According to Transport Canada (2004) approximately 40% of all fatal car injuries in 2002 were the result of not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. Car collisions are also the number one cause of death for children 1 to 14 years of age. Read on to learn how to properly secure your child and yourself when using a car seat restraint or seat belt.

Safe Kids Canada recommends the following guidelines for car seat restraints and seat belts.

Use rear-facing car seats:
• from birth until at least 1 year of age
• up to 14 kg (30 lb)
• up to 94 cm (37 in)

Use forward-facing car seats:
• from at least 1 year of age until between the ages
of 4 and 5 depending on your child’s size
• up to 22 kg (48 lb)
• up to 119 cm (47 in)

Use booster seats:
• from approximately 4 or 5 years to 9 years of age.
• up to 36 kg (80 lb)
• up to 145 cm (57 in)

Seat belts:
• are made to fit people at least 145 cm tall (4 ft., 9 in.).
• the shoulder belt should be centred on an individual's shoulder and chest (not touching the neck).
• the lap belt should sit on an individual’s thighs (not rising up onto the stomach).
• the individual's knees should bend comfortably over the edge of the vehicle seat.

Wearing a seat belt can help reduce your chances of being seriously hurt or injured.

fyi

In Ontario, as of December 1, 2006, every vehicle is required to have as many seatbelts as passengers. For other provinces, refer to your Ministry of Transportation for seatbelt laws.

Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. (2006, December 1). One person, one seatbelt legislation now effective. Retrieved December 1, 2006, from http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2006/12/01/c2652.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html

Key References

Safe Kids Canada. (2006). Kids that click. Retrieved December 1, 2006,
from http://www.sickkids.ca/SKCForPartners/custom/ENKidsthatClick.pdf

Transport Canada. (2004). Road Safety Vision 2010. (Catalogue No. T45-1-2002-1E). Ottawa, ON: Queen’s Printer.