Frequently Asked Questions about carseats and carseat installation

Common Questions

Which car seat should I use?

Please click here to get a few pointers on how to select a car seat appropriate for your child’s development.

Infants with health problems such as spinal problems, developmental issues, respiratory problems, low birth weight babies may need to travel in a special car seat or restraint system, specifically a car bed. The safety of this type of system is regulated by CMVSS213.5. In Canada, car beds are obtained by prescription through local hospitals and are NOT available at baby stores. For specific installation procedures, please contact your local hospital or Transport Canada Road Safety Line at 1-800-333-0371.

What is the safest car seat?

There is no single safest child safety seat for all children and vehicles. The safest seat is one that fits your child’s height and weight, fits your vehicle and one you will use correctly each and every time.

When can I turn my child from rear facing to forward facing?

Keep children rear facing until they reach a MINIMUM weight of 20 lbs (9 kg) AND 1 year of age.

Note: Some forward facing chairs are rated from 22 lbs (10 Kg). ALWAYS follow manufacturer’s recommendations for height and weight requirements.

My car was in an accident. The car seat looks fine; is it ok to continue to use it?

NO! It is impossible to determine if the seat has sustained any stress damage which would render it unsafe. Car seats that have been involved in an accident MUST be replaced.
I bought my car seat in the United States (or somewhere other than Canada).

All child safety seats manufactured in Canada MUST have a Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) sticker, or statement of compliance, visible on the seat itself. Child car seats without this sticker or compliance statement do not meet, or have not met, CMVSS requirements. Car seats made for the United States or other markets have different compliance requirements. By law, seats without a CMVSS sticker or compliance statement CANNOT be installed.

Should I use an old / used car seat?

Use caution when using a used or older car seat. Make sure the seat has:

• Never been in a collision
• Has instruction manual
• Has all necessary hardware (straps, buckles, harness, chest clip)
• Has not been recalled (Check with the manufacturer or Transport Canada 1 800 333 0371 or 1 800 333 0371)
• Has not expired. Most seats have an expiry date stamped directly onto the back. If not, most car seat makers recommend retiring the seat SIX YEARS from the date of manufacture. There will be a sticker on the car seat with a model number and date of manufacture.

Should I use the Latch system, the seat belt or both?

If your car is equipped with a Latch system (also known as Universal Anchor System or UAS for short), use that. All Canadian vehicles manufactured after September 1st 2002 are equipped with lower anchorage (or UAS) bars as required by CMVSS 210.2. Check your vehicle’s owner manual for more details.

If you own an older car that does not have a Latch system, you will use the seatbelt to install the car seat. DO NOT USE BOTH! Check your child’s car seat manual for more information and recommendation.

Note: Sometimes the position of the Latches within the vehicle are not compatible with some car seats. In these cases, the seatbelt must be used.