Making Sure Children and Parents are Buckled Up

Over the past three years, improper use of seatbelts and child safety restraints has been a contributing factor in over 75% of the serious injury and fatal motor vehicle collisions on Niagara's roadways.

Currently, any child under 9 kg. (20 lbs) must be in a properly secured rear-facing car seat and a child between 9 kg. and 18 kg. (20 lbs to 40 lbs) must be in a properly secured forward-facing car seat.  

Under provincial law children who are between 18 kg. to 36 kg. (40 lbs to 80 lbs), less than 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches) in height, or under the age of 8 must be in approved booster seats.  Once they reach any of these milestones, it is important to ensure that the seatbelt fits them properly before moving them out of a booster seat and into a conventional car seat.

For additional information on appropriate car safety equipment and their proper installation, you can contact the Niagara Region Public Health Department, Injury Prevention Program by visiting their Web site at www.regional.niagara.on.ca.