Driving Safely With Children
Car seats for children are extremely important. I know this is cliché, but people do not realize how important.
My sister-in-law was involved in a minor collision recently and the first thing she said was, thank goodness for the child restraints. The seats held her children so tightly they barely moved.
Proper Car Seat Installation Matters in Preventing Injuries
We all put in child seats but it is important to install them safely and properly. Ideally, get them professionally installed. Most places you buy them provide this service for an added fee. Alternatively look for campaigns on specific days by local fire and police services that will help you install your car seats free of charge. Transport Canada and the Ontario Safety League work consistently to bring awareness to proper car seat installation and put on special safety drives to provide this service as well.
It’s also important issue to know car seats and boosters have an expiration date. With my second child, I figured I would use all the equipment from my first. However, you have to make sure the equipment is still current and working. Check the expiry if you are reusing or buying used car seats or boosters. If there is no expiry date or they are missing parts, do not buy them. It is not worth the discount. You are gambling with your child’s life. The expiration date is important because over time the plastic weakens or safety standards change and so on.
There are many reasons. If you are unsure about your seat, call Transport Canada or the Ontario Safety League to find out where your car seat can be properly fitted. With kids, it’s always better safe than sorry.