Every day, parents buckle up their young children into seat belts that are meant for adults.  These children are at risk for serious injury or death.  Every year, more than 35 Canadian children between the ages of 4 and 9 are killed in car crashes, and another 360 are seriously injured.  Children have suffered head injuries, internal injuries, and damaged or severed spinal cords.

A booster seat ensures the seat belt fits your child correctly across the chest bone and hip bones.  The risks of serious injury and death can be greatly reduced by use of a booster seat.  If you’re not sure whether or not your child needs a booster seat, try the simple “5 point check”.  Answering “no” to any of the following questions means that your child needs to use a booster seat to travel safely in your vehicle.

1.  Is the child at least 9 years-of-age (for pelvic bone development)?
2. Does the child have a sitting height (measured from the top of the head to the tailbone) of at least 74cm (29in)?
3. When sitting back against the vehicle seat, do the child’s knees bend comfortably over the seat edge?
4. Is the shoulder belt centered on the child’s shoulder and chest (not touching the neck)?
5. Does the lap belt sit on the child’s thighs (not rising up onto the stomach)?

On December 6^th, 2004 the Ontario government passed a law that will improve child passenger safety by making booster seats mandatory (required by law).  This new law will begin to be enforced sometime in Fall 2005.

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit offers information sessions on car seat safety Precious Cargo - What You Need to Know About Car Seat Safety Information Session - June 21, 2007. This workshop covers all stages of car seats.   

Remember   -   Booster seats save lives!

For more information, contact the Intake Nurse:

• Windsor-Essex County local calls:  519-258-2146 ext. 1350
• Long distance calls:  1-800-265-5822 ext.  1350

References:

• Safe Kids Canada (2004).  Booster Seat Use in Canada:  A National    Challenge.
• Infant & Toddler Safety Association (2004).  Booster Seats Save Lives.