It's all about safety.
Families in Innsifail and the surrounding areas were invited to a recent car seat clinic on at the old Innisfail Fire Hall.
Community peace officer Ryan Anderson and Len Wagner, regional traffic safety consultant for Central Alberta, were on hand to teach about car seat safety, important tips and proper installation. Families also had the opportunity to have their car seat inspected by Anderson and Wagner, both certified car seat safety technicians.
“We're providing some information to parents on how to transport their children safely in a vehicle,” said Wagner, noting the proper use of different child seats. “How it should be installed in the vehicle, how the child should be installed in the seat and things that they need to do to ensure that the child is safe.”
Families and parents in attendance at the March 31 clinci were given a PowerPoint presentation followed by a question-and-answer period and an inspection of car seats in their own vehicles.
Parents learned about the four stages of car seats. That included rear-facing car seats, front-facing car seats, booster seats and seatbelts.
Wagner pointed out a couple of important tips for parents to remember when buying and installing a car seat.
“The most important thing for someone looking to buy a car seat for their child is buy a seat that fits your budget, fits your vehicle and is one that you will use correctly each and every trip,” he said. “Safety is paramount.
“The second thing is make sure you read the manual for the child seat in connection with the manual for your vehicle,” Wagner added, noting they inspected both car seat installation as well as the fastening of children into them.
“Even though the seat is installed in the vehicle properly, if the child's not in it properly it's not going to do its job,” explained Wagner.
This year, Innisfail's Evergreen Parent Link Centre partnered with the town's municipal enforcement and bylaw department to provide the safety clinic.
“It's a great clinic,” said Tracy Davis-McMillan, the centre's coordinator. “It's really important to keep up to date (with manufacturer updates) to make sure your child is as safe as they can be in a vehicle.”
Sarah Lewis was one of several parents who attended the clinic on March 31.
“They've answered some questions that we've had through the years, even though we have three children and have been around car seats for a long time,” said Lewis.
“I think these car seat clinics are a great idea.”
Tracy Davis-McMillan
"It's really important to keep up to date (with manufacturer updates) to make sure your child is as safe as they can be in a vehicle."
