(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone about the importance of properly securing children in a motor vehicle.
Did you know that all children must be properly secured in a rear facing, forward facing or booster seat until they are at least 8 years old, 4’9†tall or 80 pounds?
Children weighing less than 20 pounds must be properly secured in a rear facing child seat. The seat must be tightly secured in the vehicle at a 45 degree angle. The harness must come from at or below the shoulders, lay flat across the body of the child and be tight enough that no more than 1 finger can be slid between the harness and the child. The chest clip should be at arm pit level.
Children who weigh 20 pounds but less than 40 pounds must be secured in a forward facing child seat. The forward facing seats must be tightly installed and a tether strap must be attached to an anchor that has been installed in the appropriate location in your vehicle.
The harness must come from at or above the shoulders, lay flat across the body of the child and be tight enough that no more than 1 finger can be slid between the child and the harness. The chest clip should be at arm pit level.
Once children have reached 40 pounds, they may be ready for a booster seat. A booster seat is a belt positioning tool that allows the seat belt to properly fit the child. A lap and shoulder seat belt system must be used with a booster seat. The seat belt must be properly latched the lap belt placed over the child’s hips and the shoulder belt needs to be tight across the front of the child’s body.
Once a child is 8 years old, 4’9†tall or 80 pounds they may be ready for a seat belt system.
Always check your vehicle manual to be sure you have the child seat installed in the correct positions in your vehicle. Also refer to the instruction manual that comes with your seat to ensure you are following the manufacturer’s instructions when you install the seat in your vehicle.
Never install a child seat in front of an active air bag. In fact, Transport Canada recommends that children under the age of 13 should not sit in front of an active air bag because air bags deploy at speeds that could potentially cause bodily harm or death to a child.
It is your responsibility to ensure children are properly secured in their child seats. Take the time to do it right!
For more information on the proper use and installation of child seats please refer to:
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/carseat/choose.shtml
http://www.infantandtoddlersafety.ca/