Car Seat Safety - Injury Prevention - Toronto Public Health

Public Health Home

A - Z Index

Injury Prevention

Car seats

	Passenger safety
	Car seat information
	Car seat law
	More information

Glossary of terms

Injury Prevention

Types of car seats

Use this seat when your infant has outgrown the rear-facing infant only car seat.

Safety tips:

For all car seats, check the tips for choosing the right car seat, installing and using it safely and other safer ride ideas.
Always refer to manufacturer's instructions for how to install and use.

Rear-facing

The harness straps for this type of car seat should come out from the seat at or slightly below the child's shoulders.
The harness straps should be flat and snug with only one finger fitting between the harness and the child's collar bone.
Place chest clip at arm pit level.
"Add-on" products are not recommended and may include head supports, harness comfort pads, and shoulder belt positioning device. These products have been designed to be used with the car seat, but have not been supplied by the manufacturer.
Do not use an infant car seat as a crib.
A child should remain in the a rear-facing seat in the rear-facing position until they are at least 1 year of age, a minimum of 22 lbs (10 kg), and are able to walk unassisted.

Forward-facing
Tether strapsare required by law for car seats in all forward-facing positions except booster seats. The tether strap is very important as it prevents the car seat from tipping forward in a crash.

Last updated April 2011