Do I Need a Car Seat or a Booster Seat?

Posted Dec 4, 2019

​It is that time of year, winter is here and driving conditions are always changing; as such, it seems like a good time to include some reminders about car/booster seat safety.

It is that time of year, winter is here and driving conditions are always changing; as such, it seems like a good time to include some reminders about car/booster seat safety. According to the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) Regulations, Division 36 - Child Seating and Restraint Systems, the regulations for car seats in BC are as follows:

Infant Restraint System - 36.04 (rear-facing car seat): ALL children MUST be in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least one year of age AND weigh at least 9kg (20lbs.) and secured away from an active frontal airbag.

Child Restraint System - 36.05 (forward-facing car seat): Children MUST be at least one year of age AND weigh 9 kg (20lbs) or more. Children MUST remain in a forward-facing car seats until they weigh 18kg (40lbs) or more.

Booster Seats - 36.06: Children who weigh more than 18kg (40lbs.) MUST remain in a booster seat until they are 145 cm 4’9” tall. (The MVA Regulations define a child as “any person under nine years of age.) Important notes: Refer to the manufacturer’s specifications for the correct height and weight restrictions/limitations of each individual car seat and installation instructions. All children (and those over the age of 9) can remain in any of the car seats listed above for as long as possible or until it is “no longer appropriate for the child’s height and weight according to the manufacturers specifications.” The MVA Regulations outline the minimum standards but sometimes remaining in a specific car/booster seat longer is safer.

Installing your car seat: It is important to remember that your car seat must be snug with very little movement (less than 1 inch of movement side-to-side and front-to-back at the belt path) and to check your installation regularly as sometimes they will need to be tightened. Universal Anchorage System (UAS): Please remember that UAS can only be used up to a certain weight before you must switch to the seat belt to restrain your car seat. Please refer to the manufacturer instruction manual for the specifications on your specific car seat. Important note: Do not use the UAS system and the seatbelt at the same time to restrain your car seat unless identified in the car seat and vehicle manuals. Each method of securing the seat works in its own way. Use the method that provides the best install in your vehicle.

Winter Gear: Bulky, thick, or puffy jackets/snowsuits will not allow the harness straps to be tightened appropriately. You can test your winter gear by buckling your child into their seat in their winter gear, without loosening the straps remove your child, take off their winter gear and buckle them in again without adjusting them to see the difference. Polar fleece is a great option to keep kiddos warm and thin enough to not interfere with the straps.

Choosing the car seat that will provide the most protection will depend on the height and weight of your child. For information/questions about car seats please contact your Network Facilitator or check out the resources on our website: www.icsfp.info/resources

References: BCAA Child Passenger Safety Program (2018), and the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations - Last amended Sept 20, 2019.