A SELKIRK mum is urging other parents to take up the offer of a car seat safety check.

Mum-of-two Amy Wight spent hours researching child seats online before buying one for her child.

But she learned last week that it still wasn’t fitted properly during a safety check in Peebles.

Amy said: “I thought I knew all about car seats but the check proves that I don’t.

“A lot of people buy car seats second-hand these days on the internet and they don’t know how to fit them properly.

“It is reassuring to know that my seat is now fitted correctly and my child is safe.” Research shows that almost two-thirds of child seats in vehicles across Scotland aren’t fitted properly.

And almost three-quarters of retailers give inaccurate advice when selling them.

Officers from the Government-backed Good Egg Safety and roads officers from Police Scotland were in the Peebles’ Tesco Car Park last Wednesday.

And throughout the day they showed how to fit seats safely.

Kat Furlong, who is a manager with Good Egg Safety, told us: “I don’t force myself on anyone but it is much better that people find out from me that their child seat isn’t fitted properly, or is the wrong type, than when they crash.

“We have a big problem in this country with seats not being fitted properly.” Good Egg Safety was formed in 2001 and the following year began partnership work with the Scottish Government.

They have safety officers working all over the UK as well as, more recently, in America and the United Arab Emirates.

The latest figures show that 64 per cent of all child seats in Scottish cars are fitted incorrectly - the figure is even higher at 71 per cent for the whole of the UK.

And a mystery shopper survey undertaken by Good Egg Safety found that 75 per cent of retailers in Scotland gave the wrong advice when the seats were purchased.

Many of the child seats checked in the Borders last week were also found to be fitted incorrectly.

Ms Furlong added: “Every child up to the age of 12 is required by law to have a safety seat. We want to make sure these seats are fitted properly.” Roads police officers David Johnson and Paul Aitchison were on hand to help with this week’s safety checks.

PC Aitchison said: “Our role is more educational than enforcement and most people are happy to take the advice which is given.

“It is our priority to keep people safe on the roads in the Borders.

“You find that most people don’t know which way the seats should face and how they should be fitted - another problem is airbags being on when they shouldn’t be.” Dozens of family cars were given free checks throughout this week’s event.

Peebles mum-of-one Gina Walker was shown a more secure way of strapping in her child’s seat. The businesswoman told us: “I have learned how to fit the seat properly for the size of my child.

“It is reassuring that my seat is a good one but I would recommend any parent to have their seats checked.” Good Egg Safety carry out three or four seat check sessions in the Borders each year.