About This Guide
This library guide is intended to provide information to caregivers and child welfare professionals about car seat safety. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of mortality in children ages 1-18 years old, and one study in the US revealed that 86% of children are not restrained in appropriate car seats, with lack of parental knowledge, car seat cost, and child behaviour included as identified barriers. Another study revealed that barriers to booster seat use in children included fear of being teased and wanting to be seen as more mature by wearing a seatbelt only.
This guide provides easy-to-use guides on car seat safety, information on how to avoid common mistakes, and where people caring for children can find support for proper car seat use.
Car Seat & Booster Seat Basics
Key Items to Remember About Car Seat Safety
- Rear-facing baby seats must be used for babies under one year of age or who weigh less than 10 kg (22 lbs).
- Babies over 22lbs can sit forward-facing in convertible car seats until they reach the maximum weight and height limits; however, rear-facing is recommended for as long as a child can fit as it provides optimal protection.
- Several provinces in Canada have booster seat laws that require children to ride in a booster seat until they meet either the height, weight or age restrictions.
- Booster seats provide 59% more protection than seatbelts alone, and children under the age of 13 are safest in the back seat.
- Most car and booster seats can be installed with the Universal Anchorage System (UAS) / LATCH OR the car's seat belt, but not both. Check the manufacturer's manual for details.
Babies and young children need to be placed in a car seat from the time that they are newborns until they outgrow the weight and height limits of a booster seat. Remember that car seats and booster seats are safest when they are installed in the back seat of the car. (Summarized from AboutKidsHealth, Caring for Kids, CAA)
In recognition that car seats can be expensive, child welfare professionals can work with their organization to find out whether financial assistance is available to families unable to afford a car seat. Recipients of financial assistance through Ontario Works or ODSP may qualify for Discretionary Benefits that can assist with the purchase of a car seat. Local programs do exist in some municipalities, such as the Car Seat Program from Children and Family Services of Guelph and Wellington County. It is important to only ever use a new car seat, as it cannot be guaranteed that used car seats have not been in accidents.
Car & Booster Seat Safety Support
- Child Car Seat Clinics and Other Resources | Government of CanadaMany child car seats are not installed correctly. If you are not sure you have installed your child car seat correctly, there may be a child car seat clinic in your community that can help.
- Recommended Seats (Canada) | Car Seats for the LittlesChoosing a car seat is tough! There are so many options, and one look at the car seat aisle can make your head swim with weight limits and bells and whistles. So how do you know what the best seat is for your child? The safest seat is the one that fits your child, fits your vehicle, and can be used correctly 100% of the time. This list provides all of that information and more to help you make your decision.
- Finding a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) | Car Seats for the LittlesAs much as the technicians at CSFTL help caregivers online every day, it is always a good idea to have an in-person appointment for a car seat or booster seat check with your child’s car seats and booster seats. Nothing can replace working with a CPST and learning hands-on how to use your own seats in your own car properly.
- Find a Tech | Child Passenger Safety Association of CanadaCPSTs provide valuable support and education, can complete car seat and booster seat installations, and perform checks virtually or in-person.
- Car Seats for the Littles Facebook Group | Car Seats for the LittlesThis Facebook group is volunteer run and moderated and aims to provide accurate and helpful information to people seeking knowledge about the best car seat choices according to vehicle and child size / age.
Videos
Articles & Research
- The association between pediatric injury risks and parenting behaviours. byPublication: Child: Care, Health & Development.Publication Date: 2018
- The perspectives of young people on barriers to and facilitators of bicycle helmet and booster seat use byPublication: Child: Care, Health & Development.Publication Date: 2020
