Families in Canmore and the surrounding Bow Valley area have an opportunity to ensure their children are safely secured in their vehicles during a free car seat safety clinic on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. The event will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Protective Services Building located at 1021 Railway Ave.
The clinic is designed for any parent or caregiver currently using or planning to use a car or booster seat. Certified Child Passenger Restraint Technicians will be on-site to provide hands-on assistance with the installation, proper use, and selection of child safety seats. While registration for specific time slots closed on April 17, organizers are welcoming drop-in participants as space allows.
The event is supported by the Town of Canmore Family Connection Centre, which provides ongoing support services for local families. This clinic aims to address high rates of improper installation, which research shows can significantly impact child safety. According to Alberta Health Services and Transport Canada, using a car seat correctly can reduce the risk of injury by up to 82 per cent and the risk of death by up to 71 per cent.
Across Canada, improper use of car seats is a significant concern, with reported misuse rates ranging from 44 per cent to 81 per cent, and booster seat misuse rates between 30 per cent and 50 per cent. Furthermore, CAA reports that in many cases involving severe crash injuries, children were not using the appropriate restraint for their size and age.
Under Alberta law, children under 40 lbs (18 kg) and under 6 years of age must be secured in an appropriate, correctly installed child safety seat. For more information on provincial safety standards and requirements, residents can visit Alberta.ca.
