Car Seats for Children

In Canada, approximately 70 children under the age of five die in motor vehicle collisions each year. Another 4,000 children are injured. Most deaths and injuries occur in a crash or sudden stop when unrestrained passengers are slammed against the vehicle interior, thrown against another occupant, or ejected from the vehicle. This can be prevented with the proper use of seat belts and child restraint systems. There is only one way to protect your child from the dangers of motor vehicle collisions or sudden stops - by ensuring that they are properly secured in a correctly installed child restraint system that meets the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS). All restraint systems sold in Canada, for both infants and toddlers, must meet these safety standards which are set by Transport Canada. These standards ensure that the movement of the child would be limited in the event of a collision or a sudden stop.

There are four different types of child restraint systems:

INFANT CAR SEATS

Infant carriers are used from birth to 9 kg (20 lbs). Facing the rear of the car, the baby is held securely in the seat by the shoulder harness, which is adjusted snugly enough to allow a one finger width space between the harness and the baby's body. The seat itself is fastened by the vehicle seat belt to prevent it from moving during a collision or a sudden stop.

COMBINATION/CONVERTIBLE SEATS

Combination seats can be used for the infant as a rear-facing carrier and when the child is older, as a front-facing car seat. Once infants can sit up unaided for long periods of time without falling over, or can pull themselves up to a standing position, it is safe to place the seat in the forward facing position. They are for children 22 lbs AND 1 year old, depending on the child's development . Some of these combination/convertible seats have been tested to be rear-facing to 30-35 lbs to accommodate heavier infants who are not yet ready to face forward.

BOOSTER SEATS

Booster seats are used for children over 18 kg (40 lbs) or children who are too tall for their child car seat (when the mid-point of the child's ears are above the child car seat). The booster seat helps position the lap belt and shoulder belt properly over the child's body. The booster seat is secured by the vehicle seat belt system. Never allow the shoulder belt to be put under the arm or behind the back ..

INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS

Integrated child seats are built into some vehicles. These seats are required to meet CMVSS standards. If your vehicle is equipped with built in child seats, consult your owner's manual for age and weight limits.

• Make sure your CHILD CAR SEATS meets CMVSS (Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards)
• Make sure your CHILD’S CAR SEAT is appropriate for your child's development
• Make sure your CHILD’ CAR SEAT has the seat belt routed correctly and tightened sufficiently
• Make sure your CHILD’S CAR SEAT has a correctly installed tether
• Make sure your CHILD’S CAR SEAT has the required locking clip and that it is used correctly

Things to Remember

• Motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death for children 1 - 9 years of age
• Nearly two thirds of all children in Ontario are not secured correctly in their car seats (MTO 1991 Road side survey)
• Always follow manufacturer's instructions to ensure proper car seat installation and seat belt routing
• Children under 12 years of age should always be seated in the back seat of the vehicle and should be properly restrained
• Make sure the infant restraint or the child restraint is properly suited to the child's height and weight

When shopping for a child restraint system, always ensure that the seat is appropriate for the height, weight and muscular development of your child and that the seat allows space for the child to grow. Ensure it can be correctly installed in your vehicle, meaning that your vehicle seat belt will fit through or around the restraint in the manner recommended by the manufacturer and that the seat can be installed snugly. Also ensure that it meets the Canadian safety standards and that the child is comfortable in the seat. Read the instructions that come with the car seat on the proper use of your child restraint. All child car seats must meet the same safety standards, regardless of their price. A higher price is often only an indication of a more expensive fabric covering the seat, or more accessory features.