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> Infant and Child Health
Booster Seats
What is a booster seat?
A booster seat is a firm cushion of foam or plastic that lifts the child up to improve the position of the vehicle seat belt. Booster seats should have indents, guides, or arm rests that act as hip bones to keep the lap belt down low on the pelvis, touching the thighs. Children do not develop a strong hip structure until about 9-10 years of age. Most booster seats also include a shoulder belt guide or comfort clip that can be used to pull the shoulder belt slightly downward so that it is centred on the child's shoulder and chest. There are backless, high back, and removable back booster seats.
Why does my child need a booster seat?
Children outgrow a typical car seat when they weigh 18 kg (40 lb). This is usually about 4 years of age. But they are still too small for seat belts to fit properly since seat belts are designed to fit the adult body. As a result, children over 4 years of age have a higher rate of injury than younger children.
The key to using a seat belt safely is positioning. If it is used improperly, a seat belt may not provide any protection, or the belt itself can injure a child. For example, children who put the shoulder belt behind them or under their arm can suffer serious injuries to the head, internal organs, or spine in a crash. Similarly, if the lap belt is across the abdomen, serious internal injuries can result. To be more comfortable, small children tend to slouch until their legs hang down over the edge of the vehicle seat. This causes the seat belt to ride up across the soft abdomen.
Booster seats raise a child up so that the seat belt is properly positioned over the child's body.
What does the law say about booster seats?
Effective September 1, 2005, all drivers must use booster seats when transporting children weighing 18 to 36 kg (40 to 80 lb), with a standing height of less than 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches) or under 8 years of age.
Therefore, a child must be in a booster seat while traveling until they reach one of the following:- 36 kg (80lb) in weight
- 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches) in height
- 8 years of age
All drivers transporting children in vehicles who are not properly restrained in an appropriate booster seat will receive a $110.00 ticket and 2 demerit points.
Which type of booster seat does my child need?
All booster seats used in Canada must meet Canadian safety standards. All booster seats are equally safe, when used correctly. The safest seat is the one that best fits your child and your vehicle, and is easiest for you to use.
There are three types of booster seats: backless, high back, and removable back. They are designed for children over 18 kg (40 lb) up to 36 and 45 kg (80 to 100 lb), depending on the model. They all must be used with lap-shoulder belts. Whichever model of booster seat that you choose, make sure that you try it with your child in your vehicle(s), and that you can return it for a full refund if it is not appropriate.
Backless booster seats are lightweight and less expensive ($27-40) which makes them convenient for car pooling, school trips, driving around town, etc. They are harder to see and may feel more "grown-up" than high back boosters for the older child. They have arm rests or guides that act as "hip bones" and keep the lap belt properly positioned on the thighs. Some come with a strap to lower the shoulder belt so that it is centred on the shoulder. Backless booster seats work well as long as the child is able to sit upright throughout the trip and the head is supported by the vehicle seat back or head restraint. If the backless booster seat raised the child so that the middle of his ear is above the vehicle's seat back or head restraint, he could be injured. If this is the case, you should use a high back booster seat.
High back booster seats are fairly lightweight, but more expensive than backless models ($50-90). They have arm rests or guides that act as "hip bones" to keep the lap belt properly positioned on the thighs. They also have a shoulder belt comfort positioner to keep the belt off the child's neck. The better models have an open design of shoulder belt guide. This allows the seat belt to retract properly after the child leans forward to pulls on the belt. High back booster seats provide head protection for the child if the vehicle seat back is low. Most models have side "wings" which provide some support for a sleeping child.
Removable back boosters are both a high back and a backless booster. This type is ideal for use in a wide range of vehicles. They have adjustable head rests that can grow with your child. The head rest helps keep a sleeping child positioned properly and will also position the shoulder belt correctly without preventing it from retracting. The removable back boosters also have the guides to position the lap belt properly on a child.
What if my vehicle only has lap belts?
The abdominal shield style booster seats, which were designed for use with lap belts, are no longer sold. You will not be ticketed for not using a booster seat if your vehicle has only lap belts. You can:
- restrain the child with the lap belt, ensuring that it is worn firmly against the body and touching the thighs;
- put the child in the front seat of your vehicle and use a booster seat with the lap/shoulder belt, as long as you do not have an air bag;
- use an older model of abdominal shield booster seat with the lap belt according to the manufacturer's instructions. Never use a booster seat with a lap belt only unless permitted by the booster seat manufacturer.
How can I tell when my child is big enough to use a seat belt without a booster seat?
The key to using a seat belt is positioning. The lap belt should be across the upper thighs, not up on the abdomen. The shoulder belt should be centred on the shoulder and chest, not across the neck or face. Since seat belts are designed to fit the adult body, a child needs to be the size of a small adult before moving to the seat belt alone.
To best protect your child while traveling, you will likely need to go beyond the legal requirements as outlined in the Highway Traffic Act. For your child's best protection, a booster seat should be used until all of the factors below are met:
- the child is at least 9 years of age (for pelvic development)
- the child has a sitting height of 74 cm (29 inches); is at least 1.45 m (4 feet 9 inches) tall
- the child can sit all the way back against the seat back with knees bent comfortably at the edge of the seat
- the lap belt rests across the upper thighs
- the shoulder belt is centred on the shoulder and chest, and
- the child can stay seated like this for the whole trip.
Should I use a locking clip with my booster seat?
No. The locking clip could injure a child in a booster seat if the metal clip comes in contact with the child's body during a crash. Locking clips are used for car seat to keep the seat belt tight when a vehicle has a continuous loop lap/shoulder belt with a sliding latchplate. The booster seat is designed to allow a child to wear the lap/shoulder belt just as an adult would.
What if my child is too tall for a car seat but doesn't weigh enough for a booster seat?
If your child is not yet 18 kg (40 lb), he or she should go into a child/booster seat that can accommodate a taller child. These restraints are both a forward-facing car seat and a high back booster seat. Since they use the taller shell of a high back booster, some models can accommodate children who are too tall for an infant/child (convertible) seat, but are not 18 kg (40 lb). As a forward-facing car seat, these restraints use a five-point harness system and are tethered.
Using a Booster Seat Safely
Always read the booster seat instructions and your vehicle owner's manual carefully before installing a booster seat.
Install the booster seat in the back seat.
Encourage your child to sit up straight. A child slumped over the side of a booster seat could be injured in a sudden stop or crash.
Buckle the booster seat in when your child is not in it so that the empty booster will not fly around in a crash.
Never use pillows, books, or towels to boost a child in place of a booster seat. In a collision, they will compress, creating slack in the seat belt. The seat belt could ride up on the child's abdomen, or the child could be ejected.
Remember, a booster seat is not a substitute for a car seat for children under 18 kg (40 lb).
Other Helpful Resources
Pamphlets/Resources
Keep Kids Safe: Car Time 1-2-3-4 (PDF)
A booklet produced by Transport Canada. It tells you about the four stages of child safety in vehicles and gives you simple instructions and tips on making your car safe for your child.
Make Every Ride A Safe Ride
Designed to help you choose the right car seat for your child, according to age, weight, and height.
Organizations
Transport Canada
Safe Kids Canada
Infant and Toddler Safety Association
Kitchener, Ontario
Phone 519-570-0181
For more information, contact Health Line at 519-271-7600 ext 267. Listowel area residents call 1-877-271-7348.
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For more information, contact Health Line at 519-271-7600 ext 267.
Listowel area residents call 1-877-271-7348.
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