Every year, over 2500 kids between the ages of one and four years square measure blistered or killed in automobile collisions in Canada. several injuries or deaths will be prevented with the correct use of automobile seats and booster seats.
What style of seat ought to I use?
Infants ought to be in rear-facing automobile seats till they're a minimum of one year ancient and weigh ten kilo (22 lb). Rear-facing automobile seats ought to be used as long as your kid meets the burden and height limits within the manufacturer’s directions, albeit they're on the far side one year ancient. Don’t rush to maneuver them to consecutive stage. Even young toddlers square measure safer within the rear-facing position. Some rear-facing automobile seats will be used for youngsters up to twenty kilo (45 lb).
Once your kid has outgrown her rear-facing seat and is a minimum of ten kilo (22 lb) and older than twelve months, you'll be able to begin to use a forward-facing seat. Use it till your kid is a minimum of eighteen kilo (40 lb). Forward-facing automobile seats with higher weight limits square measure currently offered (up to thirty kilo [65 lb]) for larger toddlers and preschool-aged kids.
When your kid is a minimum of eighteen kilo (40 lb), he will move to a belt-positioning booster seat and use the vehicle’s lap-shoulder safety belt.
Don’t use your car’s regular safety belt till it fits your kid properly. this can be sometimes once your kid is roughly thirty six kilo (80 lb) in weight, and one hundred forty five cm (4 feet nine inches) tall.
All kids younger than thirteen years ancient ought to ride within the back seat of the automobile.
A child seat with base B ‘3-in-1’ convertible seat – infant/ child/booster seat C Infant/child/booster seat D Child/booster seat E low-cut booster seat F High-back booster seat G Combination (child/booster) seat – belt-positioning booster seat mode.
Before mistreatment your automobile seat:
Keep a duplicate of the manufacturer’s directions in your automobile and follow them rigorously. As several as eightieth to ninetieth of automobile seats square measure used incorrectly.
Make sure the seat is correct for your child’s weight and height.
The best place for a seat is within the middle of the rear seat.
When put in, the seat ought to move no over two.5 cm (1 inch) forward or aspect to aspect.
Check whether or not your native hearth, police or public health department includes a seat clinic wherever you'll be able to make certain your automobile seats square measure properly put in.
How do i take advantage of associate child or rear-facing automobile seat?
Your automobile could have the Universal Anchorage System (UAS or LATCH [lower anchors and tethers for children]) which will be accustomed secure your rear-facing seat. it's currently obligatory all told new models.
Check your vehicle owner’s manual for the seating positions which will be used with the UAS. Secure the seat mistreatment the UAS or the vehicle safety belt, rigorously following the vehicle manual and also the seat directions.
In some vehicles you wish to use the vehicle’s safety belt with a protection clip to firmly install a rear-facing seat.
The seat ought to be positioned at a 45° angle. If you can’t do that attributable to the slope of the vehicle’s seat, use a firm roll of material (sheet or towel) or a ‘pool noodle’ beneath the seat.
To secure your baby:
The harness straps should be cosy and rib at or simply below your baby’s shoulders.
The chest clip ought to be at bodily cavity level.
If over one finger fits between the shoulder harness and your baby’s bone, the harness is simply too loose.
The seat handle ought to be within the position suggested by the manufacturer.
If you utilize associate child carrier outside of the vehicle:
Keep your kid buckled in.
Don’t place the seat on a raised surface, like a table, as a result of it should fall.
Don’t leave your baby in an exceedingly seat to sleep.
How do i take advantage of a forward-facing automobile seat?
Your automobile could have the Universal Anchorage System (UAS or LATCH [lower anchors and tethers for children]) to secure your forward-facing seat. it's currently obligatory all told new models.
In some vehicles, you'll have to be compelled to use the vehicle’s safety belt with a protection clip to firmly install a forward-facing kid seat.
A prime tether strap should be additionally used on all forward-facing kid seats. A tether strap is connected to the highest of the seat associated mounted to an anchor that's fastened to the vehicle. you'll want one tether anchor for every forward-facing kid seat utilized in the vehicle.
If your vehicle doesn’t have a tether anchor, raise your vehicle dealer to put in one.
Thread the safety belt or UAS strap through the kid seat as shown within the seat’s directions.
Use your knee to knock down on the kid seat whereas you tighten the safety belt or UAS strap.
Attach the tether strap to carry the highest of the kid seat in situ and tighten the strap.
To secure your toddler:
The harness straps ought to be at or slightly on top of your child’s shoulders.
Only one finger ought to work between the harness strap and your child’s bone.
The chest clip ought to be at bodily cavity level.
How do i take advantage of a booster seat?
While seated within the booster seat, and with the lap-shoulder belt on, the ought toer portion of the safety belt should be positioned over the center of the bone so it doesn't bit your child’s neck.
The lap belt ought to be over the hips (pelvic bones), off from the abdomen.
Your kid ought to be able to bend her knees well over the sting of the seat.
Buckle the safety belt across the booster seat even once your kid isn’t with you. this may keep the seat in situ throughout a collision or sharp stop.
Is it okay to shop for a second hand automobile seat?
You shouldn’t obtain a second hand seat as a result of it should are in an exceedingly collision.
When ought to I replace my kid seat?
Many automobile seats currently have ending dates on them attributable to ‘plastic fatigue’ (parts get additional brittle or break easily).
Replace the seat once it's reached the ending date. If there's no ending date, replace the seat if it's ten years recent or if it shows any cracks or harm within the plastic.
Never use a seat that has been in an exceedingly automobile crash, even a minor one.
Are there the other safety tips?
Don’t use any add-on options for automobile seats that aren't provided by the manufacturer, like a bunting bag, head-hugger, receptacle or comfort strap. These will have an effect on the security of the seat and may be dangerous in an exceedingly collision.
If it's cold, tuck a blanket over your kid once he's secured. Don’t place something beneath or behind his body.
Never leave your kid alone within the automobile.
Always make sure that the protection clip remains connected to the seat once the UAS is employed to secure the seat. this permits for the clip to be offered if the seat has to be secured into a vehicle that doesn’t have the UAS.
Fill out and mail the registration card that comes along with your child’s seat. If there's a recall, the corporate are going to be able to contact you.