Parents need to do a better job of buckling in
their children.
It’s been decades
since the use of child safety seats became law in Canada. In fact, Ontario
first passed those laws 40 years ago! And while most parents understand the
importance of these safety devices, recent inspections indicate that guidance
is still needed on how to properly use them.
According to the
Canadian Paediatric Society, about 80 percent of car seats are installed incorrectly.[1]
The most common mistakes included not securing the seat tightly to the vehicle,
not tightening the seat’s harness properly, and not positioning the chest clip
at armpit level. 
These mistakes
can literally be fatal, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)[2]
reports that properly installed child safety seats reduce the risk of death by
71 percent for infants younger than 1 year old and by 54 percent for toddlers ages 1 to 4
years. The NHTSA also reports that while 96 percent of parents believe that they have correctly installed
their car seat, research shows that only three out of every 10 children are properly
restrained.
Steps to proper installation
So, what can you
do to make sure you are using your car seat correctly? In addition to choosing
a seat that properly fits your vehicle and carefully reading and following the manufacturer’s
instructions, Transport Canada
offers these tips for car seat installation:
- Check
the label on your car seat to make sure it is age- and size-appropriate for
your child.
- Always
place a car seat in the backseat of a vehicle. Children should remain in the
backseat until age 13.
- Keep
children in rear-facing car seats as long as possible – at least until age one,
but preferably until they reach the height or weight limits of the seat – before
moving them to a forward-facing seat.
- Once
you have installed the car seat, give it a shake from its base. A
properly-installed car seat shouldn’t move more than one inch in any direction.
- After
placing the harness around your child, make sure that it is tight and that the
straps are coming through the proper slots. The harness is tight enough and the
chest clip properly placed if you cannot pinch any extra webbing at your child’s
shoulder.
For added
assurance, parents can discuss and examine their installation with a certified
technician at a car seat inspection station. Most communities host such
stations periodically at places such as car dealerships or store parking lots.
To find a
station near you, check the Transport Canada website
or call your local police or fire department’s non-emergency number, local
hospital or highway safety office.
Moving beyond the car seat
Once a child
graduates from a car seat, the proper use of safety devices remains important,
as motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death for children in the
United States and Canada.
That’s why
children in Canada are required to use a booster seat until they are at least 8
years old, or until they reach a height of 57 inches. Booster seats work by
raising your child so that the shoulder belt fits properly across the hips and
chest. A properly fitting belt rests on the upper thighs and chest, not the
belly and neck. For older children and adults, the use of a seat belt cuts the
risk of serious injury in half.
In the case of
motor vehicle accidents, an ounce of prevention is worth far more than a pound
of cure.
[1] Transportation of Infants and Children in Mortor Vehicles, Canadian Paediatric Society
[2] Car Seat Recommendations for Children, NHTSA