The Isabelle Broadhead Story

Belle's Memorial Page: http://isabelle-broadhead.memory-of.c...

Excerpted from Belle's Mmemorial page:
Information on 'H' Harnesses

If your child is small enough to fit into a Child Restraint that has a five point harness (like a 0-4 seat) then use that. An 'H' harness is not as safe as a five point harness child restraint for small children under 5's. It can perform worse in an accident than an adult Belt.

We'd like to stress the importance of using a crotch strap/clip when using an "H" harness with a booster seat. Standards Australia allows for these harnesses to be used without a crotch strap, but it is far safer with the strap fitted. Always get your seat checked by an acredited fitter. Ring the RTA to find a fitter near you. If it isn't fitted correctly it could be deadly.

We began this awareness campaign to get children into safer seats and back into baby seats where possible. If your child has outgrown their 0-4 seat, then take them to be fitted by an accredited fitter.


New car seat rules 'to save children'
STEPHANIE GARDINER
November 4, 2009 - 4:26PM
AAP

Car crash victim Isabelle Broadhead's legacy will live on, with the introduction of new car seat regulations aimed at saving children's lives.

Isabelle Broadhead, 3, died after an accident in April 2006 that occurred while she was using a booster seat and an adult seatbelt in a car travelling just 40km/h.

Since then, her parents, Danielle and Noel Broadhead, have been campaigning for better regulations to keep children safe.

On Wednesday, the NSW government announced new safety rules - dubbed Isabelle's regulations - that mean children aged up to seven will have to be strapped into car restraints.

An emotional Mrs Broadhead thanked Isabelle and said her daughter had given her many gifts.

"And for me the greatest gift is that she lives on longer than she was actually here, that she's close to us and that she gives back ... that she will help keep children safer," Mrs Broadhead told reporters.

The couple have long been researching safe ways for children to travel and hope the new rules will be easy for parents to understand.

"Sometimes ... they just don't know that in an accident it can be catastrophic at such a low speed," she said.

"It was a minute in time and then she was gone."

The regulations, which are part of national reforms, mean children younger than six months must be placed in a rearward-facing restraint.

Those aged six months to four years must be secured in a rear or forward-facing restraint, while children between four and seven must use a forward-facing restraint or a booster seat.

Until now it has only been compulsory for children up to the age of one to travel in baby capsules or seats that contain their own restraints.

NSW Premier Nathan Rees said the changes were about saving children's lives.

"We can always do more to reduce the road toll, to reduce the tragedy and the impact on loved ones that comes from those deaths on the roads," Mr Rees said.

The new rules come into effect on March 1 and there will be a four-month amnesty on enforcement so parents can get used to the changes.

Information about restraints can be found on the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) website.

Mr Broadhead hopes parents won't be reluctant to buy a new seat because of the cost.

"We would give any amount of money to get our daughter back and we're sure if they had even an inkling of what it's like to lose your child, they wouldn't think twice about spending the money to buy one of those seats," he said.