by Janice Henshaw –
Is the used car seat at the garage sale a good bargain? Or do I really need to go out and buy new car seats (infant, child and booster)? And gulp, once I have them, how do I use them? Is it as simple as just strapping the seats in with a seat belt, and going on our way?
According to the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS) motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of injury-related deaths in Canada. They estimate that 68 children age 14 years and under are killed and another 880 seriously injured each year.
Do car seats make a difference?
Yes! The CPS reports that “when car seats are used correctly, they reduce the risk of death by 71% for infants and 54% for children one to four years of age. And they reduce the risk of hospitalization in children age four and under by 67%. Booster seats provide 59% more protection for young children than seat belts alone.
Are we doing everything we can to use the safety technology of car seats?
The answer appears to be “no:” The CPS estimates that “anywhere from 44% to 81% of car seats are not used correctly and that nearly three-quarters of Canadian children four to nine years of age are not transported in booster seats.”
For those of us who would like information on car seats, where do we go for assistance?
The British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) offers a free child passenger safety program that provides information and training on how to buy and install a car seat, how long they last, car seat recall notices and car seat clinics and workshops. “It’s important to never use a car seat that has expired as materials in the seat can break down. BCAA recommends a new car seat as the safest option,” says Shawn Pettipas, community manager at BCAA. In partnership with United Way of the Lower Mainland, they have donated over 7,000 new child car seats to non-profit agencies and community groups. You can call the BCAA Car Seat info line toll-free at 1-877-247-5551.
Another helpful resource is The Vancouver Island Car Seat Technicians website (www.vicarseattechs.com) where you will find “Everything you never thought to ask about child passenger safety” from their Child Passenger Safety Technicians. Easy-to-find answers include: “Our favourite seats”, “Top 10 booster seat tips”, and “When can a child sit in the front seat?”
Can we step in and make a difference?
We can help raise awareness by sharing websites that provide up-to-date information on why and how to use car and booster seats.
We can ensure that our little ones are always in car/booster seats, even for short trips. Perhaps we can offer to fundraise, or assist with the purchase of new car and booster seats for someone who can’t afford them.
When you do get to click in your small wriggling passengers, here’s something fun to say: “Click clack, front and back.”
And remember: “A friend is like a seat belt; you may not always need them, but they will be there just in case.”
Resources: www.bcaa.com, www.cps.ca.
