CAR SAFETY TIPS

CAR SAFETY TIPS 

• NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN IN PARKED CAR -  HEAT IN A PARKED CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS

 

It is not just enough to make sure that everyone in the vehicle has a seat belt.  As parents we need to ensure that each occupant and especially children are secured in a proper and safe seat.  This page contains some general safety tips for car travel and is meant as a guideline only.   For more specific recommendations and recall notices please follow the links at the end of this page.

• make sure that you are using the correct type and size of seat for the child - the following is a brief outline of the National Safety Belt Coalition recommendations (see link below for more details):
  

         designed for babies from birth to 20 pounds (birth to 10 kg) and one year of age - rear facing only 

convert from rear facing to forward facing for toddlers weighing at least 20 pounds to 40 pounds (10 kg to 18kg) until they are approximately four years of age

 

 

used for children who have outgrown Convertible Safety seats but not quite ready for seat belts. - Transport Canada's recommendations are "when children are between 4 and 8 years old, booster seats are the safest way for them to travel, because they position the vehicle's seat belt properly over the child's body"  This is usually between18 kg to 27 kg or 60 to 80 lbs. 

When using boosters,  Transport Canada advises you to remember the following:

1. Always adjust the seat belt low and snugly over the hips, not across the abdomen where it could do severe damage in the case of a collision.

2. Never place the shoulder belt behind the child or even under the child's arm.

Safety Belts

used when children are large enough to fit an adult belt safely - lap belt should fit snugly and properly across upper thighs and shoulder strap should cross over shoulder and chest.

Some vehicles may have child restraint systems built into the vehicle seat bench.  Consult Vehicle manual for age and weight limits. 

When shopping for a car seat, check that the seat is appropriate for height, weight and muscular development of your child and allows space for child to grow.

• ensure that all child safety seats are properly secured in the vehicle - experts believe that approximately 80% of all safety seats are not properly secured in the vehicle - read the safety seat manual as well as the vehicle manual - SOME VEHICLES are equipped with Automatic Restraint Systems and child seats can not be used with this system (these type of belts wrap around the passenger when door closes).  Continuous Loop Lap/Shoulder belts need a locking clip to keep seat firmly in place.  
• check that your car seat is approved if travelling to a foreign country
• use seat belt to fasten car seat safety in back of car and make sure belt is tight.
• always use a tether strap and anchor bolt to fasten seat in car.
• make sure that child's head is protected by back of car seat or head rest - don't use a booster seat if the middle of child's ear is above seat of car
• Check car manual to see if seat belts need locking clip and use it to stop seat belt from coming loose.
• it is recommended that you purchase a new car seat for each child  - NEVER USE A SEAT THAT IS 10 YEARS OLD OR OLDER
• check for recall notices periodically -  see links below for recall notices.
• Any seat that has been in an accident should be discarded properly.
• take advantage of any safety programs that check the installation of car seats in your area.
• make sure that all children are properly secured in their seats  - infant shoulder harness should be tight and you should only be able to put 2 fingers between your child's chest and harness
• seat belts should fit low and tightly across child's hips in booster seat.
• Children should always be placed in rear seats and never place rear facing infant seats in the front seat.  
• No child under 12 should ever be seated in the front seat with an air bag.
• It is best never to place infant car seat carriers on tables, but if you do, never be more than an arm's length away and never turn your back on baby.
• Never place infant car seat carriers on soft furniture or beds - there is a risk that the seat can turn over and the infant can suffocate.
• Don't let children have  small toys or food that can cause choking in the car.  
• Teach children not to chew crayons -
• Never store a barbecue tank in the car, especially during hot weather.  
• Ensure that young children and infants have toys that are safe with no small pieces to choke on.
• Lock door while travelling and when you leave the car - but make sure you have the keys first.  Never leave children in a car alone.