Child Safety Seats

Properly installed child safety seats save lives. It has been proven that using a child safety seat correctly can reduce the chances of a child being killed or injured by 75%. The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has prepared the following tips and resources about child safety seats:

Does My Child Need to Be in a Safety Seat?

In Ontario, it is legislated that all children who fall within these criteria must be secured in a car seat:

• Children up to eight years old
• Children weighing less than 80 lbs (36 kgs), and/or
• Children less than 4'9" (145 cm) in height
• Some exemptions apply with taxis and vehicles transporting for hire

Once the child has reached 80 lbs and is over 4' 9'', they may graduate to a seat belt position, provided that the seat belt sits at the correct spot across the child's chest.

Proper Safety Seat Installation

In order to properly restrain a child, you must ensure that:

1. the child is secured properly in a child safety seat
2. the child safety seat is properly installed in the vehicle

For specific information regarding your particular Infant/Child Restraint System (CRS), please contact your manufacturer who will be able to answer any questions you may have.