Baby Car Seat Laws: Ontario's Safety Timeline

In Ontario, the law requires that all children under the age of 16 are properly seated and wearing a seatbelt. The onus is on the driver to ensure that children under their care are safely secured, and failure to do so can result in fines and demerit points. The type of seat required depends on the child's age, weight, and height. There are three main types of car seats: infant car seats, front-facing car seats, and booster seats. Infant car seats are rear-facing and are required for newborns up to 20 pounds or 9 kg. Once a child outgrows this, they can move to a front-facing car seat with a five-point harness, which is required until they reach 40 pounds or 18 kg. After this, a booster seat is required until the child reaches 8 years of age, 80 pounds or 36 kg, or 4'9 tall.

Infant car seats

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing and using an infant car seat. Firstly, it is important to choose a car seat that meets the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and is approved by Canadian regulations. Look for the National Safety Mark on the seat, which indicates that it complies with these standards. Secondly, check the expiry date of the car seat before purchasing, as they typically last for about five to eight years. Thirdly, when installing the car seat, follow the manufacturer's guidelines and your car's manual for proper installation and use. Finally, ensure that your baby is securely restrained in the car seat, with the harness straps flat and snug.

Once your child outgrows the infant car seat, they can move on to a forward-facing toddler seat, which has a special harness seat belt that provides better protection in a collision than a standard seat belt. The law in Ontario requires children to be secured in a toddler seat until they reach a weight of 40 pounds or 18 kg.

Front-facing car seats

In Ontario, car seats are divided into three stages, with Stage 2 being a forward-facing seat. This type of car seat is for toddlers and young children, and is equipped with a five-point harness. The minimum requirement for children to use a forward-facing car seat is when they weigh between 9kg and 18kg (20-40 lbs). This type of seat installation must always be done with the rear tether strap in use so that it doesn't lift away from the car's seat back in a crash.

Forward-facing child seats are designed with a special harness seat belt that is better for protecting young children in a collision than standard seat belts, which are designed for adults. The law states that children should be in toddler seats from 20 to 40 pounds or 9kg to 18kg.

When installing a forward-facing child seat, the harness straps need to be coming from the slot at or above the child's shoulders. Check that the straps are straight and do not twist or fold. The harness should be snug so that you can't pinch any excess webbing. For forward-facing child seats, fasten the top tether strap, which is located on the rear of the child seat, to the appropriate anchor point in the vehicle.

It is important to pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations on use. The seat you purchase may be designed for children of a much larger weight, which can offer better protection for longer.

Children may begin wearing a seatbelt once they are able to wear it properly and if any one of the following criteria is met:

• The child turns eight years old.
• The child weighs 36kg (80 lbs) or more.
• The child is 145cm (4 feet 9 inches) tall or taller.

Booster seats

In Ontario, booster seats are required for children who weigh between 18 kg and 36 kg (40-80 lbs), are shorter than 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches), and are under the age of eight. This is a minimum requirement, and it is recommended to keep your child in a booster seat until they reach the manufacturer's height or weight limits.

A booster seat is used with the car's built-in seat belt. It raises the child so that the adult seat belt works more effectively, positioning the seat belt correctly across the child's body. Booster seats are recommended because they protect against serious injury 3.5 times better than seat belts alone.

A lap and shoulder combination belt must be used with all booster seats. The child's head must be supported by the top of the booster seat, the vehicle seat, or the headrest. The shoulder strap must lie across the child's shoulder (not the neck or face) and the middle of the chest. The lap belt must cross low over the hips, not the stomach. Never use seat belt adjusters.

Seat belts are designed to protect older children and adults. Once a child can sit against the back of the vehicle seat with their legs bent comfortably over the edge and can maintain this position for the entire trip, they are ready to move from the booster seat to the vehicle seat belt.

Rear-facing car seat laws in Ontario

In Ontario, it is a legal requirement for children to be in a rear-facing car seat from birth until they reach a weight of at least 20 lbs (9 kg). This is because rear-facing seats provide necessary support for young children's heads and necks, which is crucial when it comes to sudden stops.

Once a child reaches the 20 lbs weight threshold, they can move to a forward-facing seat. However, it is recommended that children remain in a rear-facing seat for as long as possible, as this provides optimal protection in the event of a collision. In fact, some sources recommend that children stay in a rear-facing seat until they reach the maximum weight and height limits allowed by the manufacturer.

When choosing a car seat, it is important to consider factors such as the child's height, weight, and developmental stage. Additionally, parents and caregivers should follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation and use, as well as the child's vehicle owner's manual.

It is also worth noting that in Ontario, car seat laws hold the driver responsible for ensuring that children under the age of 16 are properly secured. Failure to comply with these laws can result in fines and demerit points on a driver's license.

Fines for improper car seat use

In Ontario, all drivers, including visitors, must ensure that children under the age of eight are properly secured in the correct child car seat or booster seat. The driver can be fined and ticketed if a child under that age is not properly seated and wearing a seat belt.

Improperly securing a child in your care can result in a fine of up to $1,000. You can also be charged under the Highway Traffic Act and face two demerit points on your driving record.

The fine for improper car seat use is steep because of the serious risks involved. Studies show that:

• 73% of car seats were used or installed incorrectly.
• 30% of children in booster seats did not meet the 40-pound weight minimum.
• 52% of children did not fit safely in seat belts and should have been in a booster seat.

Car Seat Stages

There are three stages of car seats in Ontario:

• Rear-facing car seat: This is the safest position for young children as it provides necessary support for their heads and necks. It is legally required across Canada for all children from birth until they reach a weight of at least 20 lbs.
• Forward-facing car seat: This type of seat is equipped with a five-point harness and is designed for children who weigh between 9 kg and 18 kg (20-40 lbs).
• Booster seat: A booster seat is used with the car's built-in seat belt and is designed for older toddlers and young children who have outgrown car seats but are not big enough for the seat belt. By law, children between 18 kg and 36 kg (80 lbs), who are 8 years old or younger, or who are 4'9" or shorter should be using a booster seat.

Frequently asked questions