Seated Safely

Please don’t think it can’t happen to you. Take steps to protect the children in your care this summer.

Every year when the weather heats up we hear about children who have tragically died after being left in a hot car. These tragic events are preventable. However, I want to urge you to not fall into the trap of thinking you could never make this devastating mistake.

Loving parents and caregivers have made mistakes that have led to tragic consequences. For whatever reason, they have become distracted or have forgotten a child due to a routine change. Leaving a child in a car has happened to a parent going into auto-pilot and forgetting to complete daycare drop off before going in to work. It’s also happened to a caregiver who doesn’t usually have the child, running errands and going back into a home not remembering they are there.

We need to be aware of the risk in order to take steps to avoid tragedy. Below are some simple steps to take to help reduce the possibility of this happening to you.

1) Put something you need like a wallet or phone in the back seat of the vehicle. We all know a phone is not more important than a child. Remove judgment from this suggestion and focus on harm prevention, it could save a life.

2) Choose a car seat with a safety sensor. Some car seats have features that will remind you to check the back seat as a child is still present. This technology also alerts you of other safety concerns such as an unbuckled harness.

3) Check in with a secondary caregiver or family member during routine changes. Work together as a team to ensure your child’s safety. Let’s not let any child fall through the cracks.

Talking about these sort of events is uncomfortable. Many people judge a parent who has experienced this tragedy. I want you to know that this can happen to even the very best and most safety-oriented caregivers who love their children. Let’s put children first, recognize the risk, and take steps to prevent this tragedy from happening.

Thank you to all the parents and caregivers who booked a car seat check over the last year! I genuinely love sharing education on car seat safety and helping others not make the same car seat mistakes I did!

Need some support with your car seat and are located in Durham Region? I’m here to help!

Springtime signals cleaning time for many. While you’re at it, take some time to care for your car seats too!

Spring is a great time to double check that everything is as it should be with your seat. If your child has grown, you’ll want to check that their harness straps are in the correct position, that the level line is correct, and evaluate if it’s time to remove any infant or toddler padding that came with the seat.

When cleaning, always be gentle with your seat. If you feed your child in their seat, you’ll want to be sure to gently remove debris and food bits as this can be a hazard if it gets stuck in the buckle.

You also don’t want to soak the harness straps or hose down the seat! Be sure to refer to the car seat manual or manufacturer for guidelines on cleaning the seats fabric and she’ll.

This checklist covers just a few tips to help you make the most of spring cleaning. As alway, your car seat manual is your best guide to knowing how to properly clean you seat.

Find it hard to remember to check up on your seat? Consider setting a monthly reminder during baby’s first year when they are growing rapidly and always give it a double check when an older child has gone through a growth spurt!

CPSTs’ can help with your car seat questions! Find a technician near your by visiting CPSAC’s website. https://www.cpsac.org/find-a-tech/

The issue:
The Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada is aware of the alarming trend of unsafe, counterfeit seats becoming increasingly accessible to Canadian caregivers. There are a variety of unregulated, dangerous products available online on popular platforms, including online marketplaces and 3rd party sections of trusted Canadian retailers, as well as discounted direct-ship sites that are relatively new and growing in popularity. There is concern that caregivers that purchase these products are unaware that they do not meet Canadian safety standards and that their child will be at risk in a collision.

In recent years, products marketed as car seats were more easily distinguishable as unsafe, and Transport Canada issued a notice warning against their use4 as recently as November 2022; however, newer counterfeit models closely resemble regulated Canadian car seats and are harder for families to identify as fake.

Caregivers and consumer action:
If a caregiver owns a counterfeit car seat or booster seat, we urge them to stop using it immediately.

The use of a product masquerading as a car seat or booster seat to transport a child in a vehicle would violate provincial and territorial highway laws and, most importantly, threaten the child’s life and safety in a crash.

Until this issue has been addressed, caregivers shopping for a new car seat or booster seat online should take care to purchase only from the Canadian storefront of reputable, trusted retailers. Inspect new car seats and booster seats purchased online to ensure there is a National Safety Mark (NSM) present — a round sticker with a maple leaf — and report unsafe products to Health Canada via their online Consumer Incident Reporting Form.

For more information: https://bit.ly/447iiEI

Seated Safely is proud to be a member of Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada!

: Share your support and have your say!

We would like to hear from members who use their CPST skills in their work in community organizations, whether this work is in-person or online. We would like to recognize your work by listing your organization’s name in future editions of this manual.

To have your community organization or group name listed in the next edition, in time for the spring training season, please check the most recent CPSAC newsletter for instructions. Submissions are due by March 10.

Thank you to the following organizations for already telling us about the work they do! Safe Community Wood Buffalo, Car Seat Techs of Alberta, Love Me Do Baby & Maternity, TSEP - Ville de Québec et les environs, Les petits passagers, Maggie's Place Family Resource Centre - Colchester, SaskSeats - Child Passenger Safety Seated Safely Child Passenger Safety Niagara Child Safety Link: Children's Injury Prevention in the Maritimes Pictou County Babies to Boosters Vancouver Island Car Seat Technicians - CPSTs

Seated Safely is proud to be a member of the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada!

: Share your support and have your say!

We would like to hear from members who use their CPST skills in their work in community organizations, whether this work is in-person or online. We would like to recognize your work by listing your organization’s name in future editions of this manual.

To have your community organization or group name listed in the next edition, in time for the spring training season, please check the most recent CPSAC newsletter for instructions. Submissions are due by March 10.

Thank you to the following organizations for already telling us about the work they do! Safe Community Wood Buffalo, Car Seat Techs of Alberta, Love Me Do Baby & Maternity, TSEP - Ville de Québec et les environs, Les petits passagers, Maggie's Place Family Resource Centre - Colchester, SaskSeats - Child Passenger Safety Seated Safely Child Passenger Safety Niagara Child Safety Link: Children's Injury Prevention in the Maritimes Pictou County Babies to Boosters Vancouver Island Car Seat Technicians - CPSTs

Have you ever heard that not all car seats work well in all vehicles? As a car seat tech, I am often asked by parents and caregivers about car seat recommendations. Though there are many seats that techs consider to be "recommended," it is true that not all seats work well for all vehicles or for all children.

Last year, our family purchased a new vehicle. When we went to install our car seat in the vehicle, it soon became apparent that the seat we owned would not work. In our situation, the shape of the vehicle prevented the full extension of the headrest. This meant that the seat could not be used safely for our front-facing child as the harness straps could not be above their shoulders. Thankfully, we had another seat that would work, but this scenario demonstrates how sometimes a seat that worked in one vehicle won't always work in another.

As a general rule, the best car seat for you is one that can be installed and used in your vehicle correctly, fits your child properly, and is within your personal budget. Choosing a seat that someone you know likes doesn't mean it will be right for you. There is much to be considered when shopping for a seat, and knowing why car seats could be incompatible is important.

Consider asking a car seat tech for support with choosing a car seat. Doing so can possibly help you save money and have a more enjoyable car seat experience!

Find a tech near you here: https://www.cpsac.org/find-a-tech/

Recall on Diono car seats!

Be sure to register your car seats so that you are notified in the event of a recall.

Recall Details - Canada.ca A quick and easy way to search for passenger vehicle and light truck recalls. Just provide the make, model, and year of the vehicle and you’ll get information straight from the Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

Are your car seats crusty, sticky, or full of crumbs? It happens. Learn about how to properly clean a car seat by checking out our newest blog post!

How to Clean a Car Seat, Common Mistakes, and How You Can Protect Your Seats - Seated Safely If one thing is true about car seats, it’s that they get really gross, really quickly. From newborn spit-up to big-kid snacks, ick and dirt can get into your car seats, making them look gross, smell gross, and possibly even impact their integrity too. But knowing how to clean a car seat isn’t as...

Happy Holidays!

Stay safe this holiday season by ensuring your children are properly secured in their car seat.

Bulky clothing such as sweaters and snowsuits can prevent you from adequately securing your child in their seat. Skip the snowsuit and heavy jackets in favour of thin fleece onesies or sweaters, car seat safe jackets, and utilize blankets after securing your children to keep them cozy!

Have questions about what is safe to wear in a car set? CPSTs’ can help! Don’t make this preventable car seat mistake this season.

This is NOT a child car seat. Be careful when buying car seats online! The product pictured below is not a child car seat. Third-party vendors sell this product online, via different e-commerce platforms. This product should never be used in a vehicle to restrain an infant or child.
https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/defects-recalls-vehicles-tires-child-car-seats/be-careful-when-buying-car-seats-online

Remember: When shopping for a car seat, please make sure that you’re buying a seat that’s certified to Canadian standards and carries the National Safety Mark. Learn more here: https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/child-car-seat-safety/choosing-child-car-seat-booster-seat

I can’t count how many times I’ve heard a caregiver say that their toddlers long legs made them nervous. They report concerns of leg injuries or discomfort from their children. So, they turn their young children (sometimes as young as 1 year old) front facing. The decision comes from a good place. They want their child to be both comfortable and safe. However, long legs really aren’t a concern when it comes to car seats.

Rear facing is safer. If your child is still able to be rear facing I would urge you to consider keeping them that way. There’s no rush to move a child to a front facing seat!

The picture above is of my 5 year old, front facing child. Notice he’s crossed his legs? Many children sit like this when rear facing too! Here he’s finding it more comfortable to not have his legs hang down! Kids always find a way to get comfortable.

I will always recommend keeping your children rear facing as long as possible. You are able to keep a child rear facing until they meet the limits of their seat. For many children this can usually be until around the age of 4!

I know your decision to move a young child front facing always comes from a good place. If you moved your child front facing early, know you can always still move them back! It’s also ok to do what’s right for your family too. Knowing best practices can help you make an informed decision about when to make the switch for your child.

If you have concerns about how your child is fitting in their seat, reach out to a CPST! All over Canada CPSTs’ are dedicated to helping you keep your children as safe as possible in their seat.

One last post for CPS Week!

This is my “tech kit” that I bring with me to clinics, mommy and baby groups, and private checks! Beyond check sheets, I have caregiver resources from CPSAC, tools, tech resources (like expiry cheat sheets), and so much more to help session be both informative and successful!

The doll buckled into my demo car seat is one of my favourite things to share with expecting parents. It is a good idea to try buckling a “baby” into your seat before you bring your baby home! It’s something I wish I had thought to do.

Can you see anything in here that looks surprising? The pool noodle is an interesting one. Sometimes a pool noodle is needed to get an optimal recline on an infant car seat. Did you have to use one? I now know I should have for all three of my kiddos when they were in a bucket seat! Check your manual to see if this is something that is allowed for your seat!

It doesn’t take much “stuff” to be a CPST. Just lots of learning, practice, and heart. If you’ve ever considered becoming a tech, go for it! Helping caregivers keep children of all ages safe in their car seat is SO worth it!

Isn’t it about time I put a face to Seated Safely?!

Hi 👋 I’m Katherine! I am a mother of three young children (ages 1, 3 & 4) and one of the many CPSTs’ working to help parents and caregivers keep their children safe in their vehicles.

Being a CPST is a passion for me. Outside of my work as a CPST I’m a full-time writer and digital marketing professional. But my favourite job is helping those in my community feel great about their children’s car seat safety.

I became interested in being a CPST through my personal experiences with securing my own children in their car seats. As a new parent, I thought I did everything just fine. Though looking back, I made many car seat mistakes. I want to help you avoid unnecessary car seat errors!

Starting with having no clue how to properly put my baby in their bucket seat when leaving the hospital to realizing I’d installed my seats incorrectly for MONTHS. I want to help you feel empowered and knowledgeable about car seat safety.

I’m a good parent, and so are you! We all make mistakes, though I know car seat errors are preventable! Don’t leave this up to chance. If you’ve booked a prenatal class, infant first aid & CPR course, or other parental education class, considering reaching out to a CPST too!

makes it easy to find a tech near you!

As it’s Child Passenger Safety Week, I’d like to urge you to attend a virtual session, reach out to a tech directly or pass along this information to a parent or caregiver to-be!

Child passenger safety is a team effort and CPST’s are part of your village!

It’s Child Passenger Safety Week!

Connecting with a CPST is just one of the many ways you can be sure that your children are as safe as possible while in your vehicle. But your first step is always reading your car seat and vehicle manual!

Last weekend I had the pleasure of helping a mom with making the switch to a front facing car seat. Her child was getting so close to reaching the limits of her reattach facing seat. Though she was a bit nervous about this huge transition, we worked together to have her feel confident about the install. One less thing to worry about is always a welcome feeling!

In this photo, I can be seen checking the vehicle manual to ensure that the front facing tether was secured appropriately based on the vehicle manufacturers directions. Did you know this was something you should check?!

If you haven’t already, check out your vehicle and car seat manual to make sure your front facing car seat is being used correctly. These little mistakes can be easy to make. A CPST can help you be sure you haven’t missed a thing!

It’s Child Passenger Safety Week!

Connecting with a CPST is just one of the many ways you can be sure that your children are as safe as possible while in your vehicle. But your first step is always reading your car seat and vehicle manual!

Last weekend I had the pleasure of helping a mom with making the switch to a front facing car seat. Her child was getting so close to reaching the limits of her rear facing seat. Though she was a bit nervous about this huge transition, we worked together to have her feel confident about the install. One less thing to worry about is always a welcome feeling!

In this photo, I can be seen checking the vehicle manual to ensure that the front facing tether was secured appropriately based on the vehicle manufacturers directions. Did you know this was something you should check?!

If you haven’t already, check out your vehicle and car seat manual to make sure your front facing car seat is being used correctly. These little mistakes can be easy to make. A CPST can help you be sure you haven’t missed a thing!

It’s time for a giveaway from Seated Safely!

As a CPST, I’m passionate about car seat safety. I hope to inspire you to keep your children as safe as possible in their seat through sharing of best practice information and providing one-on-one support.

To celebrate the launch of Seated Safely , I’m running a local-focused giveaway for parents and caregivers in Durham Region. Enter to win this incredible prize package including a NEW car seat with installation support.

Please note, winner must be a Durham Region resident as prizes will require pickup and participation within Durham Region.

Please send a HUGE thank you to for generously donating entry to one of their programs as part of this giveaway. Give them a follow on Instagram () and Facebook (Mommy Connections Durham) Sign up for their newsletter for updates on local programs here: http://www.mommyconnections.ca/durham

Prizes:

1. Graco Trigrow Snuglock car seat and installation consultation with Seated Safely

2. Gift Certificate for any one Mom and Baby, Mini Movers, or Travelling Tots class with Mommy Connections Durham

3. One pack of Geddy’s Mom Watch Your Mouth charging cord covers.

4. One UnbuckleMe car seat buckle release tool.

How to Enter:

1. Follow Seated Safely on Instagram or Facebook.

2. Tag friends. 1 tag = 1 entry.

3. Comment telling me if you’ve ever had a CPST help you with your car seat.

4. Bonus entry! Share this post and tag . Send a screenshot if your account is set to private.

Terms and Conditions:

Giveaway opens September 1st 2022 and closes September 15 at midnight.

Winner will be randomly drawn and announced September 16th at noon.

Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash value. Shipping is not available for any prize.

Winner must reside in Durham Region. CPST consultation and prize pickup takes place in Bowmanville.

Mommy Connections Durham gift certificate expires Summer 2023.

Instagram and Facebook are not associated with this giveaway.

I look forward to seeing you at this FREE event!

Registration now open for Sept 10th clinic!
Scan the QR code to register! Or click: https://forms.office.com/r/hTdfvccKn7

Your car seat is probably installed incorrectly. Yes, even if you think you’ve done it right! Though it may seem hard to believe, most car seats have either been installed incorrectly or are not being used properly. As a CPST, almost all the seats I’ve checked have had at least one issues. So, you might be the one whose gotten it right but personally, car seat safety is something I want to be confident about. Not something I assume is correct.

So, what causes an improper install? There are many possibilities. Sometimes a caregiver may have one simple issue with their install or more than one problem can be found.

A too loose install, over or under reclined seat, a seat installed through the wrong belt path, or even a seat installed using both the seatbelt and UAS system can all be a sign that the seat has been installed incorrectly. There are also other issues you’ll need to watch out for.

How can you know your seat is installed correctly? Your best resource is always your car seat manual paired with your vehicle manual. Read both, I promise it won’t be a long read. You can’t know how your seat should be installed without reading the manual, never skip this step.

Your manual will also provide important details that ensure you are using your seat correctly. Pay attention to UAS weight limits, when infant padding must be removed and also the limits of your seat. All of this can be found in the manual.

If your seat is installed incorrectly, take the necessary steps to resolve the issue but don’t be hard on yourself. There is so much to know when it comes to car seat safety. Be proud of yourself for seeking out the information and doing your best to keep your child safe!

Need help with your car seat installation or just want to be sure your seat it is safe? Connect with a CPST in your area. CPSTs’ are dedicated to helping you know how to use your seat correctly and would be more than happy to help you.

One of the most commonly asked questions I get from parents and caregivers is when to stop using their child's bucket (baby) seat. This is often followed by questions about when it is safest to turn their child forward facing in the car.

In my latest blog post, I break down need-to-know information that is useful to expecting, new, and experienced parents. Have questions about your seat or are not quite sure if your child is close to outgrowing their seat? Let's connect. I can't wait to help you feel great about your car seat setup.



https://seatedsafely.com/when-should-i-stop-using-my-babys-bucket-seat/

When Should I Stop Using My Baby’s Bucket Seat? - Seated Safely When you were an expecting parent or caregiver-to-be, you may have found the process of purchasing your infant’s bucket seat simple. Though there are many options to choose from in this category, they all seem to look the same, and you might have found yourself making the choice based on your stro...

Have you ever looked and your long legged baby or toddler sitting in their rear-facing car seat and thought, that can’t be comfortable? Maybe you’ve wondered wether or not having squished looking legs is safe and considered switching them for safety reasons?

As a CPST, one of my mostly commonly asked questions from parents and caregivers is, when should I move my child to a front-facing car seat?

There are many misconceptions about when the right time to move your child from rear-facing to front-front facing is. Spoiler alert, long legs aren’t it.

The best way to keep your child as safe as possible for as long as possible is to keep them rear facing until they’ve outgrown their seat.

They are outgrown when they reach either the weight or highly limit specified by their car seat manufacturer. For many children this can be somewhere between 3.5-5 years old, it’s a lot longer than you’d think.

Reasons to Stay Rear-Facing Longer

• It’s the safest option and protects a child’s spine in a collision.

• Long legs are not a problem. Leg injuries occur frequently in front facing seat positions.

• Toddlers don’t have still muscles like adults and will move their legs into a position they like. They are cozy.

• It can be more comfortable for children who still fall asleep in the car.

• Turning a child front front-facing won’t necessarily reduce motion sickness.

• Joke time? You can eat snacks and they won’t know!

There are many reasons why a family may choose to move a child to a front-facing seat before they’ve outgrown the seats rear-facing limit. As parents and caregivers, you are fully capable of making the best decision for your family. I always encourage parents to keep their children rear facing for as long as possible for their family.

If you are finding rear-facing to be a pain point, contact a CPST in your area. Sometimes there are things we can suggest to improve your child’s comfort such as adjusting the recline or possibly helping you find a more optimal seat.

Extended rear-facing is a fantastic goals to set for your family. Let a CPST help you make this happen.

Anyone who has driven for a long period of time with a child knows that boredom can set in quickly. This makes for a frustrating trip for everyone involved. Parents and caregivers have looked for unique ways to keep their children entertained on long trips and travel activity centres have become a top choice. However, these cool looking products are simply not safe for travel by car.

As a CPST, I urge caregivers to avoid aftermarket products such as travel trays. Not only can they interfere with the proper function of your car seat in a collision, they also introduce unnecessary risk through becoming a projectile.

Anything that is loose in your car such as groceries, water bottles, snow brushes, and toys will become a projectile in a collision. This means that you or your child could be struck by a loose object and sustain injuries, even at slower speeds.

So what can you do to keep the drive fun? There are many safe choices! Look for activities that involve soft objects (like a sticker book, plush toy, or pop-it’s) or have fun with object-free activities.

As a parent of three small children myself, we love signing along to our favourite songs, listening to audiobooks, and keeping an eye out for specific things on our car ride scavenger hunts (like farm animals, colourful cars, or even restaurants). You can adjust these activities to be age appropriate. Lean into what your kids love!

What safe activities do you do with your children in the car? Let’s work together to keep our kids as safe as possible in their seat while making lasting memories too!

Is third time the charm? A few weeks ago I shared a picture of my firstborn child in their car seat coming home from the hospital. I can guarantee they weren’t in it safely even though at the time I thought they were!

Three years after the birth of my first child, we welcomed our third! Here they are in their seat also coming home from the hospital. It might not be obvious at first glance, but here they are secured much more appropriately than my first child was, here’s why.

My car seat manufacturer allowed for the removal of shoulder and crotch buckle padding. This made it easier to see wether or not the harness was tight enough and also to help confirm the chest straps were coming from below the shoulders.

Because of this simple change I was able to get my baby more tightly secured. They look more comfortable and I also knew they were safe!

*** ALWAYS READ YOUR MANUAL ***

Removal of padding isn’t allowed for every seat. You need to read your manual to know when you can or cannot remove padding. In your manual you’ll also find all of the information you need to install and use your seat correctly.

Also note - the car seat cover seen in this picture is not approved for use in the car. Aftermarket products should generally be avoided. However, if you’re going to use a cover in the stroller, be sure to take it off before you get moving in your vehicle.

Almost all car seats are installed or used incorrectly. It’s hard to know the do’s and don’ts when you’ve never done something before. That’s where the support of a CPST can become helpful.

I strongly encourage all parents and caregivers to reach out to a local CPST before baby arrives. Just like preparing for solids with a CPR course or getting ready for labour with a birthing class, car seat education and an installation inspection can get you set up safely and feel confident bringing baby home!