Booster Seats:

Effective September 1st, 2005 , it will be mandatory for anyone transporting children to make sure children are properly secured in either an infant seat, child seat, or booster seat. This applies to all caregivers, from babysitters to grandparents.

New Ontario law protects children and youth

Booster Seats Mandatory And PST Exempt As Of September 1, 2005 QUEEN'S PARK, ON, Aug. 11 /CNW/

The Ontario government is protecting the province's children by making child car seats and booster seats law for all drivers traveling with young children, Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar said today. "We know child car seats and booster seats save lives. In fact they can reduce the risk of death or injury by as much as 75 per cent," said Takhar. "That's why having kids properly secured is no longer an option. It's the law." A new law goes into effect September 1st, making it mandatory for anyone transporting children to make sure children are properly secured in either an infant seat, child seat, or booster seat.

This would apply to all caregivers, from babysitters to grandparents. Rear-facing infant car seats are required for infants weighing 9kg (20 lbs) or less.

Forward-facing child car seats are required for children weighing between 9kg and 18 kg (20 to 40 lbs), children about one year of age.

Booster seats are required for children under the age of eight, weighing more than 18 kg but less than 36 kg (40-80 lbs) and who stands less than 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches) tall.

A child can start using a seatbelt alone once any one of the following criteria is met:

• child turns eight years old
• child weighs 36 kg (80 lbs)
• child is 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches) tall

As well, the government will no longer collect the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) on booster seats, effective September 1, 2005. Child and infant seats are already PST-exempt. "Properly restrained children, through the use of car and booster seats, reduce the likelihood of death or serious injury," said Gordon Jones, Acting Inspector of Toronto Police Service Traffic Services. "This new legislation requiring caregivers to use proper restraining devices will have a positive impact on the safety of our children." Parents and caregivers are encouraged to get more information about how to properly install child car seats or booster seats by attending a child car seat inspection clinic in their area. "We've seen far too many tragedies that could have been prevented had children been properly buckled up," said Dave Paradis, Manager, St. John Ambulance, York Region. "I'm hopeful that by making child car seats and booster seats mandatory, this will help save young lives."

Drivers who fail to use booster or child car seats, or who use them incorrectly, face two demerit points plus a $110 fine.

Quebec is the only other Canadian jurisdiction with a booster seat law. In the United States, 29 states plus Washington, D.C., require booster seats.

Source: Ministry of Transportation Ontario

For more Child/Infant Car seat information pleas click on the following links:

www.mto.gov.on.ca

For recall information, go to: www.tc.gc.ca