1. I bought a car seat at a garage sale can I use it?
2. If my baby is 4 months old and 22 lbs and too big for an infant-only rear-facing car seat, what seat should use?
3. My child is 4 years old and only 35 lbs. Can I put him in a booster seat?
4. I am expecting a baby in the winter. How do I keep her warm in her car seat?
5. I saw a seat belt adjuster at the store and it is less expensive than a booster seat – why can’t I just use that?
6. What common mistakes can be made when installing and using car seats?
7. When should I move my child from a booster seat to an adult seat belt?
8. What does U.A.S. stand for?
9. Why do I have a locking clip with my car seat?
10. Why is a tether strap important?
11. Where can I go to make sure I have installed my seat correctly?
12. I have heard that using an infant car seat as a portable crib inside my home can be dangerous. What are the safety
    concerns with this?
13. Where can I go for more information?

1. I bought a car seat at a garage sale can I use it?
   There are many things to think about when choosing a car seat for your child. The seat should not have passed the expiry date and not be damaged in any way. If you don't know the full history of the car seat, it is best not to use it. When choosing a car seat for your child, check the full list of things to consider.
2. If my baby is 4 months old and 22 lbs and too big for an infant-only rear-facing car seat, what seat should use?
   If your child is too large for an infant-only rear-facing car seat, it is recommended you use a rear-facing to forward-facing car seat in the rear-facing position until your child has met the following three criteria:
   • at least 1 year of age
   • able to walk unassisted
   • are over 22 lbs (10 kg)
   Once your child has met these three criteria, the rear-facing to forward-facing car seat can then be used in the forward-facing position.
3. My child is 4 years old and only 35 lbs. Can I put him in a booster seat?
   Continue using the forward-facing car seat with a five-point harness system until your child is 40 lbs. It is not the age that determines when to move a child to a booster seat, but rather the height and weight of your child.
   
   If you have questions about your child's height and weight and safe use of their car seat, call Toronto Health Connection 416-338-7600.
   
   
4. I am expecting a baby in the winter. How do I keep her warm in her car seat?
   It is safer to use a blanket over your baby's legs and torso rather than a car seat bag or snowsuit. Too much padding (between your baby and the seat, or your baby and the harness straps) reduces the safety of the seat.
   
   
5. I saw a seat belt adjuster at the store and it is less expensive than a booster seat - why can't I just use that?
   Seat belt adjusters are not a replacement for booster seats. There are many add-on products on the market that are not regulated or safe to use.
   
   
6. What common mistakes can be made when installing and using car seats?
   Four out of five car seats are not installed properly. The most common errors are:
   • Car seat is not appropriate for weight and height of child
   • Vehicle seat belt is not tight enough to secure car seat properly
   • Harness or shoulder straps are too loose
   • Tether strap is not used or used incorrectly
   • Locking clip is not used when required
   
   
7. When should I move my child from a booster seat to an adult seat belt?
   To see if your child continues to need booster seat protection, sit your child all the way back against the vehicle seat and check the following:
   
   • Do your child's knees bend easily over the edge of the seat, without your child slouching?
   • Does the lap belt fit snugly across the top of the thighs and not up on the tummy
   • Does the shoulder belt come across the center of the shoulder and chest, not touching the neck? Make sure that the belt goes over the shoulder and across the chest, not lying over the neck or face. To fit most shoulder belts, a child should have a sitting height of at least 73 cm (29 in.) Never tuck the shoulder belt behind your child's back or under his/her arm.
   • Can the child sit like this for the whole trip?
   If 'no' to any of these questions, then keep your child in a booster seat. (PDF)
   
   
8. What does U.A.S. stand for?
   U.A.S. stands for Universal Anchorage System which makes it easier to correctly install car seats and are required in most cars and car seats made after September 2002.
   
   Another name you might see is L.A.T.C.H. which stands for Lower Anchor and Tethors for Children. Please check the car seat manufacturer's instructions and vehicle owner's manual on how to use them.
9. Why do I have a locking clip with my car seat?
   Some vehicle seat belt systems require the use of a locking clip with the car seat. A locking clip prevents the loosening of the seat belt and keeps the seat firmly in place. Check your vehicle's owner's manual to see if you require a locking clip for your car seat. Learn more on riding safely.
   
   
10. Why is a tether strap important?
    The tether strap is required by law for forward facing car seats. It prevents the car seat from tipping forward in a collision. To see a picture of the tether strap, see Toronto Public Health's Ride Safely brochure. (PDF)
    
    
11. Where can I go to make sure I have installed my seat correctly?
    Car seat clinics are offered in many places in Toronto. Car Seat Technicians have had special training to help you. Call Toronto Health Connection at (416) 338-7600 for the latest information.
    
    You can also check The Child Safety Seat Coalition web site as they may be holding upcoming clinics.
    
    
12. Can I use an infant car seat as a portable crib inside my home?
    Babies have been accidentally strangled by the harness straps when they had been left unattended in their infant car seats while outside of a vehicle.
    
    Transport Canada advises that infant car seats are not cribs or temporary cribs and that infant car seats do not meet the safety requirements for a crib or swing.
    
    When an infant is placed in an infant car seat outside of a vehicle, the centre of gravity of the car seat and infant is raised making it top heavy and unstable. In this situation, if the baby moves it could cause the car seat to tip over and the harness system could put enough pressure on the baby's neck to cause strangulation.
    
    Babies can also be injured if they fall out of their car seat when it is used for sleeping, or as a stationary chair.
    
    If you use an infant car seat to carry your child into your home, always place the car seat on the floor, not on a table or counter. Small amounts of motion from your baby can rock the chair and move it from its original position, causing it to fall off the high surface.

Last updated April 2011