Vehicles Safer for Children in Nova Scotia

Children across the province will now be safer as passengers in vehicles. Nova Scotia Health Promotion Minister Rodney MacDonald announced today, June 22, an investment of $300,000 over four years in support of the IWK Child Safety Link program.

"We are proud to support Child Safety Link by making injury prevention a priority and buckling down to reduce the incidence and severity of injuries to children from motor vehicle crashes in Nova Scotia," said Mr. MacDonald. "Research shows that using a car seat correctly reduces the risk of injury by 70 per cent and the risk of death is reduced by 90 per cent."

With the funding provided by Nova Scotia Health Promotion, Child Safety Link will develop a Car Seat Safety Strategy. A new co-ordinator will be hired to implement the strategy, which will include research and evaluation to measure gaps and achievements. Child Safety Link will establish a network of car-seat organizations and technicians to conduct inspection clinics and increase awareness.

In an effort to make car seats more accessible to families, Child Safety Link will look into developing car and booster seat loaner-donor programs at the IWK Health Centre and participating hospitals across the province. To support these initiatives, educational materials will also be created.

"By reducing injuries, we can save lives and decrease health-care costs. It is encouraging to see the government of Nova Scotia taking steps to support programs, like the IWK Child Safety Link program, to protect our children who are our future," said Jane Mealey, vice-president of children's health at the IWK Health Centre.

At the IWK Health Centre emergency department, 60 per cent of children involved in motor vehicle collisions avoided injury because they were in a car seat.

Child Safety Link urges parents to choose a car seat that is appropriate for their child's height and weight and always follow the manufacturer's instructions that come with the car seat to ensure that it is installed correctly.

For more information about Child Safety Link, and car and booster seat safety, visit the website at www.childsafetylink.ca www.childsafetylink.ca