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c/o Royal Canadian Mounted Police, "K" Division HQ, Traffic Services, 11140 - 109 Street N.W., Edmonton, AB T5G 2T4 BOOSTER SEAT INFORMATION SHEET Updated July 2007 Booster seats: The best choice for children under 9 who weigh between 40 and 80 lb (18-36 kg) or who are under 4’9’’ (145 cm) 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. (over) Administered and funded by: Delivered by: Regional Health Authorities and Alberta police services Supported by: • Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research • Alberta Health and Wellness • Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation • Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security • Insurance Bureau of Canada • Kidsafe Connection • Municipal police services • Calgary Police Service • Edmonton Police Service • Regional Health Authorities • Royal Canadian Mounted Police • St. John Ambulance • Transport Canada If a booster seat is NOT used, a young child often is injured because of: • Slouching. This causes the lap belt portion 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. • Placing the shoulder belt behind the back. Without the proper placement of a shoulder belt in a crash, the child’s torso is unrestrained and will jack-knife forward. This can result in the child’s head hitting his/her knees or the vehicle’s interior, resulting in a serious head or brain injury. • Placing the shoulder belt under the arm. If the shoulder belt is placed under the arm, serious internal injuries, such as bleeding, liver or spleen damage or broken ribs can occur in a crash. 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: o High back booster seat o Backless booster seat o Adjustable booster seat • Always use the booster seat according to the manufacturer’s instructions. • Children 12 years and under should be riding in the rear seat of the vehicle and never in a position with an active front passenger air bag. Resources: • “Take the booster seat YES test” brochure. Calgary Health Region, Calgary Injury Prevention Coalition (www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/carseats) • Alberta Occupant Restraint Manual: A manual on seat belts and child restraints. A.O.R.P. 2003 (www.health-in-action.org/aorp) • Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation (www.saferoads.com) • Alberta Centre for Injury Control & Research (www.med.ualberta.ca/acicr) • www.boosterseats.ca July 2007 Backless booster seat Adjustable booster seat
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