Background information | Booster Seats

Background

The Law in Alberta

Alberta law requires that, at a minimum, children under 40 lbs (18 kg) must be properly secured in an approved child safety seat. For children over 40 lbs (18 kg, the law currently requires that they must be secured using the complete seat belt system, properly adjusted and securely fastened.

Safety experts strongly recommend the use of booster seats for children who have outgrown child safety seats but are too small to fit into the existing adult seat belt systems.

The Alberta Occupant Restraint Program (AORP) now recommends that at a minimum, all child passengers under 9 years of age who weigh 40-80 lbs (18-36 kg) or measure under 4'9'' (145 cm) be properly seated in an approved booster seat while traveling in a motor vehicle. AORP continues to support the introduction of booster seat legislation in Alberta.

The Reality...

In Alberta, the leading cause of death and injury for children under 16 is motor vehicle collisions
There is a dramatic decrease in proper restraint use with increasing child age

Why Use a Booster Seat?

Adult seat belt systems provide inadequate protection for children under 9 years of age who weigh between 40 and 80 lbs (18 - 36 kg) or who are under 4'9'' (145 cm)
Booster seats position a seat belt over the strongest bones in a child’s body
A child is four times more likely to suffer a head injury in a crash when using just an adult seat belt than when buckled in a booster seat
Most injuries to restrained children are attributed to incorrectly fitting restraints
For children, the frequency of head injuries, brain injuries, spinal fractures and other injuries known as “seat belt syndrome” increases when the child is placed in a lap belt or an adult seat belt.

If a booster seat is not used, a young child may slouch. This causes the lap portion of the seat belt to move up over the soft abdomen instead of across the pelvis. In a collision, forces will be transferred to the abdomen and spine rather than the stronger pelvis. This could result in internal bleeding, fractures of the spine and paraplegia.

If a booster seat is not used, a young child may place the shoulder portion of the seat belt behind the back, leaving the torso unrestrained and likely to jack-knife forward in a crash. This can lead to the head hitting the knees or the vehicle interior, resulting in a serious head or brain injury.

If a booster seat is not used, a young child may place the shoulder portion of the seat belt under the arm. In a crash, this increases the risk for serious internal injuries such as bleeding, liver or spleen damage, or broken ribs.

Which booster seat to use?

Child passengers under 9 years of age who weigh between 40 and 80 lbs (18-36 kg) or who are under 4'9'' (145 cm) should be buckled in a lap/shoulder belt with one of the following belt-positioning booster seats:

For vehicles without head rests:

An adjustable booster gives a child head and neck support as he grows.

A high back booster gives head and neck support. Some models convert from a forward-facing seat with a harness to a high back booster seat.

For vehicles with head rests:

A backless booster that has a seat base with arm rests is a safe option. Adjustable and high-back boosters can also be used.

Booster seats should be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Children 12 years and under are safest in the rear seat of the vehicle and should never be seated in a position with an active front passenger airbag.

Online resources for professionals:

Alberta Occupant Restraint Program (AORP)

Alberta Infrastructure & Transportation

Safe Kids Canada

Transport Canada - Child Safety

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