up.

Follow-up to summer 2025 checks

The additional events come after 25 checks were held in the summer of 2025.

Around 800 seats were examined, with nearly two-thirds found to be fitted incorrectly.

Common issues included a slack seat belt, a loose base, an incorrectly adjusted foot prop, incorrect belt routing, and the carry handle being in the wrong position.

Safety experts warn that improperly fitted seats could offer reduced or no protection in the event of a crash.

Officials stress the importance of correct fitting

Alison Lowe OBE, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime and Chair of the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Board, said: “Ultimately, the only question is, are you one hundred per cent sure your children are sitting safely in your car?

“If the answer is no, then please attend one of these free events and get peace of mind.

“Being a nana myself, I made sure to make use of the service.”

Janis James MBE, Chief Executive of Good Egg Safety CIC, added: “These free community child seat checks delivered in partnership with West Yorkshire Vision Zero are absolutely vital.

“Alarmingly, almost two-thirds of the child car seats we checked last year were either incorrectly fitted to the vehicle, incorrectly fitted to the child, or both.

“Any one of the errors identified could have significantly reduced – or completely removed – the protection the child seats were designed to provide in a collision.

“We are incredibly grateful to West Yorkshire Vision Zero for recognising the importance of prevention and education, and for commissioning further events.

“This partnership is directly helping to reduce risk, improve parental confidence and, most importantly, keep children safer on our roads.”

Child car seat guidance

Children are required by law to use a child car seat until they are 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first.

For more information about the upcoming events, visit West Yorkshire Car Seat Check.