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Babies 0-6 months

Safety Guide

Safety on the road: School-aged children Booster seats

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Look for these symbols:

Click on the topics below: The facts…………………………………………………………….3 Buying a booster seat……………………………………………...4 Using a booster seat……………………………………………….7 Car seat events…………………………………..……………….11 Safety inside and around cars..…………………………………13 Resources…………………………………………………………15

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Did you know?

Learn an interesting fact.

Find safety tips, phone #’s, & websites.

Safety alert!

Look here for dangerous products.

Quick tip!

Parent chat

Read stories from other parents.

In this guide we call the child “he”. The information also

applies to girls.

Contents

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Car crashes are the number one cause of death and injury for children in Canada. Your child needs a booster seat to help keep him safe while travelling because:

he is small and his bones are still growing

it will keep the seat belt from sitting across his neck and belly

The facts…

It’s the law… In Ontario, a child can use a booster seat if he weighs over 40 lbs (18 kg). He must use a booster seat until he is at least:

80 lbs (36 kg) or,

4 feet 9 inches (145 cm) or,

8 years of age If a driver does not follow this rule they can be charged with a fine and 2 demerit points.

Canadian Safety Standards All booster seats in Canada must have a Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) label. This tells you that your booster seat meets current Canadian safety rules. It is illegal to import or use a booster seat that does not meet Canadian standards.

Booster seats keep children 60% safer than seat belts. Only 28% of Canadian children between the ages of 4-8 years use booster seats.

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Did you know?

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Which type of booster seat should I buy? Booster seats are made for children between 40 – 120 lbs (18 – 54 kg). Check the booster seat for specific weight and height limits.

Buying a booster seat

Combination Positions: Forward-facing, booster seat Best for: Preschoolers

Convertible (3-in-1)

Positions: Rear-facing, forward-facing, booster seat Best for: Toddlers, Preschoolers, School-aged children

High-back Positions: Booster seat only Best for: School-aged children

No-back Positions: Booster seat only Best for: School-aged children

Safety alert!

A no-back booster seat can only be used in a vehicle that has a moveable head rest to support the child’s head and neck.

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Which booster seat is best? The best booster seat is the one that fits your child and your vehicle. Choose a booster seat that:

can be easily installed in your vehicle makes it easy to secure and remove your child fits your child’s current weight and height has higher weight and height limits to grow with your child

Are used booster seats safe? Transport Canada does not recommend used booster seats because you may not know the history of the booster seat. If you choose a used booster seat make sure that it:

has a CMVSS label

has not been in a car crash

has not been dropped on the ground

has not been recalled

has not expired

has all of its parts and manual

has no added pieces

is in good condition

no marks on plastic

no ripped fabric

Buying a booster seat

Most booster seats expire within 5-9 years. Check Transport Canada to see how long your seat is good for. (www.tc.gc.ca).

Quick tip!

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Answer these “True or False” questions to see how much you know about car seats.

1. A child can sit in the front seat of a vehicle if he uses a booster seat.

2. A booster seat helps to properly position the seat belt by

raising the child up. 3. Booster seats cannot be used with a lap-only seat belt. 4. It is okay to use a seat belt adjuster if the seat belt comes

across the child’s neck. 5. In Ontario, it is mandatory for booster seats to be tethered.

T F

T F

T F

T F

T F

See page 12 for answers

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Test your knowledge

Mail in the registration card that came with the booster seat to the manufacturer…They will contact you if there are any problems or recalls. Check for booster seat recalls at: www.tc.gc.ca 1-800-333-0371

Quick tip!

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Where should I install my child’s booster seat? All children 12 years old and under should sit in the back seat of your vehicle away from airbags.

Booster seats need to be placed in a spot with a lap & shoulder seat belt.

All vehicles are different…Read your vehicle manual and your car seat manual to find out where the safest spot is for your child’s booster seat.

Using a booster seat

Is your child ready?

A booster seat is for a child who has outgrown the weight or height limits of his forward-facing car seat.

Keep your child in his car seat as long as possible.

The law in Ontario says a child must weigh at least 40 lbs (18 kg) before using a booster seat.

If your vehicle does not have a back seat, you will have to turn off or deactivate the passenger airbag before putting the booster seat in the passenger seat. Read your vehicle manual and visit www.tc.gc.ca.

Quick tip!

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How do I install a booster seat?

Read your manuals Always read your vehicle manual and your booster seat manual before installing your child’s seat. They will tell you where and how to correctly install the booster seat. Some manuals can be found on the Internet.

Learn how to install a booster seat Handout: Booster seats (Stage 3) Transport Canada

www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/kids

Installation video: Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. www.mto.gov.on.ca

Installation video: Infant & Toddler Safety Association. www.infantandtoddlersafety.ca/

Get your booster seat checked Sign up to have your child’s booster seat inspected by a certified car seat technician. See page 12 or call Health Connections (905-546-3550) for more details.

Remember to:

fill out and send the registration card that came with the booster seat

check your booster seat for recalls

Using a booster seat

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How do I secure my child in a booster seat?

When can my child use a seat belt only?

Using a booster seat

Keep your child in his booster seat until he reaches the maximum height or weight limits.

The booster seat keeps the seat belt across the strongest parts of your child’s body.

Some booster seats allow children to use them until 120 lbs (54 kg).

The law in Ontario says children cannot come out of a booster seat until they are at least:

4 feet 9 inches (145 cm) tall or, 80 lbs (36 kg) or, 8 years old

Make sure the:

middle of his ears are lower than the top of the booster seat

seat belt guide is at or above his shoulder

shoulder belt lies across his shoulder

lap belt lies across his hips

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Only use products that come with your booster seat. Add-on products or

things sold separately from your booster seat decrease the safety of the seat. Your child can be hurt in a crash.

Check your vehicle for loose items. These things can seriously hurt your child or other passengers during a sudden stop or collision:

sun shade groceries & other loose items (keep these in your trunk)

Keep your car smoke-free. In Ontario, it is against the law to smoke in a vehicle with passengers under 16 years old.

Role model road safety habits. Always wear your seatbelt. Children like to copy things that you do.

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Extra Tips

Using a booster seat

Children who come out of a booster seat too early can be seriously hurt in a crash. They can:

break their spinal cord

become paralyzed

damage organs in their stomach

Safety alert!

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The City of Hamilton offers car seat clinics and evening education sessions for parents and caregivers.

Car Seat Clinic What is it? Have your child’s booster seat checked by a team of

certified car seat technicians.

Where? Clinics are held at different locations across the City of Hamilton.

When? Clinics are run throughout the year. Appointments are 30 minutes long.

How much? There is no cost. The clinics are FREE!

How do I register? Call Health Connections at 905-546-3550.

Evening Education Session What is it? Learn how to install your child’s booster seat by a team of

certified car seat technicians. After the session you will have time to install your seat. The technician will briefly check your seat before you leave.

Where? Education sessions are held at different locations across the City of Hamilton.

When? Sessions are held throughout the year. Sessions are approximately 90 minutes long.

How much? There is no cost. The education sessions are FREE!

How do I register? Call Health Connections at 905-546-3550.

Injuries are predictable and preventable. Take action to keep your child safe.

Car seat events

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1. False. A child 12 years old or younger should

never sit in the front seat. 2. True. Booster seats raise the child up so the

shoulder belt rests on the child’s shoulder and the lap belt lies across the child’s hips.

3. True. All booster seats must be used with a lap

& shoulder belt. 4. False. Seat belt adjusters are not safe. To use a

booster seat the seat belt must fit the child properly. Small children may need to sit in a forward-facing car seat for longer.

5. False. A booster seat should not be tethered

unless the booster seat manual says it should.

Answers

Parent chat

“A booster seat saved my child’s life! My 8-year-old daughter Kaia was begging me to let her come out of her booster seat on her 8th birthday. I was worried because the shoulder belt was coming across her neck. I told her that we would check again in 2 months. A few days later we got in a bad crash during a snow storm. Thankfully, Kaia was not hurt. The doctor told me that she has seen many kids become badly injured from “seat belt syndrome” and the booster seat is what kept my daughter safe! ”

- Andrew

Test your knowledge

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Cars and other motor vehicles can be a great help to parents and caregivers. They can also be very dangerous. Never leave your child alone inside or around a car.

Children can die or get very sick from being left inside a car… even with the windows open. Your child is at risk because:

he is more sensitive to heat than an adult

his body is slower at controlling temperature

he can quickly become dehydrated (lose body fluids) or get heat stroke (body becomes too hot)

Every year in Canada, 780 children have to stay in the hospital after being hit by a car. Your child is at risk because:

he does not fully understand speed or dangers on the road

he is small and drivers may not see him he might not see or hear cars on the road

Safety inside & around cars

Power windows. He can strangle or become caught in a power window. Power locks. May allow him to enter or leave a car when it is not safe. Trunks. Children love to explore. He can suffocate if he crawls into a trunk. Distracted driving. Parents and caregivers may be easily distracted by children or other items. This is very dangerous and can cause a crash.

Other dangers

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Take action to protect your child

Always take your child with you when you leave a vehicle.

Always lock your vehicle doors and trunk after driving. Use the vehicle’s child lock option if available.

Keep your keys out of sight and reach from children.

Check the temperature of his booster seat and seat belt before you put him in.

Do not use things that might distract you while driving like cell phones.

Always pull over if your child needs your help or is distracting you while driving.

Safety inside & around cars

Teach him about safety around cars:

always cross the street with an adult hold hands when you cross the street stop, look and listen for cars on roads and driveways cross at corners, not between cars learn traffic signals use sidewalks cars are not toys- do not play inside or around them

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Want more information?

Transport Canada 1-800-333-0371 www.tc.gc.ca

Ministry of Transportation of Ontario 1-800-268-4686 (Service Ontario) www.mto.gov.on.ca

Safekids Canada 1-888-SAFE-TIP (723-3874) www.safekidscanada.ca

Infant and Toddler Safety Association 1-888-570-0181 www.infantandtoddlersafety.ca

Safety Drives Us (Multicultural) 905-487-1320 www.safetydrivesus.ca

Resources

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You are your child’s best protection against injury!