Learn how to safely install child car seats

By Chadd Cawson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

For those interested in learning how to safely strap in youngsters in car seats, the Akisqnuk Health Centre will be hosting their first free car seat clinic since before COVID began. This crucial seminar on safety will be held rain or shine in the Centre’s parking lot on April 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jennifer Hilder, early years worker, Ktunaxa Kinbasket Child & Family Services Society (KKCFSS), said this is the first car seat clinic she has hosted since starting in her position

“There are some common mistakes that parents, or caregivers make when installing child car seats. A clinic like this can identify and fix any such mistakes. Anyone who transports infants and children in their vehicle should attend this seminar.”

Jennifer Hilder, early years worker

almost one year ago.

“The goal would be to host one each spring and fall,” said Hilder. “There are some common mistakes that parents or caregivers make when installing child car seats. A clinic like this can identify and fix any such mistakes. Anyone who transports infants and children in their vehicle should attend this seminar. By law, drivers are required to make sure that all children under the age of 16 are protected appropriately.”

Akisqnuk Health Centre to host child car seat clinic

Hilder said the KKCFSS Early Years Team hosted a car seat clinic in October 2022 with their trainer but only a few were in attendance. Parents or caregivers interested in attending are asked to arrive with their vehicle and child car seat(s), to learn how to use it with the guidance of a child passenger safety (CPS) instructor. Participants are required to have both their vehicle and their car seat manual; these are required to complete a car seat check.

Hilder said the child passenger seat will be removed from the vehicle and the participants will reinstall the car seat into their vehicle with guidance.

“Rather than do it for you, we will assist you to do it properly yourself,” said Hilder. “Our focus is on educating the participants, this is really a learning opportunity.”

The Canadian Public Health Association states car seats for children reduce the risk of death in motor vehicle accidents by 71 per cent and reduce the reduce the risk of hospitalization for children ages four and under, by 67 per cent. Their studies show that booster seats provide 59 per cent more protection than seat belts alone.

“This clinic is important to keep children safe while being transported in your vehicle,” said Hilder. “When used correctly, child car seats and booster seats save lives. Our goal is to get accurate and appropriate information into the hands of parents, and caregivers. Ultimately, we would like those in attendance to increase their knowledge of child passenger safety and be confident that they are using the car seat they have, correctly with their vehicle.” plish two main goals: protect the Radium/Steamboat wildlife corridor and find a good location for dirt bikers/ ATV users and mountain bikers to create designated trails for their enjoyment,” Bayley said.

“It turns out that the CVRPI process did not result in a good outcome for the environment” she continued. The plan identifies a trail network area (and a managed trail density area) for motorized and mechanical users in the Steamboat region. Most of the area they recommended is in the core of the wildlife corridor near the Columbia Wetlands. In fact, 83 per cent of the identified trail area is in the wildlife corridor. Instead of locating away from the Columbia Wetlands, they persisted in identifying locations close to Radium for the designated trail areas. While they had some good suggestions to better manage recreation and camping, the current plan which they passed to the government and First Nations is more destructive of the environment than the current situation.

Bayley said four local groups rejected the plan: East Kootenay Wildlife Association, Wildsight, Windermere District Farmers Institute and Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners. “Our concerns were not addressed, and our letters of objection were not included in the final CVRPI plan that was sent to the government.”

Franz Feldman, who has been farming on the Steamboat Ranch Unit for decades, said there’s a place for recreational users and campers, but that area needs to be moved from where it’s happening now. “Why do they have to use our most important piece of land, that we have to have for our cattle? The same area is important for elk, with spring and fall grazing. Motorized vehicle use is destroying grazing land.”

She maintains, “The committee has worked hard to find a way forward with all interested parties- everyone agrees that the status quo (wild west) is not sustainable.”

Suzanne Bayley, president of Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners (CWSP) and emeritus professor of ecology, University of Alberta (U of A) noted in an email (CWSP) has been working for the last four years to identify high quality wildlife habitat and wildlife corridors. The south Steamboat area, just west of Radium Hot Springs is an extremely important wildlife corridor. It allows elk, grizzly bears and other animals an easy access to the Columbia Wetlands and back and forth from the Purcell’s to the Rockies.

“When the CVRPI started, CWSP wanted to participate to find a way to accom-

Rick Thompson lives west of Radium Hot Springs in the Steamboat area and his land is situated in one of the wildlife corridors. He said, “I support what the CVRPI is doing (but) science has to support any decisions made.” Thompson said he’s noted over the 25, 30 years he’s lived there, that wildlife traffic and wildlife itself, have diminished.

“Being a passionate recreational vehicle user or an avid weekend camper or a politician does not necessarily qualify you to make scientific decisions about the impacts of these activities on the sustainability of the environment, or the wildlife that inhabits it. We, as humans, have been entrusted with making the right decisions for the environment and the wildlife and we should not treat this trust lightly.

“It seems that decisions being made are elements that lean more toward economic benefits for Radium Hot Springs and recreational users” Thompson said. Drawing lines on a map as to what users go where should only be done by people with scientific knowledge in those areas.