Child Car Seat Laws in Ontario

Child car seat law in Ontario requires that any child below the age of 16 should be properly seated and wearing a seat belt. If the child is caught without a seat belt, the driver will be held liable. Drivers can be fined or ticketed if an underage passenger is found to have violated this rule. Car seat laws in Canada stipulate the specific age, weight and height requirements. These requirements have been made after thorough research on the dangers of driving without a car seat. This article give an overview of child car seat laws in Ontario. There are three main types of car seats that the law permits and they are recommended for children of different ages.

• Infant car seats: These are the rear-facing car seats, which are recommended for new-borns.
• Front-facing car seats: Toddlers and young children can use this type of car seat.
• Booster seats: These are for the older toddlers and young children who have not reached the age, weight and height requirements to fit on the car seatbelt properly.

Rear-Facing Car Seat Laws in Ontario

Previously, rear-facing car seats were only used for new-borns. As soon as the child could hold their head up properly, they were changed to the front-facing car seat. However, the law now requires that a child who is less than 20 pounds/9kg must be carried in a rear-facing car seat. This will provide even better protection for your child.

Toddler Seat Regulations Ontario

The next level is using a toddler seat. The front-facing toddler seat has special harness seat belts that can protect the child in the event of a collision better than a standard seat belt. The law requires that children be secured in a toddler seat until they reach 40 pounds/18kgs.

Ontario Booster Seat Laws

When children outgrow the front-facing toddler seat, they can be secured on a booster seat, which allows the smaller child to reach the height of an adult seatbelt. The booster seats are required for children between 18kgs and 36kgs who are a standard 4’ 9’ or less or those below the age of 9 years.

A car seat can protect your child from a serious injury if a car accident occurs. There has been extensive education regarding safety precautions that involve the use of car seats. Additionally, the laws have changed to help make vehicles safe for children. For instance, parents are now advised to use rear-facing child seats for much older infants compared to previous years. As a parent or driver, you need to stay up to date with these laws for the safety of your child as well as to avoid hefty fines and penalties and to ensure your children are kept safe.

At Grillo Law, we remain up to date with the latest updates in these laws to educate you on what’s required to keep your child safe and prevent breaking the law. We’ll go over some of the child car seat laws in Ontario that you should be aware of.

Choosing the Right Child Car Seat

As a parent or a guardian, you must choose the right car seat that is appropriate for your child’s weight, height, and age. The car seat must also meet the requirements outlined in the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Here are essential tips to help you choose the right car seat.

Check if the car seat has passed its expiration date. Depending on the specific model, most car seats usually last about five to eight years.

For parents who prefer second-hand car seats, it is recommended to learn more about the history of the seat before making the purchase. Avoid car seats that were involved in an accident.

Find out if there are safety recalls on the car seat before you purchase it. It should also meet all the requirements highlighted in the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Ensure the car seat is approved by Canadian regulations.

Installing the car seat

Your child’s car seat will be only effective if it is installed properly. Car seat installation guidelines are available on the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website. It’s also essential to get professional advice and guidance if you don’t know how to install a car seat.

Car seat safety tips

• Choose the right car seat for your child’s weight, height, and overall development.
• It is recommended to take a child car seat out of its box and install it several weeks before your baby arrives. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and read your car’s manual for proper car installation and use.
• Secure your baby correctly. Ensure harness straps are flat and snug. It is recommended to use tether straps with forward-facing child car seats.
• Keep your child away from active front airbags. Children 12 years of age and below are safest in your car’s backseat.

It is recommended to avoid using items that do not come with the car seat because they may not be safe to use. Indeed, they can affect the way your child’s car seat reacts in a collision. Some of these items include comfort straps, bunting bags, particularly where a shoulder harness passes through it, and more. If you must use an item that did not come with the child car seat, contact the seat manufacturer and ask if that specific item is safe for use.

It’s important to emphasize that every child car seat and booster seat has a useful life date or expiry date on it. Before you get your credit card to pay for such products, be sure to check the expiry date and ensure it has not passed. After installing the car seat, it is also essential to check it once again and ensure it is properly installed for your child’s safety.