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Laws on car seat safety in Alberta not in line with other provinces

Jun 24, 2017 | 11:15 PM

Alberta Health Services released up-to-date recommendations on car seat safety on May 2, 2017 but the laws have yet to change regarding booster seats for kids in Alberta.

Booster seats are required for children under 4 feet, 9 inches in all provinces except Alberta. Most also require booster seats for children of a minimum of 7 years of age, with 9 years being the most common recommendation nationally.

The AHS recommendations on booster seats do suggest the use of a booster seat until a child is 4’9” or between 8 and 12 years of age, but it is not legally required. These recommendations are largely based on research that shows seat belts typically ride quite high on smaller children’s bellies and necks, which can result in serious injuries in the event of an accident.

“Alberta’s child restraint laws are quite upsetting to me not only as a CPST, but as a parent as well,” said Sophia Middleton, Child Passenger Safety Technician.

Booster seats were not the only focus of the AHS recommendations which also made a point to identify the added safety of keeping children rear-facing in a car seat until at least 2 years of age or longer if they haven’t outgrown the height or weight maximum for the seat.

Rear-facing seats provide the best protection for a child’s head, neck and spine in a sudden stop or crash. The seat distributes the forces along the length of the body and protects the not-yet-fully-developed muscles and softer bones.

Forward facing car seats are required by law in Alberta for children until they are a minimum of six years old or 40 pounds. However, AHS further suggests that children should be kept in a forward facing car seat until they’ve out grown the maximum weight or height limit of the seat, which is often much longer than the law requires.

“Car seats can be much trickier than they seem, it is important for parents and caregivers to know that it is okay to feel overwhelmed or confused when it comes to them,” said Middleton.

Middleton said it is important for parents to read their car seat manual, but also to ask for help if they don’t feel the installation is adequate.

“Meeting with a local CPST is extremely valuable. Not all car seats fit every child or every vehicle,” said Middleton.

Saskatchewan was the last province to add legislation regarding booster seats for children, and that happened in 2014. There are currently efforts being made in Alberta to bring forward change to the current laws on booster seats.

“Parents often look to the laws to tell them what is safe, and with Alberta’s current law they could be placed in a position where they are transporting children unsafely, and often enough put them at risk of serious injury or death in the event of a collision.”

To find more information on car seats as per the AHS recommendations visit www.albertahealthservices.ca