Booster seats
Transport Canada recommends children use booster seats if they cannot sit comfortably against the back of the vehicle seat, if their knees cannot bend comfortably over the seat, or if the shoulder strap crosses their face or neck.
Other things to keep in mind when using a booster seat for your child:
- Make sure your child's head is supported by the top of the booster or vehicle seat.
- Do not use seat belt adjusters, such as seat belt extenders, when securing the booster seat.
- Make sure the shoulder strap crosses between your child's shoulder and neck, not over his or her face. The lap belt should sit low over the hips, not over the stomach. Seat belts were designed to sit across the pelvis.
Infant/toddler car seat
- The safest place for a child car seat is in the center of the rear seat.
- Babies up to nine kilograms must be in a seat that faces the rear. Rear-facing infant restraints should not be placed facing fold-up armrests, or in the space between two bucket seats.
- A toddler car seat should be forward-facing in the centre of the rear seat, unless you must use two car seats. Then they could be side by side if they can be adequately secured by the car seat belts and tether straps.
- When using both an infant or toddler car seat, secure the harness over the shoulders so that only one or two fingers can fit between it and the child's collarbone.
- Make sure the straps of the harness are flat and untwisted.
- Position the harness retainer clip at armpit level and place rolled towels or receiving blankets on each side of the baby if extra support is needed.
- If it's cold, then cover the harnessed baby with blankets. Do not wrap the baby blankets before harnessing.
- Check and pull the seat belt as tightly as possible and, if using a continuous motion lap and shoulder belt, apply the seat belt locking clip.
- Booster seats are recommended for children between 18 kg and 36 kg in order to make the seat belt fit properly. Transport Canada now recommends that children under 12 always sit in the back seat, especially if the vehicle has passenger side airbags.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using seats that are not meant to be used in a car
Some parents make the mistake of using seats or loungers that should only be used in the house. All approved infant car seats must have a label affixed to them that indicates that the seat meets "Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) 213.1."
- Beware of Second-Hand Seats
Some older second-hand seats may no longer meet CMVSS standards. You may want to check them out by calling your provincial ministry of transportation.
- Infant or Convertible Car Seats
If the seat reclines, read the manufacturer's instructions carefully to ensure that you have reclined at the proper angle. Some seats have a "packaging position" that parents often mistake as the proper reclining position. Using this position or any other unapproved position is dangerous.
- Harnessing and Blankets or Bunting Bags
Bundling infants into large bunting bags or layers of warm blankets before harnessing them in their seats makes correct positioning of shoulder and crotch straps impossible. A harness fitted loosely over layers of blankets or secured around a child's waist will not keep the child secured in the seat. If extra warmth is required, place the blankets over the harnessed baby.
- Neglecting to Harness
This could allow the child to be thrown out of the child restraint.
- Failing to use the Harness on a Car Seat with a U-shaped Padded Armrest
Unless the manufacturer specifies that the armrest/shield is a safety feature, the armrest is a cosmetic feature and will not protect the child in any way. It is a very hazardous object for an unharnessed child to be thrown against. Some car seats have shields which are safety features. Check the instructions to see if a harness is also required.
- Positioning
Don't face an infant in the forward-facing position. Infant seats are not designed to face forward at all and will not protect an infant in that position. Keep a child in a rear-facing position until the child is able to pull himself or herself to a standing position or can sit very well while unattended. The longer you can keep your baby in the rear-facing position the better and safer.
- Top Tether Straps
Neglecting to fasten the top tether strap allows the car seat to pivot forward or sideways in a sudden stop. The child's head may collide with the interior of the car.
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External Links
- Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems and Booster Cushions Safety Regulations
- Transport Canada: Child Safety in the car
- Child restraints and booster cushion notices - Transport Canada
- Choosing the right car seat for your child: Ontario government
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