Porcupine Health Unit to Host Car Seat Safety Blitz on May 2nd

**PORCUPINE HEALTH UNIT NEWS RELEASE**

The Porcupine Health Unit is hosting a drop-in “Car Seat Safety Blitz” on Thursday, May 2nd, 2019 from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board Ambulance Bay, 500 Algonquin Blvd East, Timmins.

According to the Canadian Pediatric Society, motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of injury and death of children. Most crashes occur close to home, on local roads, during daytime hours, on routes familiar to the driver and within areas with relatively low speed limits. Using a car seat can save your child’s life but making sure your car seat is installed correctly provides even more protection.

“Most parents and caregivers can correctly install their car seat by carefully reading the car seat manual and the vehicle manual, but because of the differences in car seats and vehicles, parents may need extra help,” says Chani Delorme, Public Health Nurse at the Porcupine Health Unit. “The car seat technicians working at the “Car Seat Blitz” are certified through the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada and have the knowledge and experience to help.”

During the “Car Seat Blitz” held last May in Timmins, 34 seats were inspected. Just under 80% of seats inspected had at least one installation error. The most common error was the seat not being secured tightly into the vehicle.

“This blitz allows parents and caregivers to drop in for a car seat check without having to book an appointment,” says Delorme. If parents and caregivers are unable to attend the scheduled blitz, they can call the Porcupine Health Unit for information about car seat safety and to schedule an appointment during regular car seat inspection clinics.

The Porcupine Health Unit is located in Northeastern Ontario, serving the entire Cochrane District and Hornepayne, in Algoma District. The main office is located in Timmins, Ontario, with branch offices in Cochrane, Hearst, Hornepayne, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Matheson, Moosonee and Smooth Rock Falls.