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Be Safe, Buckle In: Child Passenger Safety Week is September 21 to 27

September 24, 2025 | By: Edward Zhakata, Manager, Consumer & Industry Relations - Atlantic Regional, IBC
Be Safe, Buckle In: Child Passenger Safety Week is September 21 to 27

Did you know? In Canada, car collisions are a leading cause of death and injury to children. Using the right car seat in the right way can reduce the risk of injury by up to 82% and the risk of death by up to 71%.1

Child Passenger Safety Week is your reminder to buckle up your child right – every ride, every time.

The week encourages Canadians to learn more about child car seat safety, including how to identify the appropriate type of seat for each age, install seats correctly and use the harnesses properly.

This year’s theme – Breaking Down Barriers to Buckling – focuses on providing multilingual resources, equipment grants, and education and support for families who face barriers to safely buckling their child in the right car seat.

Here are five essential tips from Child Safety Link to help you protect your little passengers:

  • Check your car seat. It must be approved for use in Canada, not subject to a recall or past its expiry date, and the correct size for your child’s height, weight and age.

  • Be cautious about using second-hand car seats. Only use one if you have all the parts and the original instructions, and you know its history (i.e., it was not involved in a collision or otherwise damaged).

  • Follow the correct installation and buckling guidelines. These can vary for forward- and rear-facing car seats.

  • Learn more about Transport Canada’s guidance on transporting children with special needs who may require an adaptive car bed, car seat, booster seat or vest.

  • Know your local laws. Laws that govern the use of car seats, booster seats and seatbelts can differ by province and territory.

Child Safety Link, based in Nova Scotia, is widely recognized as Canada’s leading authority on child car seat safety. Their expertise is trusted by national safety organizations and their commitment to evidence-based research has made them a leader in advancing child passenger safety across the country.

Their foresight in establishing a dedicated resource hub has proven invaluable – especially in recent years, as they’ve focused on supporting New Canadians through multilingual education and inclusive programming. Their work continues to break down barriers and ensure that every family, regardless of background, has access to life-saving information and support.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has proudly partnered with Child Safety Link for over 15 years, helping fund and expand critical initiatives such as:

  • The Right Seat resource, which guides parents in choosing the correct car seat

  • An Atlantic-wide car seat grant program to support families in need

  • A child passenger safety instructor hub to train and empower local educators.

Child Safety Link’s impact is both national and personal – helping families make informed choices and ensuring every child gets the safest ride possible.

Visit Child Safety Link’s website to explore resources, learn how to check your child’s car seat and share safety tips with others. For helpful videos, available in multiple languages, visit Child Safety Link’s YouTube channel.

For more, follow Child Safety Link on:

1 https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/car-seats/

About This Author

Edward (Eddy) Zhakata brings a wealth of experience to his role as Manager of Consumer and Industry Relations in Atlantic Canada, having worked in both broker and direct-to-consumer insurance positions. He uses those experiences to act as a bridge between consumers and the industry, providing information and support to the public while sharing emerging trends and issues with property and casualty insurance professionals.

Eddy is a Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker and Certified Risk Manager. He also earned an electronics engineering diploma from Holland College in Prince Edward Island.

Based in Halifax, Eddy enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter and is an active volunteer in local communities helping new Canadians settle and integrate. Eddy is committed to mentorship and passionate about recruiting new talent to the field, actively promoting the insurance industry as a rewarding career path.

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