Resources
Choosing a Car Seat
Knowing the main differences between different types of car seats, as well as what features may help you properly use the seat, will help you decide which car seat is best for your baby/child, as well as for your vehicle. Also, if you are planning to use a second hand car seat (from a family member/friend), or use one that you have owned for several years, there are some questions to consider prior to using the seat. The Choosing a Car Seat fact sheet provides information on selecting a new seat and deciding if a used seat is still safe to use.
How to Install a Car Seat & How to Harness a Child in a Car Seat
Your vehicle manual and the car seat manual together will provide important information regarding the proper installation of your car seat. Properly tightened harness straps are key to holding your child in their car seat in a collision - your car seat manual will provide specific instructions on how to adjust and tighten the straps. The Installing & Using Your Car Seat fact sheet will provide additional tips.
Stages of Car Seat Use
One very important part of ensuring your baby/child is travelling safe, is using the correct seat for their weight, height and developmental ability. The Car Seat Safety fact sheet outlines the various stages of car seat use, from newborn to young child, and highlights when a baby/child is ready to switch from one seat to the next, when they should sit rear-facing vs. forward-facing, and more. The Booster Seats fact sheet provides additional tips for selecting the best booster seat for your vehicle, as well as how to decide when your child is ready for a seat belt alone.
New for 2010, the Boost Me Up. Keep Me Safe: Choosing a booster seat information card is a quick reference tool to help you choose the correct booster seat for your child.
Premature and Small Infants
All babies need a proper car seat for their first ride home from the hospital. Choosing one for a premature baby, or a baby that weighs less than 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs), and securely harnessing them in a car seat is especially important. Before your baby leaves the hospital, you will need to make sure you have an appropriate car seat and that it is installed and used correctly. The Car Seat Safety for Premature and Small Infants fact sheet will help you select a car seat, as well as provide tips for securely harnessing your newborn.
Car Seat Clinic Information
York Region: York Region Child Seat Safety Coalition (online calendar - www.yorkregionchildseat.ca), or call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653
Toronto: Toronto Police Services, or call Toronto Health Connection at 416-338-7600
Durham: call Durham Region Health Department Information Line at 1-800-841-2729
Peel: call Peel Health at 905-799-7700
Simcoe-Muskoka: call Simcoe-Muskoka Health Connection at 1-877-721-7520
External Links:
Transport Canada provides information about car seat/booster seat public notices (recalls) and related car seat/booster seat product safety information. You can also find information on general safety in the car and school bus safety.
1-800-333-0371.
Infant and Toddler Safety Association 1-888-570-0181
Ministry of Transportation of Ontario strongly promotes using child safety seats to save lives. In Ontario, they are required for all children up to the age of eight. Get information about road safety (car seat/booster seat/seatbelt) laws in Ontario.
1-800-268-4626
Safe Kids Canada provides information on keeping kids safe and preventing unintentional injuries. Program, media and policy information and resources are available on many safety topics. There is a child safety hotline for anyone to call with questions.
1-888-723-3847
VIP child car seat rentals Inc. 905-713-0326
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (USA)
Car seat manufacturers
If you have questions about your particular car seat model, or to request an additional copy of your car seat manual, contact the manufacturer customer service department. Have your car seat's model number and date of manufacture, (which you should find on a label on the side/back of your car seat) ready.
| Car Seat Manufacturer |
Phone Number |
| Graco/Century (manufactured by Elfe) |
1-800-667-8184 |
| Cosco/Safety 1st/Eddie Bauer/Quinny/Maxi-Cosi (manufactured or distributed by Dorel Juvenile Group) |
1-800-219-0540 |
| Britax |
1-888-427-4829 |
| Evenflo |
1-937-773-3971 |
| Chicco (for service in Canada, contact their Canadian service center, Isis) |
1-800-667-4111 |
| Jupiter |
416-285-7525
or
1-800-465-5795 |
| Peg Perego |
905-839-3371
or
1-800-661-5050 |
| The First Years (manufactured by Learning Curve) |
1-800-704-8697 |
| Sunshine Kids |
1-888-336-7909 |
| Clek (manufactured by Magna Aftermarket) |
1-866-656-1461 |
| Strolex |
1-888-302-7701 |
| Fisher Price (*Fisher Price has not manufactured car seats since 2001) |
1-800-567-7724 |
For more information, please contact
York Region Health Connection at 1 800-361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933
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