Melanie MoralesCar accidents are one of the primary causes of injury and death for children. Since regular seat belts aren’t sized for kids, there’s a big risk of injury when a running vehicle crashes.
So, to help maximize your child’s safety in a moving vehicle, we’ve put together this guide to child safety seats and the Child Passenger Safety Guidelines in Edmonton, Alberta.
What are the guidelines for child passenger safety in Edmonton, Alberta?
Listed below are the specific guidelines in Edmonton, Alberta, regarding the safety of children traveling in a vehicle.
- The driver must make sure that children under 16 years old are properly fastened in their car seats when traveling in a vehicle.
- If the child is under 40 pounds (18 kilograms) or under 6 years old, he/she must be in an appropriate child car seat.
- The driver must properly secure children under 40 pounds (18 kilograms) or under 6 years old into their child safety seats.
- The child safety seat must have a label stating that the product meets the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 123. Using a child safety seat that does not meet the safety standards is not allowed.
Note that in Edmonton, Alberta, the driver of the vehicle bears full responsibility for the proper way of fastening all passengers under 16 years old.
What are the different types of child passenger safety seats in Edmonton, Alberta?
The most common types of child safety seats in Edmonton, Alberta, are rear-facing car seats, forward-facing car seats, and booster seats.
Below, we discuss these child safety seats in detail so you’ll know when to use each type.
Rear-facing Car Seats
A rear-facing car seat is best for children under two years old because they keep the child in a rear-facing position. This is considered the safest position for babies when traveling in a moving vehicle.
Its design will press the child back into the car seat when the car suddenly stops. Besides that, a rear-facing car seat with a base and carry handle makes it easier to take out of the vehicle even with the baby asleep.
Forward-facing Car Seats
Forward-facing car seats are ideal for children who’ve already reached the maximum weight or height limit of a rear-facing car seat.
If you own a newer vehicle model that is equipped with a Universal Anchor System (UAS), installing a forward-facing car seat will be easy.
On the other hand, for older vehicle models, you can install this car seat by connecting the vehicle’s seat belt to the child safety seat tether strap. You may also need to install a tether anchor to keep it more secure.
Booster Seats
Booster seats are not required in Edmonton, Alberta. However, since Alberta law requires that children under 16 years old should be safely restrained inside a moving vehicle, booster seats are recommended.
Using the regular seatbelt is not recommended because it may not properly fit a child’s body. Moreover, the seatbelt can ride too high on the child’s belly or neck, which can also cause injuries in a crash.
Apart from that, booster seats are highly recommended for children who exceed the weight and height limit of a forward-facing car seat.
Note that children should continue using a booster seat until they are over the maximum weight and height limit stated by the manufacturer.
