Infants
birth to 9 kg (20 lb.)

rear-facing

never use near an active airbag
Infant car seats face the back of the vehicle and rest at a 45-degree angle, so that your baby gets the spinal support needed to withstand a motor vehicle collision, and can breathe comfortably while travelling.

To install, push your full body weight onto the seat, then pull the seat belt as tightly as possible and fasten.

The infant car seat should move no more than 2.5 cm (1 in.) side-to-side.

The harness straps should be slotted at or below the baby's shoulders. The chest clip should be flat against the chest at armpit level.

You should not be able to fit more than one finger underneath the harness straps at the child's collarbone.

Use a towel or a foam bar (pool noodle) under the base of the child car seat to adjust the angle, if necessary.

Toddlers
9 to 18 kg (20 to 40 lb.)

forward-facing

always use with a tether strap
When your child is about a year old, is over 9 kg (20 lb.), and can pull him or herself to a standing position, he or she can ride facing forward. You should now use a child seat that is forward-facing.

It is important to use the tether strap exactly as the manufacturer recommends to prevent your child from moving forward and being injured in a collision.

To install, fasten the tether strap, then use your body weight to tighten and fasten the seat belt.

The harness straps should be slotted at or above the child's shoulders, and the harness clip should rest at armpit level, not at the child's neck.

Pre-school and Primary
over 18 kg (40 lb.)

booster seat

used until a child can comfortably use a complete seat belt assembly
Your 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 crosses the face or neck.

When smaller children are secured only by a seat belt, the belt may ride up on their abdomen. This may cause internal or spinal injuries in a collision or during a sudden stop.

Your child should use the booster until he or she has outgrown the height or weight limits. Children over 18 kg (40 lb.) may use the vehicle seat belt but are safer in 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.