Please Note:

As of  September 1, 2005, booster seats are required by law for children who weigh between 18kg – 36kg. (40-80lbs.), are less than 145 cm (4'9"), and 8 years of age; upper weight and height limits vary between models – refer to your car seat manual

FAQs

Q: Why do babies need to be rear facing?

Infants needs to be rear facing because they do not have the muscular and skeletal strength in their necks and chests to withstand a forward facing collision. Their heads are large and heavy compared to the rest of their body, and when the head moves forward during a collision it can cause damage to the spinal cord. In a rear facing position, the force of the crash is absorbed into the shell of the car seat.

Q: My baby's head falls forward in their seat when they sleeps. How can I prevent this?

For rear facing car seats it is important that the seat is reclined at a 45-degree angle.  However, many vehicle seats are sloped and cause the car seat to sit too upright when installed.  Some infant carriers have bases with a built in level adjuster to compensate for this slope.  For bases that do not have this feature, and for rear facing convertible seats, you can place a pool noodle underneath the base/bottom of the car seat, at the crease of the vehicle seat.

Q: Instead of a booster seat, why can't I use a seat belt adjusters?

Seat belt adjusters are not safe for anyone to use because they change the position of the seat belt to areas of the body that can be severely injured in a crash.  Please note they are not regulated by Transport Canada.

Q: Which car seat is the safest?

All car seats sold in Canada must meet the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. However, not all car seats will fit in all vehicles. The type of vehicle seat belt (or LATCH) system and the contour of the vehicle seat may not allow some car seats to be held in place properly.  You may need to try more than one car seat in your vehicle to find the best fit. The Buying a Car Seat fact sheet can provide details that may help you when shopping for a new car seat.

Q: When should I stop using my rear facing car seat?

If you are using an infant car seat, your child will be ready to change car seats when they have reached the maximum height or weight as specified in the car seat manual.  At that point, they are ready for a convertible car seat placed in the rear facing position.  A child must stay rear-facing until they are at least 10 kg (22lb.), one year of age and pulling themselves to a stand unassisted.   

Q: What is a tether strap? Will I get a ticket if I do not use it?

A tether strap is attached to the back top portion of forward facing car seats and fastened to an anchor bolt installed in the frame of the vehicle. The tether limits how far forward the car seat will move in a crash or a sudden stop.  By law, police officers can issue a ticket if a tether strap is not used or is used incorrectly.  If your car seat does not have one already attached to it, check the label on the car seat to make sure it complies with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 213.  If there is no label or the label does not state compliance you should not use this car seat. If the label does state compliance, you can purchase a tether strap at stores where car seats are sold or from your car seat manufacturer.

Q: Where can I get a tether anchor bolt installed?

All passenger vehicles (excluding convertibles, minivans, sport utility vehicles and light pick-up trucks) manufactured after January 1989 have pre-drilled holes for tether anchor bolts. Your car dealership will be able to provide you with an anchor bolt appropriate for your vehicle and in some cases they will install it free of charge.  As of September 1999, all new passenger vehicles have factory-installed, user-ready anchor, and as of September 2000, all new light trucks, minivans and sport utility vehicles have a specified number of anchor bolts already installed. Check the vehicle owner's manual for the location of the bolt, as they vary from vehicle to vehicle.

Q:  What are the most common mistakes people make when using their car seats?

Car seats checked across Canada indicate that the 4 most common mistakes made are: 

·       The child is not in the appropriate car seat

·       The shoulder harness is not used correctly (too loose or in incorrect slots)

·       The seat belt is not tight enough

·       Tether straps are not used or used incorrectly

Q:  When can my child ride in the front seat?

Transport Canada highly recommends that children 12 and under should ride in the back seat of the vehicle, especially if there is a passenger side air bag. 

Q:  Where is the safest location for the car seat to be installed ?

You should read your vehicle manual to find out if you are allowed to install the car seat in the centre position. If you can tightly install your car seat, the back centre position is the preferred location for your car seat because it is far removed from any impact or intrusion. 

Q:  My vehicle has a side air bag, what do I do?

It would be best to read your vehicle manual to find out if there are any precautions you need to take when installing  a car seat or seating your child beside side air bags.  Transport Canada  has additional recommendations regarding side air bags.

Q:  My child has figured out how to unbuckle the chest clip of their car seat.  What can I do?

Firstly, check to ensure that the harness straps are tightened enough on your child – you should only be able to put one finger between the collar bone and the shoulder harness.  Secondly, ensure that the chest clip is at the armpit level.  Finally, ensure that you have threaded or buckled the chest clip according to the manufacturer's instructions.  If your child continues to find a way to unbuckle the chest clip, please call the car seat manufacturer for other suggestions.

Q: Why are rear facing car seats not required to be tethered?

Rear facing car seats are designed to rock towards the point of impact to absorb the force of the collision into the shell of the car seat.  To date, Transport Canada has not crash tested rear-facing car seats with tether straps, for more information contact Transport Canada.    

Q: My car seat is 5 years old.  Should I still use it, or how do I dispose of it?

Each car seat manufacturer has a specific expiry date for their models, ranging from 5 to 10 years from the date of manufacture, based on their own research and crash-tests.  New car seats often have the expiry date moulded right into the plastic shell of the car seat.  Otherwise, locate the label on the car seat that shows the model number and date of manufacture and contact the car seat manufacturer to determine if your seat is still safe to use.  To safely dispose of your car seat, remove all harnessing, all padding, and place the shell and car seat parts in separate dark coloured garbage bags. 

Q: I've seen many car seat accessories that will keep my child warm (instead of a snowsuit), or look snug and comfortable in their car seat.  Are they safe to use?

There are many car seat accessories that could be considered a safety risk when added to a car seat.  Transport Canada has issued a consumer information notice about the potential safety risks of such products.

Q: I'm pregnant and am not sure where to place the lap/shoulder belt.

The best way to protect an unborn child  and mother is to wear a seat belt.  Pregnant women should always wear a lap-shoulder belt, sitting as upright as possible.  The lap belt portion should be placed low across the hips and over the upper thighs; it must lie snug over the pelvis, never over the abdomen.  The shoulder portion should be adjusted for a snug fit and lie between the breasts.

Q: What else do I need to know about children and car seats?

Beyond the safe installation and harnessing of children in car seats, two situations that could potentially harm your child are leaving them unattended in vehicles, and placing car seats on elevated surfaces.

• It is never advisable to leave children unattended in vehicles, especially during the summer months
•  Delays of only a few minutes can be dangerous when the outside temperature is

  34 degrees Celsius, even with a window slightly open, the temperature inside a car can reach 52 degrees Celsius in just 20 minutes and approximately 60 degrees Celsius in 40 minutes (National Safe Kids Campaign, 2001)

• Extreme heat affects infants and small children rapidly, overwhelming their body's ability to regulate temperature. When left in a hot vehicle, a young child's core body temperature can increase three to five times faster than that of an adult, with the risk of permanent injury or death (National Safe Kids Campaign, 2001)
• Placing car seats on elevated surfaces such as tables, washing machines, dryers and shopping carts can be a safety hazard.   Children who fall from such heights can suffer skull, neck and spine fractures, with the additional 5 kg. (11 lb.) weight of the car seat adding to the impact of the fall
• Car seats are effective in reducing the risk of injury and death when used properly in vehicles.  If you choose, however, to use infant carriers beyond their intent ensure that it is placed only on the floor and that the car seat has a wide solid base to prevent tipping
• Never leave your child unattended. A fall can happen suddenly and the effects of that fall can last a lifetime

Used car seats

If you are planning to buy a second hand car seat, borrow one from family or friends that is several years old.  Please complete the Used Car Seat Checklist  to help you decide if the seat is still safe to use.