IMPORTANT NEWS
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.
Infant seats
designed
for babies from birth to 20 pounds (birth to 10 kg) and one year of age - rear
facing only
Convertible Safety seats
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
Booster seats
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. For more information see Booster Seat Basics
and Safe Kids Canada applauds Ontario Minister for introducing booster seat bill aimed at reducing injuries among young children.
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. See Travel News: National SAFE KIDS Campaign to Open 30 New Child Safety Seat Inspection Stations Across the Country as Data Reveals Incorrect Use of Child Safety Seats Still a Major Problem
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check that your car seat is approved if travelling to a
foreign country
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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
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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.
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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
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seat belts should fit low and tightly across child's hips in
booster seat.
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Children should always
be placed in rear seats and never
place rear facing infant seats in the front seat.
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No child under 12 should ever be seated in the front seat
with an air bag.
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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.
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Don't let children have latex
balloons, small toys or food
that can cause choking in the car.
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Teach children not to chew crayons - see Crayon
Safety.
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Never store a barbecue tank in the car,
especially during hot weather. See Barbecue Tanks and Charcoal Grills
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Ensure that young children and infants have
toys that are safe with no small pieces to choke on. See Safety tips for Buying Safe Toys and Using Toys Safely.
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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. See Travel Safety News - Preventing Heat Injury and Entrapment in Cars
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Have a emergency car kit with flashlight,
blankets, and basic tools.
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Use Car Seats in Airplanes - see
Tips on Flying with
Children and Car Seats from the National Safe Kids Campaign
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Make sure roof racks and luggage etc, carried
on the roof is secure.
Click the symbol to view games that can be
played in the car
For Further information on Car seat and Air Bag safety for
children see the following links:
Transport Canada has launched a new program called Car
Time 1-2-3-4 with a video on safe seating for children in cars and links and
information on the web site: http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety
/childsafe/cindex_e.htm
An American organization - National Safety Belt Coalition on
Child Safety Seats has a wealth of information on car seats including recall
notices and links to other sites about car seat safety on its web site:
http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/Child-Passenger-Safety.aspx
Click here for Tips on Motion Sickness
All Tips are offered as suggestions only
While we have tried to provide you with a
list of suggestions to help parents when travelling with
children to keep them safe, unfortunately, we can’t think
of everything and it is the responsibility of parents to
ensure their children’s safety.
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See Travel Safety News:
AAA
Reminds Motorists To Be Aware of Bicyclists
Data Show Older Children Dying More Frequently, Not Buckling Up in Car
Crashes, Says AAA Chicago
Tips on Flying with Children and Car Seats from the National Safe Kids
Campaign
Safe Kids Canada applauds Ontario Minister for introducing booster seat bill aimed at reducing injuries among young children
National SAFE KIDS Campaign to Open 30 New Child Safety Seat Inspection Stations Across the Country as Data Reveals Incorrect Use of Child Safety Seats Still a Major Problem
Tips for Renting a Car from Enterprise Rent-a-Car - Car Rental Agency
Booster Seat Basics
See the following sections for specific tips:
First Aid Safety Tips for Managing an Emergency from St. John's Ambulance
For Winter Driving Tips Click Below:
For Spring Car Care Tips Click Below:
For Hotel Safety Tips Click on
For Playground Safety Tips Click on
For Winter Holiday Safety Tips Click on
For Pool and Beach Safety Tips Click on
For Biking Safety Tips Click on
For Fire Safety Tips Click on
For Kids Club Safety Tips Click on
For Sun Safety Tips Click on
For First Aid Tips Click on
For In-line Skating Safety Tips Click on
For Safety Tips when visiting Petting Zoos and
Animal Farms Click Below:
For Safety Tips - Severe Allergic
Reactions Click on
For Tips on Buying Safe Toys Click
Below:
For Seasonal Holiday
Safety Tips Click Below:
For Safety Tips for Using Public Washrooms Click on
You may also want to check out
Travel
News - Safety Issues
Click below to return to Travel Safety
Tips
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