Child Restraint Initiative Wins Award

We are pleased to announce that the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy has chosen Buckle Up Bears as one of five Imagine "New Spirit of Community" winners for 2000. The program was featured in the December 15 issue of The Globe and Mail.

Buckle Up Bears combines the safety expertise and distribution networks of the Canada Safety Council, the guidance and training of the Infant and Toddler Association and the financial and human resources of The Co-operators. It helps care-givers make children as safe as possible when riding in the family vehicle. In the long term, it aims to increase the proper use of vehicle child restraints.

The program offers practical, hands-on assistance at car seat inspection clinics which involve many local partners, including public health, police, fire officials and community volunteers. Only 12 per cent of the car seats checked were correctly installed and used. That means 88 per cent of participants were helped at the clinics — and shows the urgent need for the program. During 2000, 54 clinics were held in 12 communities across Canada.

In addition, Buckle Up Bears has reached millions of Canadians through media news stories, and has distributed 400,000 growth charts with information on the types of child restraints and how to use them.

The success of this program is an outstanding example of how corporate Canada can make a difference. The Canada Safety Council is proud to be a partner in Buckle Up Bears, and congratulates The Co-operators for its leadership and commitment to a very important child safety issue.

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Safety Canada
January 2001

Buckle up Bears Car
Seat Program