Safe Cruisin’

Expecting the parenthood ride to be a little bumpy? It all starts with the car seat and your very first drive home from the hospital.

So buckle up for the long and winding road ahead with proper installation of that portable amusement centre/decomposing food mechanism/upright crib…the car seat. 

According to Transport Canada, every year about 10,000 children (from infants to 12 year-olds) are hurt or killed on the roads in Canada, which makes car seat safety serious business. These Toronto services give us peace of mind now…even if peace and quiet in the car is still years away.

Baby Car Seat Experts is a team of rigorously trained, St. John’s Ambulance-certified technicians that, for a fee, will come to your (car) door and provide an installation and/or thorough inspection service. We’re particularly excited about Baby Car Seat Experts’ Wash, Clean and Re-Install service. It’s the car seat version of wash, fluff, and fold…because after months (years?) of dropped food and other mishaps en-route (we just won’t go there), our car seats are close to becoming science experiments.

Belts are great at keeping pants up—not so great at securing a child’s car seat. Toronto Police Services (TPS) has seen everything when it comes to ‘properly’ installed car seats. The TPS offers free car seat inspections by appointment, year-round at various divisions throughout the city. We love a man or woman in uniform…especially when they’re serving and protecting our youngest.

Buying the car seat is much easier with the help of experts, too. Some retailers in the city offer free car seat installation with the purchase of a seat from their store. Moms To Be and More partners with Canadian Car Seat Installation Centre, who waives their installation fee with proof of purchase from the store. Other retailers throughout the city may offer the same benefit, so ask in the store if they have a reciprocal relationship with a reputable installer because, as we always tell our kids, a deal’s a deal.

When it comes to car seat safety and kids, we’d rather be secure than unsure.

For more help and guidelines on car seat safety, visit Transport Canada.

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