|
Statistics
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and injury for children. In cases from 1984
to 1992, in which children were fatally injured, Transport Canada found that all the deaths of
infants up to 9 months old were in car seats that were incorrectly installed or improperly installed
and improperly used, 37 % were properly buckled in, but the seat was incorrectly installed.
| AGE |
1996
|
1997
|
1998
|
1999
|
| Deaths |
Injuries |
Deaths |
Injuries |
Deaths |
Injuries |
Deaths |
Injuries |
|
0-4
|
39
|
3,660
|
62
|
3,421
|
40
|
3,211
|
51
|
3,359
|
|
5-14
|
129
|
15,678
|
146
|
15,005
|
119
|
14,605
|
128
|
14,143
|
A correctly used child restraint will reduce the likelihood of a child being injured or killed in a crash by 75%. Car Seat Safety Check results from across Canada indicate that 4 out of 5 children are not properly restrained. Commom mistakes include:
- Child not in the appropriate restraint.
- Child not harnessed in the restraint correctly.
- Seat belts not tight enough or can't hold the car seat.
- Tether straps not used or used incorrectly.
|
Weight/Development
|
Height
|
Approx. Age
|
Type of Child Restraint
|
|
under manufacturer's upper weight limit (9 or 10 kg [20 or 22 lb.])
|
under manufacturer's upper height limit (range 66 - 74 cm [26 - 29 in..])
|
birth to
9 months
|
Infant Car Seat
Used Rear - Facing Only
|
|
|
under manufacturer's
upper weight limit for
rear-facing
(varies with model)
|
over manufacturer's upper
height limit of infant seat
(range 66 - 74 cm
[26 - 29 in.])
|
3-5 months to
9-12 months
|
Infant / Child Car Seat
Used Rear - Facing
|
|
|
over 10 kg (22 lb)
AND
pulling to
stand at
furniture
under 18 kg (40lb)
|
over 66 cm (26")
middle of ears below top
of car seat
(approx.
101 cm [40 in.])
|
9-12 months
to 4-5 years
|
Infant / Child Car Seat
Used Forward - Facing
|
|
under 18 kg (40 lb.)
|
middle of ears above top
of regular car seat
(approx. 101 cm [40 in.])
|
3-5 years
|
SOME Child / Booster Seats
Forward-facing tethered car seat
(converts to high back booster for
children over 18 kg [ 40 lb.])
|
|
|
under 18 kg (40 lb.)
|
middle of ears above top
of vehicle seat or high
back booster
|
4-8 years
|
Booster Seat
Positions the lap or lap/shoulder
belt
properly over child's body
|
|
|
under manufacturer's
upper weight limit for
booster
27 - 36 kg (60 - 80 ib.)
|
over manufacturer's height
limit for booster
sitting
height is 74 cm
(29in.) or
more; legs bend over
front edge of vehicle seat
|
varies
|
Seat
lap belt positioned below over
hips and
shoulder belt not
crossing face or neck.
|
|
|
|
|
