Child Safety Link Educational resources
CSL has a variety of educational resources for families including videos, postcards, posters and fact sheets for all priority areas. Most print resources are available in both English and French and some are available in other languages All paper resources can be printed from our website www.childsafetylink.ca except for “postcards” and posters that are in custom formats.
You can place an order for free print resources at this link: https://resources.childsafetylink.ca/
(There is no cost to order for those in Atlantic Canada).
Consultations/Inquiries
Families and those who work with families (e.g., Social Workers, Police, Family Resource Centre staff, etc) with questions can call our toll-free number at 1-866-288-1388 or email childsafetylink@iwk.nshealth.ca
Community of Practice
The Link: Atlantic Canada’s Children’s Injury Prevention Community of Practice: An online community for professionals and like-minded individuals to share and discuss children and youth injury prevention issues. The community houses events, webinars, grant opportunities, promotional materials, and acts as a space for open dialogue, questions, networking, and collaboration. Please click here to register.
Child Passenger Safety
Specific tools include Networking opportunities such as a car seat support Facebook group and Newsletter, Tools specific to your role include tools for: Schools, Law Enforcement, hospitals and primary care clinics/public health, Community Service or Child Care. Toolkits and Resources | IWK Child Safety Link
Resources for families
View the Car seat and booster seat safety resources for families including videos, a postcard, posters and fact sheets for each stage. Order print versions of these resources for free within the Atlantic provinces. Families with questions can also call our toll-free number at 1-866-288-1388.
Multilingual resources
Print resources and videos highlighting child passenger safety basics are available in 14 languages: English, French, Mi’kmaq, Arabic, Nepali, Mandarin Chinese, Somali, Swahili and Tigrinya. The video, “Is Your Child in the Right Seat?” walks the viewer through each of the stages of car seats and booster seats, from the first ride home with a new baby, to determining when a child can safely use the adult seat belt.
- The Right Seat resources – supporting all families, but especially designed for newcomer families.
- The Right seat resources – supporting all families, with images especially designed to support Indigenous families in Atlantic Canada.
Photobank
Do you need photos for a poster or display? We have a photobank with photos of local kids in current, Canadian car seats and booster seats.
Booster seat lesson plan
This 20-minute intervention is evidence-based and well received by children and schools. This program is a part of the NS curriculum for Grade two and can positively influence booster seat use for this age group.
Additional resources to support the lesson plan include:
- Certificates for the lesson plan: English / French
- Photo story to support the lesson plan: English / French
- Frequently asked questions about booster seats: English
- *New* Posters to support the lesson plan: English / French / Arabic / Mi’kmaq
Tools for law enforcement
There is evidence for enforcement checks creating community awareness for the need to use car seats and booster seats while reaching families who need support. Links to the provincial law summaries: Car Seat Safety | IWK Child Safety Link (go to the left of screen for each province link)
- The Roadside Checkpoint Toolkit can help you plan an event in your community.
- Wallet cards for police officers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.
- Video for police officers on YouTube.
Tools for hospitals and primary health clinics/public health
- Policy and education: The IWK’s evidence-based Infant Car Seat Education Policy is available to review alongside the Nova Scotia Health Infant Car Seat Education policy.
- Resources for nurses to support this policy include a nurse pocket-reference card.
The following resources can be ordered at no cost to distribute to all families of newborns on discharge: Infant seat fact sheet and Is your Child in the Right Seat?
Guidance for well-baby visits: This guidance document was created by request with talking points for key well-baby visits that align with the Rourke baby record. Print resources to support this education can be ordered at no cost.
Training opportunities
Child Safety Link supports different levels of training on child passenger safety topics including:
- Child Passenger Safety Technician training: (CPSAC certification)
This 3.5-4 day training program is offered regularly throughout Atlantic Canada. CSL offers this training directly several times each year, and provides training, support, and mentorship to instructors throughout Atlantic Canada to build capacity in their own communities. Help parents and caregivers choose and use car seats and booster seats safely.
Register for scheduled training courses or add your name to the waitlist to be contacted for upcoming opportunities.
- Safe Travel for All Children: The (US) National Center for the Safe Transportation of Children with Special Health Care Needs
This 2-day training is an added training for Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs). This targeted training is designed for occupational therapists, physiotherapists, medical equipment vendors, or other healthcare staff who directly support the safe positioning and transportation needs of infants, children, and youth as part of their healthcare role.
Child Safety Link offers this training at least once each year at the IWK, and sometimes other children's rehabilitation centres in Eastern Canada.
Register for an upcoming STAC training or add your name to the waitlist to be contacted for upcoming opportunities.
- Child Passenger Safety Basics: For Drivers: (CPSAC workshop)
This 2-3 hour online, on-demand workshop will guide participants through the basics of child passenger safety. Originally designed as a tool to support community service or child care organizations, this program is accessible to staff of any organization supporting children and families. Child Safety Link can offer this program at no cost to organizations throughout Atlantic Canada, through a partnership with the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada.
Email Katherine.hutka@iwk.nshealth.ca for codes to access this program at no cost.
- Additional child passenger safety training opportunities for professionals
Child Safety Link can support targeted child passenger safety workshops for specific organizations including:- Community Services / Social Work
- Health Care Personnel (Nurse / OT )
- Law Enforcement
For more information email Katherine Hutka at katherine.hutka@iwk.nshealth.ca or by calling 902-470-7324.
Safety at Home and At Play
Priority areas include fall prevention, poisoning prevention. New materials is added regularly. Check our website and search by topic or age: www.childsafetylink.ca
Falls Prevention
Video: The Great Safety Challenge: Preventing Home injuries in the living room:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A306v-CzpyU en francais (*Facilitator Guide for this video that is available for professionals who work with families. Contact childsafetylink@iwk.nshealth.ca to request a copy)