Q1. What does the law say about rear-facing car seats?

A: In Ontario, children are required to be harnessed in a rear-facing position in a car seat until they weigh 20 lbs (9 kg). We recommend that children be kept rear-facing as long as possible and not be moved into a forward facing position until:

• The child weighs at least 20 lbs (9 kg)
• The child is one-year of age
• The child can walk unassisted

Some seats are able to be rear-facing up to 40 lbs (18 kg). Refer to the car seat instructions.

Q2. How does the law apply to other people transporting my child (i.e. babysitters and/or grandparents)?

A: Parents, caregivers, grandparents and babysitters who care for a child have to use a car seat or booster seat to transport a child under the age of 8. It’s the driver’s responsibility to ensure that all passengers under the age of 16 are properly restrained. Drivers who fail to ensure that children are properly secured may be fined $240 and two demerit points.

Q3. Which car seat model is the safest?

A: All car seats sold in Canada must meet the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS). The safer model is the one that will fit the tightest or most secure in your car when used according to the car seat instructions.

Q4. When do I move my child out of one seat and into another?

A: A child should be moved out of the specific seat if he or she is over either the weight or height limit for the seat. You must move the child to the appropriate seat that meets his or her height and weight requirements.

Q5. When should I turn my child forward-facing?

A: It’s recommended that a child remain rear facing as long as possible in a seat that will accommodate the highest weight and height limit possible. A child can move to a forward facing position when all of these criteria are met:

• The child weighs at least 22 lbs (10 kg)
• The child is one-year old
• The child can walk unassisted

Q6. Do I need to use a locking clip? Where can I buy one?

A: Your vehicle owner’s manual will have information on the type of seat belts that are installed in your vehicle and should specify whether or not you need to use a locking clip with a car seat. Most car seats come with a locking clip and they are also available through the car seat manufacturer or retailer.

Q7. Where is the safest place to put my car seat in my car?

A: The middle, back position is considered the safer place because it is furthest away from any possible point of impact. A rear-facing car seat should never be placed in front of an active airbag. While the back seat is safer, it may be necessary on occasion to put a child in the front seat. The front seat should only be used if all these criteria are met:

• There is no passenger airbag or it has been deactivated
• The car seat can be properly tethered (if forward-facing)
• The vehicle seat has been moved as far back from the dashboard as possible

Q8. No matter how much I try, I just can’t get the car seat tight enough. What is the problem?

A: Unfortunately, some car seats don’t fit well with some vehicles and no matter how hard you try, you will not be able to get the seat tight enough. Try installing the car seat in a different seating position in the back seat. If that doesn’t work, keep the receipt and box for the seat and see if it can be exchanged for another one that fits your vehicle.

Q9. How should I dispose of my old car seat?

A: In order to prevent someone else from using an old car seat that may be unsafe, it’s important to dispose of your old car seat properly. First remove the padding, harnessing, tether strap and any other pieces and cut them up into smaller pieces so they can’t be reused. Place these in a regular black garbage bag. Then place the hard shell portion of the car seat in a separate black garbage bag. Put both garbage bags out with your regular garbage or take the used car seat to your nearest recycling depot.

Q10. The Infant-Child-Booster (3-in-1) seats seem like a very economical option when purchasing a car seat. Is there anything I should be aware of when using this seat?

A: There are many infant-child-booster seats on the market. This seat is an economical option since it can accommodate a child from birth to up to100 lbs (45 kg), so theoretically, a parent would only need to purchase one car seat.

However, this type of seat may have some disadvantages. It’s often too big to tightly secure a newborn — infant-only seats provide the best fit for a newborn. This car seat can’t be removed from the car and used as a carrier like an infant-only seat.

Finally, some of these seats can accommodates a child up to a limited height -- 40 inches (102 cm) in the forward-facing harnessed mode. Therefore, if your child is under 40 lbs.(18 kg) but over 40 inches (102 cm), this seat can’t be used since the child has outgrown the height limit for a forward-facing seat but has not yet met the weight requirement to be used as a booster seat. The child will need to use a child-booster seat that will accommodate his or her height.

Q11. I am pregnant and feeling very overwhelmed by the information on car seats. Where should I begin?

A: A good place to begin is the page for expectant mother’s Buying Your Baby’s First Car Seat, which will give you valuable information on car seat safety for your baby. You can always call Peel Public Health.

Q12. How do I know if my child is in the wrong seat for his/her age, weight, height and/or development?

A: Always refer to the car seat instructions

• Your child must move to the next car seat if he/she is over either the weight or height limit of the seat.
• Be aware that you will need to make adjustments to the car seat as your child grows.

Remember a child should not move to a forward-facing position until they weigh at least 22lbs (10 kg), are one year of age and are walking unassisted.

Q13. How tight do I need to have my harness strap?

A. Harness straps should fit snugly. If the harness is too loose, the child could come out of the seat in a crash.

• In a rear-facing position, you should only be able to fit one finger between the shoulder harness and the baby’s collarbone.

Q14. What can happen to my child if the chest clip is used incorrectly?

A. The chest clip keeps the harness from slipping off the child’s shoulders. If the harness straps are off the shoulder, the child could eject out of the seat in the event of a crash.

• It should be positioned level with the child’s armpit.
• Check the car seat manufacturer’s instructions to make sure the chest clip is threaded correctly.

Q15. Can I use add-on head huggers (a head-hugger that does not come with the car seat) that I received at a baby shower?

A. No. An add-on head hugger should not be used unless it comes with the car seat. Never put any padding under or behind an infant. The padding can compress in a crash, leaving slack room in the harness, in turn not holding the child securely in the seat.

• For head support, a small rolled towel can be placed on either side of the baby’s head or body.

Q16. What position does the carry handle or canopy need to be in when driving?

A. Refer to the car seat instructions for correct positioning of the carrying handle. For most infant only car seats, the carrying handle must be in a locked down position when driving.

Q17. How can I get my car seat tighter in the vehicle?

A. When tightening the seat belt, use your knee and your weight to push the car seat down and into the vehicle upholstery. Then pull the seat belt as tight as possible.

• Every attempt should be made to have no more than an inch of movement from side to side and front to back.
• It may be helpful to have a second person assist with the installation, since it’s often a two-person job.
• A locking clip may be required to prevent the seat belt from loosening (check your vehicle owner’s manual to see if you require the use of one).

Q18. Is my car seat safe in the front passenger seat with an active airbag?