A properly installed child car seat is key to keeping children safe when you’re on the road. Understanding how to choose and properly install the right seat can be confusing.
We want to help you choose and install the right car seat to help keep your child safe and secure.
Before you start, make sure you read and understand:
- the section of your vehicle owner’s manual on installing a child car seat
- your child car seat user manual
- the rules in your province or territory on child car seat, booster seat, and seat belt use
Remember, be careful when buying child car seats and booster seats online!
More information on child car seats
Choose a child car seat or booster seat
Learn how to choose the right child car seat based on your child’s age and weight.
Install your child car seat or booster seat
Learn how to securely install a child car seat or booster seat.
The 4 stages of child car seat use
Stage 1: Rear-facing seats
Infants and young children must ride facing backwards.
Stage 2: Forward-facing seats
Children who have outgrown their rear-facing seat and weigh at least 10 kg (22 lbs.) can ride facing forward in a child car seat.
Stage 3: Booster seats
Booster seats are for children who have outgrown their forward-facing seat and weigh at least 18 kg (40 lbs.).
Stage 4: Seat belts
Once a child has outgrown their booster seat, they can use just a seat belt.
Related links
- Stay informed about recalls of vehicles, tires and child car seats
- Safety alerts and notices for child car seats
- Be careful when buying car seats online!
- Child car seat cross border shopping – what parents and caregivers should know
- Expiry dates on child car seats and booster seats
- Report a potential safety defect