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 about car seat safety on social media and through email, working in the retail baby gear industry and conducting installation check appointments. Also, completing 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 3 options for appointment locations:

at my home in the East Bayfield/Little Lake area of north Barrie
at Serenity Birth Studio & Baby Shop - 4 Alliance Blvd, Unit 10 in north Barrie
at the Toys R Us store at 555 Bayfield St. in north Barrie

I am unable to offer mobile services to your location, however...if your car seat needs are urgent, please message me to discuss if accommodations can be made. If this is possible, an additional charge of $15 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?

My preferred method of payment is e-transfer (payable to cspt.elaine@gmail.com) but I will also accept cash.

When should a pre-natal appointment be booked?

Ideally 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 1-2 weeks), you are encouraged to book a follow-up appointment to check baby's harness fit either in-person (most ideal) or by messaging me with photos - 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. While other technicians may install the car seat for you, this is not in your best interests in the long run. 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. *If you have any physical limitations that prevent you from fully installing the seat yourself, I can still help!

What happens when there is inclement weather?

Due to the nature of the service, appointments are conducted outdoors year-round. For your comfort, dress appropriately depending on the season. Appointments may be rescheduled in cases of extreme weather (excessive cold or heat, heavy rain/thunderstorms or heavy snow)

How to cancel or reschedule an appointment?

If you need to cancel or change your appointment, please provide as much advance notice as possible by text message or email.

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