Choosing the right car seat for your child

Table of Contents

1. The Importance of Child Seat Safety
2. Tips for Choosing the Right Car Seat
3. Selecting and Installing the Right Car Seat
4. Considering a used car seat?
5. Ensure Your Car Seat Safety

The Importance of Child Seat Safety

A roadside study by the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada (CPSAC) reveals that while 99% of children travel buckled in, nearly 75% of car seats are incorrectly installed. The study also shows that 30% of children using booster seats do not meet the minimum weight requirement.

When you use a car seat correctly, it can reduce the risk of severe injury and death by as much as 70%.

Legal Obligations

Improper use of a car seat not only puts your child at risk but also violates Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, potentially resulting in hefty fines and the loss of demerit points.

Tips for Choosing the Right Car Seat

With so many models and brands available, selecting the right car seat can feel overwhelming. Keep your child’s safety as your top priority by following these tips:

• Ensure the seat has the Transport Canada compliance logo.
• If possible, test the baby seat in your vehicle or check the retailer’s return policy for compatibility.
• Have your vehicle’s owner’s manual and the car seat instruction manual handy for proper installation.
• Avoid purchasing car seats from U.S. or international retailers, as their safety standards may differ.
• Register your car seat online or via email to receive alerts about recalls or safety advisories.

Selecting and Installing the Right Car Seat

When choosing between a 3-in-1 convertible, booster, or infant seat, consider your child’s height and weight to ensure the seat meets their needs.

Types of Car Seats:

• Infant Seat: Suitable for children up to 10 kg (22 lbs). Always rear-facing, this seat allows a child’s body to absorb shock during a collision, protecting their back and neck.
• Child Seat: For toddlers over 10 kg (22 lbs). Check the instruction manual for weight requirements before switching. Keep the seat rear-facing, even if your child’s feet touch the back of the seat, for better head, neck, and chest protection.
• Booster Seat: Designed for children over 18 kg (40 lbs), this seat elevates your child, so the seatbelt fits across their collarbone and hips instead of their neck and stomach.

Safety Checks:

• Ensure the seat is at the manufacturer-recommended incline.
• The seat should not wiggle more than 2.5 cm side-to-side or shift forward.
• Position the chest clip at your child’s underarm level.
• Straps should be tight enough that only one of your fingers can fit between the strap and your child’s chest.

Transitioning from Booster Seat to Seatbelt

To determine if your child is ready to transition from a booster seat to using a seatbelt, ensure their knees bend at the edge of the seat and that the distance from their seated buttocks to the top of their head exceeds 63 cm (25 in). The seatbelt should cross their collarbone and hips, not their neck and stomach.

Mastering Car Seat Installation

Consult the manufacturer’s guide for detailed installation instructions and guidance on when to transition to a more appropriate car seat based on your child’s weight.

Always install car seats in the rear seat, as it is the safest location—far from the front impact zone during frontal collisions, which are the most common. Additionally, front airbags can pose risks to young passengers in the event of a crash.

Winter Considerations

During winter, adjusting straps and seatbelts can be challenging due to bulky clothing. Plan ahead, allowing extra time to secure your child properly. Consider using a seat cover, which can keep them warm without compromising safety!

Considering a used car seat?

Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind from the Government of Canada when shopping for a second-hand seat. Make sure that:

• The seat meets the current Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard and has the National Safety mark on it
• The car seat comes with a safety manual, or one is available online as a PDF
• The expiry date of the car seat has not passed
• All parts of the car seat are in working order and no parts of the restraint or anchoring system are missing
• The car seat has not been involved in a collision (If the seller doesn’t know the history of the seat, don’t buy it)

Ensure Your Car Seat Safety

Leave no room for doubt! If you’re concerned about your car seat installation, the CPSAC can help you schedule an appointment with a certified technician to check your vehicle and seat. Use the tech locator on the CPSAC website to find one near you.

If your car seat has been involved in an accident, replace it—even if no one occupied the seat during the incident, as it may have sustained hidden damage.

Did you know your car seat might be covered under your insurance policy? Speak with your Broker to learn more about your coverage and any additional benefits available under your property or personal vehicle policy.