According to the Ontario Ministry of
Transportation, the Booster Seat Legislation
could be effective fall 2005 with the
following booster seat use requirements:
- 18 kg to 36
kg (40 to 80 lb.)
- Standing height of
less than 145 cm (4 ft. 9 inches)
- Up to the age of 8
years.
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Booster Seats
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Research shows that the booster
seat stage is the most ignored
and misunderstood stage of safe
passenger travel for children.
Many parents and caregivers
mistakenly believe that once a
child is “too big” or “too old”
for a forward –facing child
seat, they are safe when
restrained only by the vehicle’s
seat belt system. |
Seat belts are designed for
adults and older, larger
children. Another
misunderstanding is that a
booster seat is suitable for use
by younger children instead of a
forward-facing child seat. These
misconceptions have resulted in
children receiving severe
injuries especially to the
abdominal area and spine,
because children are too small
for seat belts. Booster seats
correct the ‘fit’ of lap and
shoulder belts and help to avoid
injuries. These injuries occur
when the lap belt is up on the
abdomen instead of on the hip
bones.
Some booster seats on the market
today have an upper weight limit
of 40 kg (100 lb). It is
important to follow the label
and use the booster only for the
recommended weight and height
set by the manufacturer.
A child should use a booster
seat if he or she cannot sit
comfortably all the way against
the vehicle seat back, if the
knees cannot bend comfortably
over the vehicle seat, or the
shoulder strap of the seat belt
crosses the face or neck. |
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When using a booster seat, make
sure that your child's head is
supported by the top of the
booster or the vehicle seat, the
shoulder strap crosses between
your child's shoulder and neck
(not the face), and the lap belt
crosses low over the hips (not
the stomach). Do not use seat
belt adjusters.
High back and no back boosters
should be used with lap/shoulder
belt combinations. Abdominal
shield boosters should be used
with lap-only belts. Note:
Abdominal shield boosters are no
longer being manufactured.
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High Back Booster |
No Back Booster |
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