Car Seat Safety

Infant Car Seats – Birth to 22lbs

• When placing an infant car seat into a vehicle always ensure:
• The car seat is rear facing only
• NEVER place in front of an active air bag
• The infant seat sits at a 45 degree angle
• Once belted (by use of a seatbelt OR Universal Anchorage System – UAS), the car seat should not move more than 1” forward
• or sideways (at belt path)
• Place the carrying handle down and locked into position (if using an infant carrier) – always refer to the manual for the car seat
• You should head a “click” when attaching the car seat into the base (if using an infant carrier) to ensure that the car seat is secured

When placing a child into an infant car seat always ensure:

• The chest clip is at their armpit
• Harness straps should be flat and snug (you should only be able to fit one finger between the strap and the child collar bone)
• The harness straps must be coming out of the back of the car seat either at or below the child’s shoulder

Child Car Seats – 22lbs, one year of age and able to walk unassisted

• When placing a child car seat into a vehicle always ensure:
• The car seat is forward facing
• The tether strap is attached and tightened to the tether anchor (as identified in the vehicle manual)
• Once belted (by use of a seatbelt OR Universal Anchorage System – UAS), the car seat should not move more than 1” forward or sideways

When placing a child into a child car seat always ensure:

• The chest clip is at their armpit
• Harness straps should be flat and snug (you should only be able to fit one finger between the strap and the child collar bone)
• The harness straps must be coming out of the back of the car seat either at or above the child’s shoulder
• The midpoint of the child’s ear is not above the top of the car seat

Booster Seats – at least 40 lbs (around 4 ½ years of age)

When placing a child into a booster seat always ensure:

• The lap belt is positioned low across the hips
• The shoulder belt should lie flat across the chest
• If there is not a back on the booster seat, the midpoint of the child’s ear is not above the top of the vehicle seat
• If there is a back on the booster seat, the midpoint of the child’s ear is not above the top of the booster seat

Common Errors

• The vehicle seat belt is not tight enough to hold the car seat properly
• The harness straps are too loose
• The car seat is not appropriate for the weight or height of the child
• The tether strap (on forward facing seats) is not used or used incorrectly
• Continue using a booster seat until the child is 145cm or 4’9” tall. This is the minimum height required for adult seat belts to fit correctly.

Safety Tips

• Make sure there is a Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) label on your car seat
• Follow the manufacturers instructions and check the expiration date of your car seat
• Replace your car seat if it has been in a collision
• NEVER place a child in front of an active airbag
• Children under the age of 13 should sit in the back seat

Sources:

Ministry of Transportation
Durham Region Health Department
Transport Canada
Safe Kids Canada