May, 2000

SGI helping parents keep kids safe

If you’ve ever attempted to install a child restraint in your vehicle, you probably know that it’s not as simple as buckling a seat belt. In fact, while 88 per cent of adults in Saskatchewan are buckled up safely, the most recent SGI survey in 1999 shows that half of children age eight and under are not properly restrained in vehicles.

This is why SGI, independent insurance brokers and the Saskatchewan Safety Council have teamed up for the second year in a row to offer free child restraint education clinics across the province.

"Quite often, we find parents make a good effort to restrain their children. Unfortunately, the restraints are being used improperly," says Shannon Ell, SGI’s Supervisor of Traffic Safety Promotion. "Parents should feel confident that they’re doing everything they can to ensure their child’s safety. We want to give them that confidence with the education and peace of mind we provide through our clinics."

At the drive-through clinics, educators will go over each vehicle, the child restraint being used and the particular needs of each child in attendance. Educators will take into account the child’s age, weight and height when determining if the proper restraint is being used. They will then assess whether the child restraint is correctly installed and meets safety standards, and whether the child is safely secured in the restraint.

"Children who are properly restrained will be sent prizes. And because SGI believes one safe trip deserves another, each family attending a clinic will be eligible to enter a contest for a chance to win a $4,000 travel voucher," says Ell.

Patti Martens of Saskatoon wanted to ensure that her three children were travelling safely. Her concern for her children’s safety brought her to a child restraint clinic last June, and as a result, she entered the contest and won last year’s $4,000 travel voucher.

"I’m glad I went to the clinic because I found out that while I was using a restraint for each of my children, I wasn’t using them correctly. I followed the instructions that came with the restraints, but I still had the tether straps done incorrectly," says Martens. "The educators saw this and we worked together to correct the problem."

She adds: "Winning the contest was great, but I feel better just knowing that my children are travelling safely."

New records for attendance at child restraint clinics were set in 1999. There were clinics held in 73 Saskatchewan communities, with more than three times the number of clinics held in 1998. In total, 91 clinics were held across the province, where 2,718 car seats were checked. In 1998, 29 clinics were held, with just over 1,700 car seats checked.

"These numbers show us that the number of parents taking an active role to ensure their child’s safety is increasing. Hopefully, we’ll see even more parents out at the clinics this year," says Ell.

For parents who aren’t able to attend a clinic, there are a number of SGI CANADA brokers throughout the province who are trained in the proper installment of child restraints and are willing to answer questions about installation.

The clinics begin May 6. For information on the location and time of clinics, or to find out if there is a broker in your area who can check your child restraint, call Shannon Ell at (306) 775-6179.

For more information, contact:
Shannon Ell
Supervisor, Traffic Safety Promotion
SGI Communications
Regina
Phone: (306) 775-6179

Back to News Releases