Melody Kent knows the anxiety new parents undergo when it comes to child car seat installation.
Recalling her own safety-related ordeal with her now 18-month-old son, the Milton mom admits car seat manuals “can be overwhelming” and understands how that can leave moms and dads “very hesitant” on how to proceed.
The good news, she said, is they don’t have to do it alone.
Now a certified child passenger safety technician with the Canadian Passenger Safety Association of Canada -- with roughly 80 inspections under her belt -- Kent is set to hold an education and installation clinic this coming Saturday (May 4) in the Southview Dental parking lot (350 Main St. E.).
With spaces still available for the 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. event, clients will be taken through a comprehensive checklist of child car seat safety dos and don’ts.
Along with proper installation, Kent will advise parents if their seat is suitable for the age and weight of their child, as well as if there’s been a recall on the make and model in question.
“I encourage parents who’ve purchased a seat to attempt to install it themselves, just to feel comfortable with all the parts, but a lot of clients try that and know it’s not right,” said Kent, pointing to statistics that show while virtually all children (99 per cent) are found to be buckled up, 73 per cent of seats are used or installed incorrectly. “There’s a lot of little nuances that can increase your child’s safety.”
The cost of the upcoming session, which runs roughly 45 minutes, is $50 per seat or $85 for two seats.
Register here to book a time.