Child Safety Seats

When used correctly, child safety seats and booster seats save lives and reduce injuries.

When used correctly, child safety seats and booster seats save lives and reduce injuries. Children can get hurt if their child safety seats or booster seats are not used correctly. Using a child safety seat or booster seat properly can reduce the likelihood of your child being injured or killed in a crash by as much as 75%.

Kids rely on their parents and caregivers to make every ride a safe ride, and you can do it! This site contains a wealth of information to help you make the right choices to protect your child in a vehicle. Find your baby or child’s age and weight and then click to learn more!

Choosing the Right Safety Seat
This site contains a wealth of information to help you make the right choices to protect your child in a vehicle. Find your baby or child’s age and weight and then click to learn more.

If all developmental criteria for that age are met, your child is ready for the indicated child safety seat. If the development criteria for that age are not met, the child belongs in the earlier seat.

Birth to at least two years of age
Reaches the maximum weight or height limit of the rear-facing seat
At least 2 years of age
Reaches the maximum weight or height limit of the rear-facing car seat
Reaches the max weight or height limit of the forward-facing car seat
When the vehicle seat belt fits properly
Or, the child is 145 cm (4’9”) tall and between 8 and 12 years of age

*The manufacturer’s instructions and labels on each seat state the specific weight, size and/or age of child that the seat will protect. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your seat. The ages  listed here are guidelines.

Do not rush to put your baby in a forward-facing seat. The rear-facing position is the safest. Some child safety seats are designed to be used rear-facing up to 18 kg (40 lbs).

Some forward-facing seats may be used with the 5-point harness up to 30 kg (65 lbs).

Tips For Buying a Child Safety Seat or Booster Seat
All safety seats sold in Canada must have a Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) sticker. The best seat for you and your child is the one that you will use properly each time. Buying or using a second-hand safety seat is not recommended.

Questions to Ask When Buying a Child Safety Seat

  • Is the safety seat the right one for my child based on weight, height and age?
  • Does the safety seat fit in my vehicle?
  • Is the safety seat easy to use?
  • Do you have a copy of the safety seat instructions?
  • Has this model ever been recalled?

Learn more by reading Tips for Buying a Child Safety Seat or Booster Seat (pdf)