Booster Seats: Boost until Big Enough

A booster seat raises a child so that a vehicle seat belt fits properly. The lap
and shoulder belt holds the child and the booster seat in place in case of a
crash or sudden stop.
BC REGULATIONS
Since July 1 2008, it became
mandatory for ALL children
to be secured in a booster
seat.
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40 lbs – 80 lbs in
weight;
under 4 feet 9 inches
in height (145cm); or
9 years old or younger

Children who reach the
upper weight limit of the
booster seat, but who are
still under the age of 9 and
under 145cm (4 feet 9
inches) in height, will need
a booster seat with a higher
weight limit.

Why do children need to use booster seats?
While most parents acknowledge the necessity of car seats for babies, many
are not aware of the need to properly restrain older children. Seat belts are
designed for people who are at least 4 feet 9 inches (145cm) tall.
In a crash, a proper fitting seat belt places pressure evenly across the shoulder,
chest, and hip bones – the strongest parts of the body. When a child is too
small for a seat belt, it tends to cross over the more vulnerable places of the
body such as the neck and stomach. ‘Seat belt syndrome’ is how doctors
describe injuries to the spine and internal organs – something that happens to
children who were too small to use a regular seat belt.
What laws are currently in place across Canada?
Each province and territory has its own car and booster seat laws. Currently,
Nova Scotia (2007), Ontario (2005), and Quebec (2002) have legislation
requiring the use of booster seats. Booster seat laws will probably be slightly
different from one jurisdiction to another, but all laws are working to protect
children who have outgrown their car seats and who are too small to be
properly protected by a seat belt alone.
What type of booster seats are available?
Approved booster seats have a Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
Label. Every brand of booster seat is a little different, However all new booster
seats must be used with a lap and shoulder belt. Read and follow the
directions that come with the booster seat.
There are four main types of booster seat costing an average of $75. However,
they also range from $30 to $200 depending on the model. These models
include:
 High Back Booster Seat;
 2 in 1 Convertible Seat and 3 in 1 Combination Seat (combination
harness/booster seat);
 No Back Booster Seat; and
 Shield Booster Seat

According to ICBC claims
statistics, almost 860
children ages 4-9 are injured
or killed in traffic crashes
each year in British
Columbia
(ICBC, 2007)
Using a booster seat
provides 60% more
protection than seat belt
use alone for children ages
4-9 (BCCA Traffic Safety
Foundation, 2006).
Babies, toddlers,
preschoolers are restrained
in car seats. When they
outgrow these – often
between the ages of 4 and 5
year of age – they should be
moved to booster seats.
Approximately 28% of
Canadian children ages 4-9
regularly use booster seats
(BCAA Traffic Safety
Foundation, 2006).

Centre for Public Safety and
Criminal Justice Research
33844 King Road
Abbotsford, BC
V2S 7M8
604 854-4553

http://cjr.ufv.ca

Remember
 Always follow the manufacturer’s weight and height limits and
instructions for installation.
 Install car and booster seats in the back seat of the vehicle, away
from front seat air bags.

What type of booster seat is right for your child?
The most important thing is to make sure that the booster seat is suitable for your
child and for your car (or cars if more than one vehicle is used). Look through the
manufacturer’s catalogues on websites or in shops to understand the difference
between seat options. Try to find a retailer who will let you (or even better, help
you) try the seat in your car before purchasing it.
Resources
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Safe Kids Canada. www.safekidscanada.ca
Child Safety Link. www.childsafetylink.ca
Transport Canada, Child Safety Vision. www.tc.gc.ca
Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Safe and Secure. www.mto.gov.on.ca
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia 2007, Child Seats. www.icbc.com