Car seat safety

 

To secure your baby:  

• The harness straps must be snug and threaded at or just below your baby’s shoulders.
• The chest clip should be at armpit level.
• If more than one finger fits between the shoulder harness and your baby’s collarbone, the harness is too loose.
• The seat handle should be in the position recommended by the manufacturer.

If you use an infant carrier outside of the vehicle:  

• Keep your child buckled in.
• Don’t put the seat on a raised surface, such as a table, because it may fall.
• Don’t leave your baby in a car seat to sleep.
• Use the car seat as little as possible other than when traveling in a vehicle.

How do I use a forward-facing car seat?  

• Your car may have the Universal Anchorage System (UAS or LATCH [lower anchors and tethers for children]) to secure your forward-facing car seat. It is mandatory in all new models. See Transport Canada’s notice re: children weighing 40 lbs or more.
• In some vehicles, you will need to use the vehicle’s seat belt with a locking clip to securely install a forward-facing child seat. Consult the vehicle owner’s manual for instructions on locking a seat belt.
• A top tether strap must also be used on all forward-facing child seats. A tether strap is attached to the top of the car seat and fastened to an anchor that is bolted to the vehicle. You will need one tether anchor for each forward-facing child seat used in the vehicle.
• If your vehicle doesn’t have a tether anchor, ask your vehicle dealer to install one.
• Thread the seat belt or UAS strap through the child seat as shown in the seat’s instructions.
• Use your hand to push down on the child seat while you tighten the seat belt or UAS strap.
• Attach the tether strap to hold the top of the child seat in place and tighten the strap.

To secure your toddler:  

• The harness straps should be at or slightly above your child’s shoulders.
• Only one finger should fit between the harness strap and your child’s collarbone. Otherwise, it is too loose.
• The chest clip should be at armpit level.

How do I use a booster seat?  

• While seated in the booster seat, and with the lap-shoulder belt on, the shoulder portion of the seat belt should be positioned over the middle of the collarbone so that it does not touch your child’s neck.
• The lap belt should be over the hips (pelvic bones), away from the stomach.
• Your child should be able to bend her knees comfortably over the edge of the seat.
• Buckle the seat belt across the booster seat even when your child isn’t with you. This will keep the seat in place during a collision or sudden stop.

Is it okay to buy a used car seat?  

You shouldn’t buy a used car seat because it may have been in a collision and the damage may not be visible. The model may also be past the expiry date or been replaced with a newer, safer model.

When should I replace my child seat?  

• Many car seats have expiry dates on them because of ‘plastic fatigue’ (parts get more brittle or break easily).
• Replace the seat when it has reached the expiry date. If there is no expiry date, replace the seat if it is 10 years old or if it shows any cracks or damage in the plastic. You can also contact the car seat manufacturer if there is no expiry date shown on the seat.
• Always replace a car seat that has been in a car crash, even a minor one.

Are there any other safety tips?  

• Don’t use any add-on features for car seats that are not provided by the manufacturer, such as a bunting bag, head-huger, tray or comfort strap. These can affect the safety of the seat and can be dangerous in a collision.
• If the seat is cold, tuck a blanket over your child after he is secured. Don’t put anything under or behind his body.
• Avoid thick or fluffy clothing that would compress in a crash. The harness could become too loose.
• Don’t use bunting bags or sleeping bags. They prevent the crotch buckle from fitting snugly between the legs. 
• Older children wear lighter layers. After the harness is done up, the child's jacket can be put on backwards over the harness.
• Never leave your child alone in the car.
• Always ensure that the locking clip remains attached to the car seat when the UAS is used to secure the seat. This allows for the clip to be available if the seat needs to be secured into a vehicle that doesn’t have the UAS.
• Fill out and mail the registration card that comes with your child’s car seat or register it online. If there is a recall, the company will be able to contact you.