Children’s Car Seat: 6 Rules

In Canada, all children’s car seats must meet the standards set by Transport Canada. These standards are designed to enhance the safety of children riding in a vehicle. Parents, and anyone working with children, must know the basic rules for choosing and using a car seat safely and in accordance with the law.

1) A car seat is required for children whose sitting height is less than 63 cm between the seat and the top of the head. The seat must be adapted to the child’s weight:

- Infant seat: for babies who weigh less than 10 kg (22 lbs)
- Child seat: for a child between 9 and 18 kg (20 and 40 lbs)
- Booster seat: for children over 18 kg (40 lbs)

2) When purchasing a car seat, make sure it has the Transport Canada compliance label. It is illegal to use a car seat purchased in the United States.

3) Check the expiry date and respect it. If the date is not indicated on the seat, consult the Transport Canada website to find out if the car seat has not passed its expiry date and has never been recalled by the manufacturer.

4) Take the time to complete the registration card for the seat and return it to the manufacturer. In the even of a recall, the manufacturer will be able to contact you.

5) Carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions for the seat. Proper car seat installation is crucial to ensure the child’s safety: check in the owner’s manual for your vehicle to ensure the car seat is installed in accordance with safety standards.

6) Have your child’s car seat installation checked. In partnership with CAA-Québec, the SAAQ (Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec) has created the Permanent Provincial Network for the Inspection of Child Safety Seats. Simply make an appointment: a specialist will check if the car seat is suited for the child and is being used properly.

According to an SAAQ 2009 survey, 1 out of 2 children are not safe when riding in a vehicle. Although 86% of children are in a seat that is suited to their height and weight, 42% of the seats are used incorrectly.

Every year in Quebec, around 1,150 children age 9 or under who are riding in a vehicle die or are injured in accidents. Choosing the appropriate car seat suited to the child’s height and weight and ensuring it is properly installed and used reduces the likelihood of death or serious injury by up to 70%.