Warning over baby car seat safety

Community nurses in the Heavy Woollen area of West Yorkshire say they have become “increasingly alarmed” over numbers of infants who are not correctly fastened into car seats, leaving them at risk of head or neck injuries.

Nurses working for Locala Community Partnerships say they have seen babies swaddled and placed over straps, straps cut out completely and incorrectly fastened straps.

They are launching the “Strap me not wrap me” campaign with Kirklees Council and West Yorkshire Police.

Police community support officer Julie Buxton, of Dewsbury and Mirfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This is a serious issue and people could be compromising their baby’s safety without even realising it.”

Coun Cathy Scott, Kirklees Cabinet member for Streetscene, said: “I often hear the excuse it was just a short trip, but as most accidents occur on short journeys the length of the trip is no excuse.”

Anyone driving a car with a baby not strapped into their baby seat faces a fine of £100-£500.