Car Seats

4 out of every 5 children are not correctly buckled up in their seats.
Motor Vehicle Collisions are the number one cause of death for children between the ages of one to nine
75% of crash related deaths and serious injuries can be prevented by the correct use of an infant or child car seat
Nearly half of Canadians do not use booster seats for their children once they outgrow forward-facing car seats.
More than half of Canadians allow children under 12 to sit in the front seat. This is not a safe position, especially if there is a passenger side air bag.
(Infant and Toddler Safety Association, Safe Kids Canada)
View installation instructions of all the different types of car seats or order a DVD copy of Safe Kids Canada: Kids that Click

Types of Child Seats - Follow the links for detailed discussions on the following:

How to safely use car seats - general information

It is important to read and follow the manufacturer's instructions for both your vehicle and your car seats. If you do not have the instructions, contact the manufacturer for a copy.
All car seats (Rear-Facing and Forward-Facing) and children under 12 years of age should NEVER be in the front seat if there is a passenger-side air bag.
Make sure all passengers are buckled up.
When a child safety seat or booster seat is not in use, secure it with the vehicle seat belt
Store all objects safely. Items that are not secured can harm passengers if there is a sudden stop or collision.
Hard toys can also cause serious injury in a collision when they become airborne. Children should only play with soft toys when riding in a car.
Avoid car seat toys or attachments that could cause an injury if a child fell against them.

Some seat belt systems need a locking clip to keep the seat belt tight. Consult your owner's manual to see if your seat belt system requires one.
Install the car seat in the back seat where it is safest. The middle of the back seat is the safest place in a vehicle. If you do not have a back seat, a car seat can be placed in the passenger side of the front seat PROVIDED THERE IS NO AIRBAG OR THE AIRBAG HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. Consult your vehicle's manual to see if the passenger side air bag can be turned off. To ensure that the seat is compatible with your vehicle seats and belt system, ask the store clerk to try the seat in your vehicle before you buy it.

You should not be able to get more than one finger between the harness and the child's collarbone.
If the car seat comes with a chest clip, use it at armpit level.
All straps and harnesses must be doubled back if appropriate. Some harness systems do not have doubled back straps (consult your manual).
Remove any knots or twists in the harness belts so they are flat against the child's body.

All car seats now sold in Canada have an expiry date. Transport Canada strongly advises to follow each car seat manufacturer’s expiry date or useful life period. Follow this link to Transport Canada for further info or if your car seat does not have an expiry date label or stamp.
Routinely check the car seat. If you find cracks, torn padding, or plastic discolorations, replace the seat.
If the vehicle is in a collision (even a minor one) the seat must be replaced.
Never place a used car seat on the curb for garbage pick up or sell it at a garage sale.
Learn more about used car seats