Injury Prevention & Safety

Child Safety

On the Move

Child safety seats

According to the law in Alberta, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that passengers under 16 years of age are buckled up correctly. For children under 40 lb (18 kg) or under 6 years of age, the law states that:

an appropriate child safety seat must be used
the child safety seat must be correctly installed in the vehicle
the child must be properly secured into the seat

The proper use of child safety seats has been shown to reduce the likelihood of a child being injured or killed in a crash by as much as 75%.

Types of seats

Rear-facing child safety seats

Your baby should remain seated rear-facing in a rear-facing child safety seat appropriate for her weight and height until she is AT LEAST 1 year old AND weighs at least 20 lb (9 kg).

Forward-facing child safety seats

Your toddler should remain seated forward-facing in a forward-facing child safety seat appropriate for his weight and height until he is at least 6 years old OR weighs at least 40 lb (18 kg).

Booster seats

Your older child should remain seated in a booster seat if he weighs between 40 and 80 lbs (18 - 36 kg) OR measures less than 4’9” (145 cm) OR is 9 years old or younger, and has outgrown his forward-facing child safety seat.

Make every ride a safe ride!

Getting ready

Read the instructions that came with your child safety seat AND the instructions in your vehicle owner’s manual.
Ensure that your child is within the weight and height limits for the seat.
Check that the seat is approved for use in Canada, with a CMVSS label.
Check for seat recalls on the Transport Canada website.
Install the seat in the rear of the vehicle. Never place the seat in front of an active airbag.

Securing the seat

All child safety seats must be secured with a seat belt OR with the Universal Anchorage System (UAS). All forward-facing child safety seats must also be secured with a top tether strap.

Rear-facing seat secured with UAS:

Options for securing a rear-facing child safety seat

Rear-facing seat secured with seat belt:

Forward-facing seat secured with UAS and tether strap:

Options for securing a forward-facing child safety seat

Forward-facing seat secured with seat belt and tether strap:

Buckling the child in the seat

Make sure the shoulder harness is threaded through the correct slot according to the instructions.
Position the chest clip at the armpit level.
Tighten the harness so that it is snug. Only one finger should fit between the harness and your child's collarbone.

Need help?

Consult the instructions that came with your child safety seat AND the instructions contained in your vehicle owner’s manual.
Take the appropriate Child Safety Seat YES Test: rear-facing or forward-facing.
If you still have questions, register for Every Ride a Safe Ride!, a free class offered bi-monthly at the Alberta Children's Hospital.
If you still have questions, call 403-943-LINK to speak to a nurse, 24 hours a day.

As a parent or caregiver, you have the knowledge and skills to transport your child safely, and you have access to a wide range of educational resources. You are the child safety seat inspector! Do it right, every time.

Want to know more?

Take the Child Safety Seat YES test: Rear-Facing

Low Birth Weight Supplement to the Take the Child Safety Seat YES Test: Rear-Facing

Take the Child Safety Seat YES Test: Forward-Facing

Every Ride a Safe Ride! (free classes - upcoming dates)

Alberta Occupant Restraint Program Safety Seat Information Series:

Multi-language fact sheets: Rear-facing child safety seats

Multi-language fact sheets: Forward-facing child safety seats

Kids don't bounce!