**** RCMP Media Release
Ensure the safety of our youngest travelers: Child Passenger Safety Week
In support of Child Passenger Safety Week (September 18-22), Nova Scotia RCMP, in partnership with IWK Child Safety Link, are urging motorists to ensure the safety of our youngest travelers on the road.
“Motor vehicle collisions are still the leading cause of injury-related deaths for children in Canada. Choosing the right car seat for your child can be confusing, but a lot of good information is available through programs like Child Safety Link, and motorists are responsible for the safety of their passengers – it has to be done right.” says S/Sgt Ben Parry, RCMP Traffic Services.
Infants (rear-facing only) seats:
A rear-facing seat gives the best protection for your baby or child’s head, neck, and spine in a sudden stop or crash. Check the labels on your seat to find out when your baby will reach the seat’s height or weight limits. Once your baby has outgrown the infant seat (usually between 6 and 12 months), use a larger, rear-facing seat.
Rear-facing car seats:
Your child is safest riding rear-facing until two-, three-, or even four-years-old. Keep your child rear facing as long as they still fit within the height and weight limits for their larger, rear-facing seat.
Forward-facing car seats:
A forward-facing seat uses a five-point harness to spread the force of a sudden stop or crash over the strongest parts of your child’s body. Keep your child in a five-point harness until they weigh at least 18kg (40 pounds).
“When you use the right car seat in the right way, you can reduce the risk that a baby or child will be hurt or killed in a collision by up to 70%,” says Katherine Hutka, Health Promotion Specialist for IWK’s Child Safety Link. “Always check your vehicle manual and follow the instructions for your seat.”
For more information on how to install your car seat and safely buckling your child, visit: https://childsafetylink.ca/car-seat-safety
