Choosing the right car seat for your child is important to ensure your little one’s safety in the event of an accident and thus reduce the risk of injury or death.
In addition to the selection of the seat, its installation is also of great importance. The seat must in fact be properly installed on the bench seat of your vehicle, and be adapted to the weight and size of the child.
Here are more details on what you need to know about the child’s car seat.
The right seat for every stage of growth
During the growing period, your child should go through three different stages before using only the seat belt.
Step 1: Seat in rear-facing position
By law, your child should be in a rear-facing car seat at least until his or her first birthday, until he or she reaches 22 pounds (10 kg) and is able to to walk solidly. Vanessa Olsen, child passenger safety technician, specifies, however, that the SAAQ recommends that this stage last until the child is 2 years old or until the limit of the rear-facing position of a convertible seat.
Step 2: the seat in the forward-facing position
Then you can transition to the forward-facing seat up to the seat weight limit, which is often 65 pounds (29 kg).
Step 3: the booster seat
Once your child reaches the famous milestone of 40 pounds (18 kg), you can think about getting a booster seat. However, achieving this weight is very important. If your little one weighs less than 40 pounds, it will not be safe to put them in a booster seat.
But that’s not all. If he is not able to understand the importance of sitting up straight in his seat throughout a car ride or if he falls on his side when falling asleep, it is best to postpone the seat. booster seat stage. Most companies indicate a minimum age of 4 years, but the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada prefers to wait until the age of 5,” explains Vanessa Olsen.
How to properly install the car seat
It is important to have a good car seat, but it must also be installed correctly. By taking the time to do this, you will reduce the risk of death or serious injury in the event of an accident by up to 71% .
Install the bench in the back seat, this is the safest place;
Attach the seat to the car’s universal anchorage system (only valid for cars built after 2002, otherwise use the seat belt);
Orient the baby seat toward the rear of the car for better protection;
Before facing the child seat towards the front of the car, make sure that your child’s weight and height meet the requirements;
Do not leave a child under one year old in their car seat for more than an hour. If necessary, take breaks to pick it up and change position;
Before the age of 12, seat your children in the rear seat. By being away from the front of the car, your child will be safer in a frontal collision;
After an accident, always replace the child seat whether or not it has been damaged. The costs will generally be reimbursed by your insurer.
Is your car seat expired?
Indeed, car seats have an expiration date. This allows you to know when the bench needs to be changed before it loses its effectiveness. From one brand and model to another, the lifespan will vary between 6 to 10 years. If your bench is expired, do not use it anymore.
Generally, the expiration date is indicated on a sticker affixed to the bench or embossed on it. We also advise you to keep the bench’s instruction manual carefully to keep information regarding its useful life.
If in doubt, have it checked!
Did you know that there is a network of child passenger safety technicians in Canada? They are duly trained by the non-profit organization Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada and know all the best practices to follow to ensure the safety of children in cars.
If you need help knowing how to properly install your child’s seat, consult the organization’s interactive map to find a technician available in your area.
Finally, how to know if your child no longer needs a booster seat in the car
In general, a child aged 9 or 145 cm tall may no longer need a booster bench. However, parents must ensure that the seat belt fits the child’s body shape. And this (very important!) detail can vary from one place to another in the same vehicle, but also differ from one type of vehicle to another. So, in a small car, your child might not need a booster seat, but in a larger one, they do.
To know if your child can sit without the help of a booster seat, the seat belt, once buckled, must pass over their hips and over the middle of their collarbone. It should also touch your child’s shoulder. If in doubt, you can once again seek the advice of a child passenger safety technician.
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