Everyone knows that children need to sit in special car seats or boosters, but not all people realize that the proper installation is as important. The Estevan Fire Rescue Service’s building was the site of a car seat safety clinic Oct. 1 to help parents and guardians ensure their kids’ safety.
“People can come and get their car seats looked at, get their questions answered. Make sure they are installed correctly, are a right size for a child and are used properly in the car. That’s what we do free of charge in communities across the province,” said Travis Holeha, who is the child traffic safety co-ordinator for the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute.
Due to COVID-19 related safety measures, the clinics now are by appointment only. Other precautionary measures are in place as well to ensure public's safety.
The research data suggests that when it comes to child car seats, misuse rates are between 80 and 90 per cent, which means that there is at least one thing that could be improved.
“Through my personal experience I can say it’s that or even more,” said Holeha. “Everyone can use help.”
He went on to explain that the variety of car seats and vehicles on the market is almost endless. Children are different as well, so sometimes choosing the proper seat and then installing it correctly can be a real challenge. It may be done easier with help of a technician, and having it done properly is definitely worth it.
“If you are using your car seat correctly with your child in the appropriate one, the chances of saving their life in the collision is very good and reducing the risk of injury is very high.”
On a regular year, the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute does over 150 clinics a year. Besides, people can come to trained and certified specialists and have child car seats checked at any time. However, Holeha believes that the service they offer is “completely underutilized.”
“We would like to see more people doing this. Just like a lot of other things that people think that they are doing it correctly, but when they actually come to a technician they often find that there is some stuff that they can improve on it.”
