September 21–27 is Child Passenger Safety Week in Ontario — a perfect time to take a fresh look at how safely your youngest passengers are travelling.

The school year is underway, routines are getting busier, and for many Ontario families, the car is once again the centre of the daily schedule: school drop-offs, daycare, sports, activities, playdates and weekend adventures.

But when was the last time you checked your child’s car seat?

It may be installed incorrectly. Your child may have outgrown it. Or the seat itself could be expired or damaged.

A few minutes of checking now could make a big difference when it matters most.

Know When It’s Time to Move Up

Children don’t necessarily graduate from one type of restraint simply because they reach a certain age. Their height, weight and developmental stage all matter.

Ontario recommends keeping children in the appropriate child car seat or booster seat until they reach the manufacturer’s maximum height or weight limits.

Generally:

  • Rear-facing car seats are designed for babies and can continue to be used as long as the child remains within the seat’s limits.
  • Forward-facing car seats are used for toddlers who meet the manufacturer’s requirements.
  • Booster seats are generally required for children under 8 who weigh between 18 and 36 kg (40–80 lb) and are under 145 cm (4’9″) tall.
  • A child can use the vehicle’s seatbelt alone when they turn 8, reach 36 kg, or reach 145 cm — whichever comes first.

However, the law is only the starting point. Ontario recommends following the car seat manufacturer’s instructions and keeping children in their current restraint until they have outgrown its limits.

Is Your Car Seat Installed Correctly?

A car seat can look secure without actually being installed correctly.

When checking your installation, make sure you:

  • Read both the car seat and vehicle manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Ensure the seat is properly secured using the appropriate seatbelt or Universal Anchorage System (UAS).
  • Check that the seat does not move more than approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) at the belt path.
  • Make sure harness straps are positioned correctly and are snug against your child.
  • Use the top tether when required for a forward-facing seat.
  • Keep rear-facing seats away from active airbags.

And remember: winter is coming. Bulky coats can interfere with proper harness fit. Once the weather turns colder, consider removing bulky outerwear before securing your child in the harness.

Don’t Forget the Booster Seat

One of the most common mistakes is moving a child out of a booster seat too soon.

A booster seat helps position a child so that the vehicle’s adult seatbelt fits properly. The lap belt should sit low across the hips, while the shoulder belt should cross the centre of the chest and shoulder — not the neck or face.

If the seatbelt doesn’t fit correctly without a booster, your child may not be ready to make the switch.

Check the Seat, Too

Before using a car seat or booster seat, check that it:

  • Has the National Safety Mark required for use in Canada.
  • Has not passed its expiry or useful-life date.
  • Has all required components.
  • Has no cracks, damage, torn straps or other signs of wear.
  • Has never been involved in a collision.

And if you’ve purchased a used seat, be especially cautious. You need to know its history and whether it has ever been involved in a collision.

Safety Goes Beyond the Car Seat

Ontario law requires drivers to ensure children under 16 are properly buckled and that children under 8 are properly secured in the appropriate child car seat or booster seat.

But child passenger safety is about more than avoiding a ticket. It’s about giving your child the best protection possible every time you pull out of the driveway.

This Child Passenger Safety Week, take five minutes to check the seat, check the fit and check your routine.

And while you’re checking your vehicle, why not check your auto insurance, too?

Life changes quickly — especially when children are growing, new drivers are entering the household, or vehicles are being added or replaced. Make sure your insurance broker knows about any changes to the drivers or vehicles in your household so your coverage continues to reflect your situation.

Your Next Drive Starts With Safety

Take a few minutes this week to check your child’s car seat and make sure everyone in your vehicle is properly secured.

Then, contact your insurance broker for an auto insurance review to make sure your policy still fits your family’s needs.

Safe passengers. Safe driving. Peace of mind. That’s a trip worth taking.