S.E.A.T.S for Kids works to promote car safety in area
Posted Feb 4, 2010 By Sheena Bolton
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Tweet ThisEMC News While car seats are one of the key devices for helping to protect your child, many parents have their car seats improperly installed, says one local organization.
S.E.A.T.S. for Kids, a volunteer organization dedicated to parent and caregiver education on car seats, is looking for volunteers who want to become certified child restraint technicians and run car seat clinics in Lanark County. S.E.A.T.S, which stands for Safety, Education, Advocacy, Training and Support, currently has 18 car seat inspection clinics planned in Ottawa for 2010. Each clinic can accommodate 80 people.
"We are looking for volunteers to commit to at least three clinics a year, but anyone with interest in child safety is welcome as we are desperate for volunteers and provide a service no one else provides," said Deanna Lindsay, executive director of the organization.
Working with approximately 100 families each month, she said many participants return multiple times for new information as their child grows and their car seat needs change.
To volunteer with S.E.A.T.S. for Kids individuals must be nationally certified and for those people interested in becoming certified the next training clinic in Lanark County will be held Feb. 25 and 26 in Perth. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the national certification course will be offered at the Perth Police/Fire Hall. See registration information below.
"Some people take the course because they want to know how to do their own (car seat) and that's fine because they will share that knowledge with their friends and family, some people take the course to do their job better, like public health nurses and OPP officers, and others take the course because they care about child safety," Lindsay explained.
To be certified, a two-day intensive training course must be completed, with a written and practical test at the end of the course. The certification lasts for three years.
Lindsay explained that she's met many people who do not think it is necessary to know how to properly install child car seats. She pointed out, however, that it is illegal in Ontario to have a car seat installed incorrectly and fines can be laid against individuals for this offence.
"People say 'It's just a car seat,'" she said. "There are over 300 types of seat belts and you have to know how to install it properly ... we only teach the 15 types most often seen."
Lindsay added that the courses are important for parents because proper knowledge of how to use and install a car seat is typically a last thought and not adequately researched when a child is expected.
"I'm a mom and when I was pregnant I researched everything, except car seats and I don't know why, maybe it's because it's not in the house," said Lindsay. "Your car seat and crib are the only two places you leave baby unattended, so you want them to be safe.
"Children are valuable and can't be replaced," she added. "When driving around I see many children not properly restrained and I know the importance."
Lindsay started S.E.A.T.S for Kids three years ago, after she was trained in Ottawa five years ago.
"As an organization, we are still looking and asking for sponsors, locations, donations," she said. "The first year we did nine clinics and last year we did 19 car seat clinics, seven to eight roadside stops and many courses and seminars."
S.E.A.T.S for Kids has expanded to Smiths Falls, Kingston and Picton. The training course costs $50 and people can register online at the S.E.A.T.S for Kids site, www.seatsforkidscanada.com.
Additional information is available by e-mailing Lindsay at seats_coalition@hotmail.com.
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