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Maybe we buy organic milk and ditched all the BPA—juuuuust in case. Because we really do want the best for our children.

But it turns out there’s something much easier to manage that we’re not being as vigilant about—the proper use of carseats. And it’s definitely putting our children at risk. Here’s the deal:

• 80% of Canadian children are not properly restrained when they are travelling in motor vehicles
• Only 28% of Canadian children between the ages of four to eight are using booster seats
• The majority of serious injuries and fatalities for children under the age of 14 occur in the summer months due to motor vehicle collisions (the leading cause of injury-related death for Canadian children)
• Correctly using child restraints on EVERY trip can prevent 75% of crash-related deaths and serious injuries to children

After learning this, we decided to get some tips from Safe Kids Canada for properly using car seats:

• Babies should be kept in rear-facing car seats until they are at least 1 year of age AND at least 22 pounds. These seats protect babies’ necks better, spreading the force of a crash across their relatively stronger backs.
• Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat as long as is safely possible. Children must be at least 40 pounds (18 kg) before they can ride in a booster seat, regardless of their age.
• A child is ready for a booster seat when she or he is less than 4 feet, 9 inches (145 cm) tall and weighs between 40 and 80 pounds.

• A booster seat lifts a child up so that the seat belt fits correctly. (Seat belts only work effectively on people who are at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall.) Both the lap belt and shoulder belt must be in place to hold the child and booster seat in place during a crash or sudden stop.
• A child is only ready to lose the booster seat and just use a seat belt when he reaches at least 4 feet, 9 inches or 80 pounds (even if he is telling you none of his friends use them anymore!)
• Only use products that attach to the seat (such as headrests) that come with the car seat or booster—other add-on products such as bunting bags are not safe as they can make the harness straps too loose and children can hit against products such as mirrors and trays
• Children under age 12 are safest in the back seat away from air-bags

Good to know:

• Safe Kids Canada has produced a very informative DVD on carseat safety: watch it online or order a copy
• Every province has different regulations for booster seats—check your provincial regulations here and make sure you comply if you are travelling across provincial lines
• If you’re looking for a carseat to take you through the journey of parenting, we were excited to find out that the Graco® Nautilus™ Multi-Stage Car Seat ($239.99) is finally available in Canada. Its clever design allows it to transform from forward-facing seat with five-point harness to high-back booster to a backless booster suitable for a 100 lb child. So no more car seat collection needed. (Available at Sears, Zellers, and Wal-mart)

So whether you’re planning a cross-country journey this summer, or just an outing to the local pool, boost your children’s safety with the proper car seat every trip. Like biting your tongue when your MIL criticizes your parenting, car travel with kids is another occasion where restraint is always a virtue.

Tested by Stacey H., Toronto