Home/.../Parenting Newborns/Keeping Your Baby Safe/Car Seat Safety

Car Seat Safety

Choosing a car seat

Correctly choosing, installing and using a child seat is the best thing you can do to keep your child safe in the car. The best car seat is the one that fits your child, your budget, and your vehicle. Watch this video to learn what you should know before buying a car seat or a booster seat.

Stage 1: rear-facing

It is safest to keep children in the rear-facing position for as long as possible, until they reach the maximum height or weight limits of the seat. If your baby has outgrown their infant bucket seat, you can move them to a larger rear-facing seat.

Check your car seat manual to make sure the seat is properly reclined.
It is okay if your child's legs touch the back of the vehicle seat.

Stage 2: forward-facing

Forward-facing seats are used for older children once they have outgrown the weight and height limits of their rear-facing seat. There is no rush to move to a forward-facing seat, if your child still fits the rear-facing position, it is the safest option.

The car seat's tether strap must be attached to your vehicle's tether anchor when using the forward-facing position.

In most cases, if the weight of the child plus the weight of the car seat is greater than of equal to 30kg (65lbs), you need to use the vehicle seat belt to install the car seat instead of the UAS system.

Stage 3: booster seat

Booster seats help the adult seatbelt to fit children properly. It is best to continue using a booster seat until your child is 145cm (4'9") tall. A booster seat can be used for a child who:

is at least 18 kg (40 lbs), and
is mature enough to sit upright for the entire car trip.

Don't hurry! If a child has outgrown their car seat but are not quite ready for a booster, look for a taller, higher weight harnessed seat.

Tips for car seat safety

Safe seats:

All seats must have a National Safety mark label (circle with a maple leaf in the centre).
Do not use a car seat that:
- is beyond the manufacturer's expiry date,
- has been in a collision,
- has been dropped more than four feet,
- does not have all the manufacturer's instructions,
- does not have all the necessary hardware, or
- has been recalled.

Proper location:

Children 12 years of age and younger are safest in the back seat.
Check your vehicle owner's manual:
- to determine the best spot in the back to install your car seat, and
- to see if your vehicle has the Universal Anchorage System (UAS).

Straps:

Tighten the harness straps enough so that you cannot pinch a horizontal fold at the collarbone.
The harness straps should come out at or just below your child's shoulders when in the rear-facing position.
The harness straps should come out at or just above your child's shoulders when in the forward-facing position.
The harness straps should not have any twists or kinks.
The chest clip is located at the armpit level.
Tighten the seat so it cannot move more than 2.5cm (1 inch) side to side or forward at the base.

Choose a car seat with the highest weight and height limits. Do not use products that did not come with your car seat. These may include positioning devices, head rests, or harness covers. Your seat was not crash tested using these items.