About Me & FAQ

My name is Elaine and I am a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). I am also a parent. When my daughter was born in 2012, I was unaware of just how much there was to know about car seat safety. As I started learning, I became motivated to share my knowledge with fellow parents. I educate from a best practice standpoint where the information you will receive goes beyond minimum legal requirements. My ultimate goal is to empower fellow parents and other caregivers to keep children as safe as possible on the road by making fully informed choices about their car seat use and installation.

I am insured by ProLink Canada and received my training and certification from the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada (CPSAC) in 2014. Since then, I have spent countless hours educating the public about car seat safety on social media, conducting installation check appointments, participating in community events and working in the retail baby gear industry.

In addition, having to complete the recertification process every three years means my knowledge and skills are always up-to-date with the ever-changing rules and regulations surrounding the correct use and installation of child restraints for all ages and stages.

learn more about cpsac

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are appointments conducted?

Depending on the type of service you require, there are 2 options for appointment locations:

at my home in the East Bayfield/Little Lake area of north Barrie
at Serenity Birth Studio & Baby Shop located at 4 Alliance Blvd (Unit 10) in north Barrie

I am currently unable to offer services at your location, however...if your car seat needs are urgent, please message me to discuss if accommodations can be made. If this is possible, a travel fee of $20 will apply on top of the regular appointment cost. If I am not able to provide emergency assistance at your location, I can refer you to another technician who may be available to help.

How are car seat services paid for?

I accept cash or e-transfer payable to cpst.elaine@gmail.com at the end of your appointment.

When should a pre-natal installation/education session be booked?

Ideally at least 2-4 weeks before your baby's due date - this gives you time to read the car seat manual, practice the installation and become familiar with all the functions of the car seat. As soon as possible after baby's birth (ideally within 2 weeks), you are encouraged to visit with me again to check baby's harness fit and make any necessary adjustments. There is no extra charge for this fit check.

Why should you learn to install the car seat yourself?

My job as a CPST is to teach, and be a "lighthouse" to guide and support you. Hands-on learning ensures you leave the appointment feeling confident in your abilities to install and use your seats correctly on your own. This is especially important during times when a CPST won't be readily available to help, such as in the event of an emergency, last-minute vehicle changes, or during travel. Knowing how to install your seat and make adjustments when needed means you are always fully in control of your child's safety, and not relying on someone else to do it for you on a regular basis.

What happens when there is inclement weather?

Due to the nature of the service, appointments are conducted outdoors year-round. For your comfort, please dress appropriately depending on the season and weather conditions. Appointments may need to be rescheduled in cases of extreme weather (ie: excessive cold or heat, thunderstorms or heavy snow) in order to not compromise the health and safety of all parties.

In the event that I must cancel your appointment due to unforeseen circumstances on my end (ie: sickness or family emergencies), I will reschedule your appointment at a reduced cost on another mutually agreeable date.

How to cancel or reschedule an appointment?

Serenity Birth Studio appointments: please use the cancellation/rescheduling tool in the confirmation email you received when you booked the appointment.

Private appointments: please send me a text or email.