Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
Fort St. James RCMP in partnership with Nak’azdli Whut’en will be offering free workshops for those who would like to become Child Passenger Safety Educators (CPSE) or “child seat technicians.”
The two day BCAA training course will be offered free of charge and participants will receive comprehensive training in the use, fit and installation of all stages of child car seats and knowledge of B.C. laws is also included.
Successful completion of the course means that participants can go on to provide education in their respective communities, parents and caregivers.
According to B.C. law, children must be buckled up in a car seat that is made for their height, weight and age.
A child who is not in a car seat can be seriously injured or killed during a car crash or an abrupt stop even at low speeds, according to Poppy Hallam from the Fort St. James RCMP.
“Unfortunately, some parents and caregivers are not using the appropriate car seats, many not installed properly or they are not using car seats at all,” Hallam said.
“It must start with education.”
Once the CPSE’s receive their training, they can provide car seat clinics, group information sessions and hands-on workshops in the community.
“Our goal is to see 100 percent child car seat compliance in our communities and to see that children are transported around safely,” Hallam said.
Training is free and a minimum of 6-8 people are required for the two day course to go ahead. If there is enough interest, there will be two courses offered.
The tentative course dates are Oct. 3-4 and/or Oct. 5-6.
For more information, call Sgt. Poppy Hallam at: (250) 996-8269.