Town issues reminder on child car seat specifications

September 6, 2013 · 0 Comments

Caledon OPP officers and Auxiliary officers recently held the latest of their child car seat clinics. Auxiliary Constable Shane Atkinson was showing Sabrina Taglieri of Bolton how to install this seat in her vehicle. The next clinic will be Sept. 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the detachment headquarters at 15924 Innis Lake Rd. It will be by appointment only. Call 905-857-3304 and ask for Rosalyn to book an appointment.
Photo by Bill Rea

In Ontario, infants, toddlers and children must be placed in a specific type of child seat based on the weight, height or age of the child.
Inspector Rose DiMarco, commander of Caledon OPP, has issued a reminder that infants are defined as less than nine kilograms (20 pounds) and must be in a rear facing child seat away from the airbag. It is recommended to use such as seat until the child is until at least one year old and a minimum of 10 kg (22 pounds). Follow manufacturers’ recommendations for height and weight. Harness slots at or below shoulders and make sure the seat is reclined to a 45-degree angle. The child car seat program promotes best practices which includes staying rear facing for as long as possible.
Toddlers are defined as between nine to 18 kg (20 to 40 pounds). Toddlers must be in forward-facing child seats, and they can still be using a rear facing seat as long as they do not exceed the manufacturer’s height or weight limit for that seat. They must be in forward facing child seats with a tether strap attached and fastened to an anchor bolt in the vehicle.
Children are defined as less than eight years of age or between 18 to 38 kg (40 to 80 pounds) or less than 145 cm (four feet nine inches) in height. They must be seated in a booster seat with lap and shoulder belt. Their heads must be supported by the top of booster or vehicle seat or headrest. There cannot be any seat belt adjusters.
Youth are defined as anything above the “children” specifications and must be in a regular belt or booster seat.
The penalty for not obeying these regulations is a $240 fine and two demerit points.
For more information, refer to the Ministry of Transportation website at (www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/carseat/card.shtml)