The leading cause of death of children in Canada is motor-vehicle collisions.
Misuse or non-use of car seats is the biggest contributor to those injuries or deaths. A recent Ontario demonstration with 62 clients showed only seven per cent of the car seats were properly installed.
Jessica Joyner, founder of Barrie Busy Mama group, says those injuries are completely preventable.
"I saw a real need in Barrie for more awareness and for proper instruction on how to install a car seat, so this summer I took a three-day course and became a certified car-seat technician," she tells Village Media.
One of the problems, according to Joyner, is the number of car seats on the market and the numerous options.
"The biggest problem is that it may not be properly secured," she said. "You shouldn't be able to move it more than one inch side to side, and the harness has to be very secure.
"A big no-no is putting a child in a snowsuit in a car seat, because it leaves too much slack," Joyner added. "They could easily fly out.
"Installations also vary car to car. Unless you read your owner's manual cover to cover, you wouldn't know that."
The average Canadian regulation is to have a rear-facing unit for children up to one year of age. Some can go up to three years, but there are some on the market that transform and can go from infant to toddler booster seat.
Joyner wants to share the information she learned in her course and empower others to feel confident they have protected their children.
She will come to a client's home and provide hands-on instruction, having the parent watch and then do the installation. The cost is $50.
She also plans to offer instructional workshops about every couple of months starting in November.
For more information, visit www.barriebusymama.com.
