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This Nifty $10 Gadget Takes Children’s Car Seat Safety to a Whole New Level

A South Australian inventor has designed the Lockie seat belt retainer, an incredible device aimed to increase the safety of your child’s car seat by preventing the seatbelt from loosening over time.

The man behind the clever gadget’s invention, Pete Miller, had personally installed over 5,000 car seats as the manager of the Red Cross Baby Seats.

Over the years he’d seen many car seats come in with loose straps caused by incorrectly tensioned belts and has since spent the past 12 months building prototypes of his concept – the Lockie seat belt retainer.  Not only did Pete want to create a device that secured the belt, he wanted to ensure that it was also easy for parents to use.

infasecure-lockieCar seat safety was often compromised just by usage and the seat belt losing it’s original tension so the Lockie seat belt retainer when wedged in place on the seat belt, creates resistance and tension for the belt to remain taught and not come loose. It also acts as a deterrent to others to not accidentally undo the wrong seat belt buckle too!

infasecure-lockie-car-safety-gadgetMiller has worked with Infasecure to produce the product based on his determination to keep the manufacturing in Australia, as he’s not only passionate about car safety but local employment.

“If one kid isn’t in a wheelchair because of a product I made, then that’s a good feeling,” Miller says.

Lockie will retail for $9.99 and be available at major retailers and online from the end of October.

divider-3enter-to-winThanks to Infasecure and Lockie, we’ve got 10 of these clever units to give away – so simply complete the entry form below and comment in the blog telling us what you love about Lockie and we could be sending one your way!  GOOD LUCK!

If you’re in a hurry, jump to 3:55 to see a quick rundown on how Lockie works!

Win 1 of 10 Lockie Seat Belt Retainers and Keep Your Kids Safe in their Car Seats

Avatar of Belinda Jennings

Belinda's a passionate advocate for community and connection. As the founder of the Mum Central Network she’s committed to celebrating the journey that is Australian parenthood. Mum to two cheeky boys, and wife to her superstar husband, they live a busy but crazy lifestyle in Adelaide. Great conversation, close friends and good chocolate are her chosen weapons for daily survival. Oh, and bubbles. Champagne is key.

158 Comments

  1. Avatar of Julia Burford
    Julia Burford Reply

    I love that it’s so simple to use and that it’s South Australian made!!

  2. Avatar of May Lee

    I think it’s great how it makes the car seat belt look different from the other car seat belts. I know my niece accidentally undid her sister’s carseat belt and it wasn’t noticed until later. Thankfully no harm came out of it, but it really highlights the possible dangers from having all the belts look the same.

  3. Avatar of Jennifer Allan
    Jennifer Allan Reply

    I love that it’s so simple to use, so many car seats are incorrectly installed because they are too loose and other locking clips too difficult to use, but Lockie will eliminate the difficulty

  4. Avatar of Heather Pitkeathly
    Heather Pitkeathly Reply

    I love the ease of how it can be used.Great for all ages esp nana and poppy.

  5. Avatar of Stephanie Burford
    Stephanie Burford Reply

    I love how simple lockie is to use and it’s cute name 😉

  6. Avatar of Candice Patrick
    Candice Patrick Reply

    I love how easy the Lockie is to use and how cheap it is.

  7. Avatar of Carmel Jarvis
    Carmel Jarvis Reply

    Love that this is so easy to use and make sure the seatbelt stays right. Plus I have a Lachie 🙂

  8. Avatar of Laura McFace
    Laura McFace Reply

    I love that it makes it safer to drive around with your kids

  9. Avatar of Michelle Nailer
    Michelle Nailer Reply

    It is so much easier to use than anything else on the market, plus it’s made in SA!

  10. Avatar of Victoria Johnson
    Victoria Johnson Reply

    It looks so much easier then fighting with the metal clip and always tightening it!

  11. Avatar of Sara-Jane Atkinson
    Sara-Jane Atkinson Reply

    My 5 yr old daughter keeps unplugging her belt this is a must for us!

  12. Avatar of Sarah Miegel
    Sarah Miegel Reply

    The simplicity flaws me, and also makes me realise that I’ve been using the current safety clip wrong :/

  13. Avatar of Rachie Ziino
    Rachie Ziino Reply

    I love that its Easy to use, it makes for a great install so it would never become loose!

  14. Avatar of Jazmyne

    Would be wonderful with 3 kids in the car to stop the buckle getting undone which happens daily.

  15. Avatar of Erin

    I love that it is easy to use and easy to spot, avoiding accidental unbucklings.

  16. Avatar of Sarah Simpson
    Sarah Simpson Reply

    It looks so easy to use! I’ve gone from gated buckles to the exactus clip and now will be replacing them with the Lockie on my car the hubbies car and the grandparents car 🙂

  17. Avatar of Sara Lewis
    Sara Lewis Reply

    Anything that will make my child safer in the car is good by me! And even better that it’s Australian made by InfaSecure.

  18. Avatar of Vanessa King
    Vanessa King Reply

    I love that it is so easy to use. Not being a mother myself, it’s nice to know I can keep my nieces safe so easily in my car.

  19. Avatar of Amanda

    That i wont have to fight with gated buckles anymore! That i know my kids will be super safe!

  20. Avatar of Jodi

    Simple and user friendly & no more busted finger nails oe straining to get the clip on with enough tension.

  21. Avatar of Nicola

    It looks ridiculously easy to use and I know that my child will be safe from his car seat gradually getting looser!

  22. Avatar of Karen

    Looks great and easy to use. Will definitely give this new idea a try.

  23. Avatar of Alice Kun

    I love this clever idea! Definitely safer travels for my toddler if I get to win one of these!

  24. Avatar of Lisa Mullen
    Lisa Mullen Reply

    Looks easier than the one I’m using now. Would be great for the spare seat that’s removed more frequently.

  25. Avatar of Emma Drew

    Long term peace of mind! Love that I won’t have to keep checking for the tension

  26. Avatar of Tracey Kenyon
    Tracey Kenyon Reply

    Definitely need at least one of these iv found a few seat belts undone recently im paranoid now

  27. Avatar of Rebecca Harrison
    Rebecca Harrison Reply

    I’ve got 4 car seats installed and I’m constantly having to tighten them. This product looks so easy to use and will give me peace of mind!

  28. Avatar of Tracey Anne
    Tracey Anne Reply

    Love that its australian made and designed, i also love that its designed by someone who knows what they are talking about from hands on experience

  29. Avatar of Lauren G

    I try and remember to check our car seats regularly and it scares me that they usually need tightening. How long have they been like that?! This would definitely give me peace of mind!

  30. Avatar of Emily Field
    Emily Field Reply

    I love that is Australian designed, owned and made, and that it’s so simple to use.

  31. Avatar of Kristy Emilia Michelson
    Kristy Emilia Michelson Reply

    I love that it’s easy to use, Australian made and owned and is likely to stop improper installation of car seats!

  32. Avatar of Kassia

    I love not being able to undo the seatbelt!! My kids do this often and it scares me so much!

  33. Avatar of Tamaryn Schroeder
    Tamaryn Schroeder Reply

    I always worry that my 5 year old will undo her baby brothers buckle instead of her own. Also I have always found car seats seem loose even though they correctly installed and have the tethering strap so anything that will make the car seat even more secure will really be great and give me peace of mind!

  34. Avatar of Jamie Woods
    Jamie Woods Reply

    After so much frustration installing gated buckles and seat belt clamps, this product looks absolutely amazing! Would love to try one out!

  35. Avatar of Tenae

    I love the price and ease of use with this nifty little device!! Should be fitted to every car seat!!

  36. Avatar of Margaret O'Shea
    Margaret O'Shea Reply

    Looks so easy to use and a great idea. Good price too.

  37. Avatar of Deb

    Great idea. No need to regular check and retension the seat belt. Saves me time but also saves me worrying that it not tensioned correctly.

  38. Avatar of Lorraine Stuart
    Lorraine Stuart Reply

    My son likes to undo the seatbelt to his car seat so this would give me peace of mind.

  39. Avatar of Erin

    A brilliant creation and very affordable. I always struggle to get the seatbelt to stay tight so will definitely be buying a few of these!

  40. Avatar of Melissa M

    This is a fantastic idea. We have to constantly check our daughter’s seat, so lockie would solve this issue!

  41. Avatar of Stacey Lee Brown
    Stacey Lee Brown Reply

    I love that it adds extra safety to my baby’s car seat as I find sometimes it is hard to get the tension right on the straps. Also love that it is an Aussie product. Support Local!

  42. Avatar of Lauren Ibbotson
    Lauren Ibbotson Reply

    I love how easy it looks to install and that its an Australian invention.

  43. Avatar of Evelyn

    I love how simple it is to install and it provides an increase in the safety of the car seat! Such a great invention and something everyone should use.

  44. Avatar of Kg

    The ease of use, the simplicity of the design but mostly the added safety ticks all my parenting (ocd) boxes ✔️

  45. Avatar of dca003

    sounds fantastic. Particularly difficult with 3 car seats in car to ensure that the tension remains and many a time have had the wrong belt ejected.

  46. Avatar of tracy

    oh would be great .. two kids and I always find the tension on older one not great .. what a fantastic idea

  47. Avatar of Deb L

    Hopefully this will fix the problem of one of our car seats belt always getting loose. It’s really bothersome, keeps me late for appointments fixing the seat. Better safe than sorry.

  48. Avatar of Chelsea Kim Blazewicz
    Chelsea Kim Blazewicz Reply

    I look forward to seeing these used everywhere! He should have a booth at the next parenting & baby expo

  49. Avatar of JessD

    That it is easily portable as I often travel with the kids. Also that it was invented by a South Aussie.

  50. Avatar of Leah Parsons
    Leah Parsons Reply

    Wow I love that it’s helping to put our children’s safe first, Aussie made, easy to use & reasonable price!

  51. Avatar of Jamelle

    Love love how easy it is to use and that it’s made in Australia!

  52. Avatar of trisha poole
    trisha poole Reply

    Peace of mind for those times when life gets so busy and you suddenly remember that you didn’t do your weekly safety check for your seat. (Bonus sanity for Australian made and easy to use!(

  53. Avatar of helen c

    Australian made and a great price, For additional safety, don’t think twice!

  54. Avatar of Lori Bono

    Security and peace of mind for our children’s safety! And that’s its Australian Made is a bonus!

  55. Avatar of Jaimi

    Peace of mind that my children are safe, Australian quality and at an amazing price!

  56. Avatar of Julia Morton
    Julia Morton Reply

    i like that its alot more secure, easy to use and gives me confidence that a quality product can provided such assurance

  57. Avatar of Mary Moschovakis
    Mary Moschovakis Reply

    love that its australian made at a price where its affordable for all families but most importantly its gives parents peace of mind re safety and security

  58. Avatar of Stefanie Seiler
    Stefanie Seiler Reply

    I love how it provide me with extra security when the kids are sitting at the back.

  59. Avatar of Kirsty Perkins
    Kirsty Perkins Reply

    What an amazing invention! Keeping my kids safe is of upmost priority and anything that makes it easier is a definite necessity in my books. Well done on another amazing product Infasecure!

  60. Avatar of Rebecca Eustance
    Rebecca Eustance Reply

    I love that it’s so compact and does an amazing job at keeping kids extra safe.

  61. Avatar of Sarahmary92
    Sarahmary92 Reply

    I love that it’s only manufactured in Australia. Supporting Australian made is so important to me.

  62. Avatar of catherine helbig
    catherine helbig Reply

    When my son travels with my mum he has his young aunty and uncle in the back and they quite often accidentally undo the carseat belt but not always realise or tell anyone so this will stop that from happening and we will always know he is safe. We always double check when we put him in his seat anyway but will b great peace of mind

  63. Avatar of blackwidow63
    blackwidow63 Reply

    by giving my kids plenty to do in their car seat , they never want to squirm out of it

  64. Avatar of Kylie Thomas
    Kylie Thomas Reply

    What is not to love, anything that make your kids safer is great.

  65. Avatar of 78DaysofSummer
    78DaysofSummer Reply

    simple, easy and a great safety device for all families.

  66. Avatar of Blossom

    Safety first is my motto. Invented and manufactured in South Australia ensures us it passes Australian Government Safety Standards. It will prevent one of many problems if there is an attempt to tamper with the seatbelts holding the baby carseat or booster seat firmly onto the vehicle seat.

  67. Avatar of Caroline Lissaman
    Caroline Lissaman Reply

    The extra strength and security in minor prangs and crashes.

  68. Avatar of Kate Marconi
    Kate Marconi Reply

    Love the extra safety and price! What a bargain for extra safety and peace of mind!!

  69. Avatar of Umi Ayyildiz Keskin
    Umi Ayyildiz Keskin Reply

    Bargain price to keep our little ones safe at all times

  70. Avatar of Anne-Marie Wingfield
    Anne-Marie Wingfield Reply

    Cheap and so so effective in getting a tight install of your carseat and you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out how to use Lockie.

  71. Avatar of Lorretta Watson
    Lorretta Watson Reply

    Absolutely an amazing invention, I would feel so much safer driving with my little ones in the car with this, if I’m not lucky to win one, I will definitely be purchasing them

  72. Avatar of Amanda

    I love that it is a simple, inexpensive way parents can keep their children that little bit safer.

  73. Avatar of Rachel K

    A small price to pay for such an important extra piece of safety for little ones!

  74. Avatar of Dean Pappas
    Dean Pappas Reply

    My aim is to save as many broken nails and bent fingers as possible. This looks like it’s my saving grace.

  75. Avatar of Xzavia Green
    Xzavia Green Reply

    Such peace of mind when those cheeky fingers just want to escape their car seat!

  76. Avatar of Sarah Tucker
    Sarah Tucker Reply

    WOW! Such an innovative idea! Need to get my hands on one of these for sure.

  77. Avatar of ChriS

    I love how easy it is to install (have had issues with other products) & that it is additional safety for my kids 🙂

  78. Avatar of Diana Angel
    Diana Angel Reply

    Love the easy installation and it’s a great innovation to keep kids safe!

  79. Avatar of Juanita Munro
    Juanita Munro Reply

    That extra sigh of relief for any mum knowing her child is just that tad bit more protected.

  80. Avatar of sars_angelchik
    sars_angelchik Reply

    I love anything that can keep my kids safe in the car and this looks so easy to use!

  81. Avatar of kathy clark
    kathy clark Reply

    perfect to use makes me wonder why its taken so long for someone to think of it

  82. Avatar of jayla1987

    This sounds perfect miss almost three is at that age she loves unclipping things

  83. Avatar of laureneve

    Great for my toddler who’s is a skinny mini and at the blink of an eye can get the straps off. Love to keep it tight and not have to worry.

  84. Avatar of Hayley Murrells
    Hayley Murrells Reply

    we have all infasecure seats in our cars- just need some Lockies to match!

  85. Avatar of Jemma

    Love how it will make reinstalling the car seat in different cars much easier to ensure the perfect install

  86. Avatar of Wendy Hatton
    Wendy Hatton Reply

    I’ve had trouble with a child who persistently manages to free his arms. I hope this device can manage to keep another like him properly restrained. Its very distracting when worry whether a little passenger is secure.

  87. Avatar of Belinda M

    I love how it shows what seatbelt NOT to undo, too many times I’ve had other people in my car and they’ve messed around with the seat belt attached to the car seat instead of undoing their own

  88. Avatar of Elisabeth Martins
    Elisabeth Martins Reply

    The peace of mind that knowing my child is safe in the back,
    not worrying if they will undo the seatbelt,
    safety is always the key.

  89. Avatar of Hayley Shaw
    Hayley Shaw Reply

    I could stop constant worry while driving ! what an amazing device!

  90. Avatar of Kellie T

    The fact idont have to tighten the seat belt every time i put little miss in her seat

  91. Avatar of Jem C

    Love that this simple safety item is tiny and portable, so we can keep bub that bit more secure not just in our car, but in other cars and on our travels too. And kudos to Miller for keeping them made in Australia!

  92. Avatar of Tracey Hall
    Tracey Hall Reply

    This is a very important piece for my safe keeping of my little princess and so easy to use. Great for fuddle minded people who do not need more things to worry about.

  93. Avatar of Cindy Nickels
    Cindy Nickels Reply

    I love Lockie because you can never keep your little one’s too safe.

  94. Avatar of Rachie Ziino
    Rachie Ziino Reply

    I love this because it makes for a perfect install every time and never gets loose!

  95. Avatar of Sara Johnston
    Sara Johnston Reply

    I love that Lockie has been developed with Infasecure and tackles an issue that I really do relate to and stress about! Just the other week I noticed my son’s seatbelt on his carseat so very slack and I assumed I did something wrong: but I tightened it as much as I could and it’s already looser! This would be fantastic peace of mind, and thank you for noticing and addressing such a huge hole in carseat safety!

  96. Avatar of Jemma Booth
    Jemma Booth Reply

    With 4 children in seats, the Lockie is exactly what we need for quick seat changed.

  97. Avatar of Christina

    Simple, easy to install & with in a reasonable budget to help keep the little ones even safer. With 6 littles to keep buckled up I LOVE IT!!

  98. Avatar of Laura Scriven
    Laura Scriven Reply

    It’s easy to install and still keeps the tension, so not to compromise safety!

  99. Avatar of Amanda Henderson
    Amanda Henderson Reply

    Such a great design. And perfect to not accidentally undo the wrong seatbelt!!

  100. Avatar of Tash Allan
    Tash Allan Reply

    I love that it makes my baby’s ride even safer than before. His safety is our highest priority

  101. Avatar of cheerie murnane
    cheerie murnane Reply

    The kids safety is my main concern, and being comfortable when in the car seat, the Lockie Retainer is another product I would love to try, and the price is good, no reason not to have one

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