Gimme a Boost
Filed Under Stuff, Tips & Tricks | September 12, 2007
Most of us are pretty well versed in the basics of car seat safety. Start off with a rear-facing seat until your child is at least one-year-old and 9 kg (20 lbs). Then switch to a forward-facing seat, but the longer the seat can safely stay rear-facing the better. And all forward-facing car seats must be secured with a tether.
But once your child is four-years-old and over 18 kg (40 lbs) they’re ready for the next step. And as of July 1, 2008 the mandatory next step will be a booster seat. Why not be an early adaptor and not wait until it’s mandatory? Most children under 9-years-old are too small for adult seat belts to work properly in an accident, but a booster seat lifts them up so their seat belt fits correctly. This can reduce the risk of injury and death by up to 60%.
There are many options for booster seats and making a choice can seem daunting, so we recommend consulting the experts. Any car or booster seat you buy should have a label saying the seat complies with the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS). We’re generally fans of buying second-hand, but most safety experts don’t recommend buying used car seats unless you know and trust the seller, as the seat may have been damaged in an accident. Between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday, you can always call a certified child passenger safety technician at 1.877.247.5551 for help with your choices.
Once you’ve installed your seat it’s a good idea to make an appointment with BCAA to have your installation skills put under scrutiny. Click here for the schedule of upcoming inspection clinics.
This is just the tip of the car and booster seat safety iceberg. For full details visit the Boost BC site, a collaboration of the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation and ICBC Road Sense, the Ministry of Children and Family Development, and the Knowledge Network. BC Children’s Hospital’s Safe Start site also has great safety info.
New today on our list of things to do around town that aren’t affected by the strike:
Sure, you know the beaches and parks are still open, but with this spate of late summer sunshine, have you been to the playground at Second Beach in Stanley Park lately? Three yoyomama readers sent in their recommendation for the newly revamped playground, and their collection of tots were entranced by the aquatic life (and mud) revealed by the low tide.
One Response to “Gimme a Boost”
Leave a Comment
Let us know what you think or share your great finds with us so we can share them with other Vancouver mothers!
[...] you are hitting the road this summer, remember that as of July 1st booster seats are mandatory for all children under nine-years-old or 145 cm high. For later model cars (2002 and beyond) we [...]