News Release                   For Immediate Release

October 20, 2003

Child Safety is A Concern: Campaign Kicks off with Car Seat Safety Check and Unsafe Product Round-Up Event

A free car seat safety check and unsafe child product round-up is being held to increase awareness among parents, grandparents and caregivers that they have the ability to prevent injuries to young children in their care.  Installation of car seat restraints may be checked and any broken or recalled nursery products, such as car seats, baby walkers, exersaucers, cribs and baby gates can be left for free disposal.  This event is scheduled for:              

                        Saturday, November 1^st

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Canadian Tire, Port Elgin Store

Bring the whole family!  This fun event includes:

·        Free draw for a high-back booster seat, donated by Canadian Tire, Port Elgin.

·        Free tether bolt installation-consultation, courtesy of Canadian Tire Service Centre. (Bring your tether bolt, straps and vehicle manual.)

·        Free gift certificates for first 10 people who drop off unsafe children’s product(s).

·        Police cruiser on display for the kids.

·        Food booth for charity.

Come and learn how to make your child’s world a little safer!  The Public Health Unit, Canadian Tire-Port Elgin, and the Saugeen Shores Police Services sponsor this event.

For further information call Public Health at 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456, or visit our web site at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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Attachment: Feature Article

For more information:

Sandy Rennick, Public Health Nurse

Injury Prevention Program, Grey Bruce Health Unit

376-9420 ext. 251

Your Child’s Safety Starts With You!

Little Sammy climbs out of his highchair while dad isn’t looking.  Susie slips off the change table while mom finds a diaper.  Jimmy whizzes past the stairs in a walker.  Imagine if infant children never had to experience a close call or injury from a dangerous nursery product or toy again.  Parents and caregivers can avoid tragedy by being aware of risks and removing dangerous products from use.

Children’s car seats are just one example of a product that if used properly save lives. Yet by last Christmas in Grey Bruce, 36 of 207 seats checked at car seat clinics, had been either subject to recall or recommended destroyed because of their age or involvement in a collision.  Other nursery products such as bath seats, change tables and exersaucers may give parents a sense of security, but children should not be left alone in these devices.  More than 5000 children in Canada, under age 5, are hurt while using such products.  That’s almost as many children under age 5 as there are in all of Grey and Bruce Counties!  

How can we keep children safe?

·Watch children while using products.  Use safety devices provided, like stroller straps.

·Use toys and items meant for your child’s age and development.

·Do not use baby walkers. They are the most dangerous!

·Check products for recalls, especially borrowed or hand-me-down products.

·Read and follow instructions or ask someone to help you understand them.

Now when shopping for a new or used children’s product in Grey and Bruce, parents will find information on using them safely.  Displays will be present in children’s departments of Sears in Owen Sound and Zellers in both Owen Sound and Hanover.  Second-hand and consignment stores will also have resources available to them. 

For easy access to recalls and information, log on to the section, “Childhood Injuries” on the Public Health web site. By getting informed and taking action you will protect your children from harm!  Have questions or need more information? Call Public Health at 376-9420 or

1-800-263-3456.