Safe and Secure:
Choosing the Right Car Seat for Your Child
Car crashes are the number one cause of death for
Canadian children. Properly installed seats can reduce risk of
serious injury or death by 71%.Children under the age of 13 are
safest in the back seat way from all active air bags. By Law, Drivers are responsible for ensuring
passengers under age 16 are secured properly. Failing to do so can result in a
$90 fine and two demerit points.
INFANTS
Car sheets should face the back
of the vehicle, rest on a 45 degree angle and move no more than 2.5cm side to
side. Harness straps should be slotted at or below baby's
shoulders, and should not be able to fit more than one finger underneath the harness
straps at the collarbone.
Use rear-facing car seat until:
The baby is at least 20 lbs
The baby can pull him/herself into a standing position
The baby is one year old
TODDLERS
Can ride facing forward when they are a year old, over
20lb and can pull him/herself in a standing position.
All forward-facing car seats must use a tether strap. To install a forward-facing car seat, fasten
the tether strap, and then use your body weight to tighten and fasten the
seatbelt. Ensure the shoulder straps are at or above the
child's shoulders. Straps should be snug with only one finger width between the
strap and the collarbone
PRE-SCHOOL TO 8-YEARS-OLD
Booster seats are used for children from
40-80lbs less than 4'9" tall and up to 8 years old. Booster seats raise a child up so that the adult
seatbelt works more effectively. Always use both lap and shoulder belts in a booster
seat
YOUTH
Make sure the shoulder strap crosses between your child's shoulder and neck (not the face), and the lap belt
crosses over the hips (not the stomach)
When buying a
car seat, new or used, make sure it has:
Not been in a collision
A Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards sticker
Not expired or is not older than 10 years
No
discoloured marks or cracks and the harness is not worn or torn
For
more information visit the Ministry of Transportation website.
For more information on how to install your car seat or car seat clinics in your area, visit the
Sudbury and District Health Unit website.
