Parents, carers and grandparents across Wiltshire are being encouraged to take advantage of a series of free child car seat safety check events taking place this April.
Run by Wiltshire Council, the sessions offer friendly, no-judgement support to help families make sure their child’s car seat is fitted and used correctly.
Specialist advisors will be available at each event from 10am to 3pm, providing practical, hands-on guidance. With research showing that many car seats are incorrectly installed, the checks aim to improve safety, boost confidence and give families peace of mind when travelling.
Where and when
The free events will be held at:
- Tuesday 21 April – Morrisons, Weymouth Street, Warminster
- Wednesday 22 April – Morrisons, Estcourt Street, Devizes
- Thursday 23 April – Lidl, Hungerdown Lane, Chippenham
No booking is required and families can simply drop in on the day.
What to expect
With so many different seat types, fitting methods and regulations, it’s easy to feel unsure if you’ve got everything right. Advisors will be on hand to check your seat, answer questions and make any adjustments needed to improve safety.
They can help with:
- When to move your child to the next stage seat
- How tight the harness should be
- Vehicle compatibility
- Headrest height and seat positioning
Families will also get practical tips, including removing thick coats before fastening harnesses, limiting time in infant carriers, and keeping children rear-facing for as long as possible.
Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, said, “Car seat safety can feel confusing, especially with different designs and changing regulations. It’s completely normal to want reassurance that everything is fitted and used correctly. These events offer a quick, practical opportunity for anyone who travels with children to pop by and get expert support.”
He added, “Sometimes just a small tweak can make a big difference to safety, so I’d encourage anyone who uses a child car seat to come along and get it checked. Our team will be on-hand to provide friendly, knowledgeable advice and practical help.”
As part of its wider road safety work, Wiltshire Council says the events support its commitment to helping families travel more safely across the county.
For those wanting to learn more, additional advice, fitting guides and free online learning are available via Car Seat Smarter.
