According to statistics, more Canadian children die as motor vehicle passengers than from any other cause of injury. That statistic is one of the reasons Johanna Rzepa is promoting car seat safety in her role as Injury Prevention Co-ordinator on the Sunshine Coast.
Each year approximately 80 children are killed and more than 11,000 are injured in traffic collisions across Canada, many as a result of improperly secured car seats or an absence of them altogether.
Recently Rzepa set up a booth at the Duck Pluck in Gibsons giving out car seat safety information and offering a draw for a baby car seat and a booster seat.
But Rzepa said it was hard to find proper car seats on the Coast.
"I looked all over and even had to go into town at first. But then I partnered with Canadian Tire and they ordered some in for me," she said, noting Canadian Tire donated one car seat for her to give away.
She says Canadian Tire is the best place to buy car seats on the Coast and notes people who are looking for one should call ahead and make sure the store has what they're looking for in stock.
"If not, they can order it in, like they did for me," Rzepa said.
Some important things to look for when searching for a baby seat or booster seat include the weight and size limitations, which are usually printed on the seat itself, the condition of the seat (none of the parts should be cracked, torn, rusted, discolored or missing) and a snug fit across the child's chest. No more than one finger's width should fit between the harness and the child's collar bone.
It's best to buy a new seat if possible so that all the installation information is there. If a new seat is not an option, you can ask for the installation instructions or call the manufacturer for a new set of instructions.
Rzepa will be setting up another information booth and having another draw for car seats at the upcoming Kindergarten Fair in the fall and invites anyone with questions to stop by and enter the draw.
