News

May 12, 2010

Boost Your Child's Safety

Proper use of booster seats enhances safety, reduces risk of injury

Crashes kill more elementary and school-aged children than any other cause.

Did you know?

• A recent Children's Hospital study showed 50% of children with spinal cord injuries were injured in crashes.
  
  
• Ninety percent were unrestrained or improperly restrained (such as a young child in an adult seat belt).
  
  
• Of all vehicle occupants, children 4-8 years old are least likely to be properly restrained, with only 20% using a booster seat.

That's why the Winnipeg Health Region and Manitoba Public Insurance have teamed up to promote the proper use of booster seats. Properly restraining your child can greatly reduce the risk of injury and even death.

Does my child need a booster seat?

YES, if your child:

• is between four and eight years of age
  
  
• weighs at least 40lb (18kg)
  
  
• is less than 4'9" tall (145 cm)

Before graduating younger children from a forward-facing seat to a booster seat, use the child's forward-facing seat with the harness to its maximum weight and height.

Read about the four stages to safely transporting your child here.

How much does a booster seat cost? It will run you as little as $10 - $20 for a backless booster. High-back boosters and combination seats that can be used as a car seat and a booster seat are more expensive. First check the label on your child's car seat to see if it can also be used as a booster seat. When you're shopping for a booster seat, you'll want to keep the following in mind:

MPI Brochure re: car seats

MPI Video re: car seats

Consumer Guide

Boost Up for Summer!

Recalls

Is my child ready for a seat belt?

YES, if your child:

• is nine years of age or older
  
  
• weighs at least 80lb (36kg)
  
  
• is at least 4'9" (145cm) tall
  
  
• properly fits the seat belt

How do you know if the seat belt fits properly? Take the seat belt test. Meet all of these criteria - or use a booster seat - to safely transport your child:

Place your child in the back seat, against the seat back.

SAFE: your child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat.

SAFE: the lap belt rests on top of your child's thighs, not the stomach.

SAFE: the shoulder belt centres on the collarbone and the middle of your child's chest, not the neck or chin. Never place the shoulder belt behind the back or under the arm - this can cause life-threatening injuries.

SAFE: your child can stay in this position for the entire trip.

Learn more about booster seats by calling Manitoba Public Insurance at 985-7199.

Don't forget to visit the IMPACT and MPI interactive displays at the Teddy Bears' Picnic on Sunday, May 30th at Assiniboine Park. Have your child weighed and measured . . . see if they need a booster seat.

What's a Universal Anchorage System?

Car seats

Helpful tips

The importance of booster seats