Child car seat

Practical advice to ensure your child’s car safety

Do you worry about your child’s car safety? So do we!

 

Distressing data

Did you know that one out of two children is not properly secured in a car and is therefore not safe?

Siège d'auto

Each year in Québec, 1,000 children aged 9 and under are injured or die in car accidents, half of which occur in 50 km/hour or less zones, often close to their home.

According to CAA Québec, it has been proven that a car seat adapted to a child’s weight and height that has been properly installed reduces the risk of death or serious injury by up to 70%. So it’s crucial to choose the right seat, at the right time in your child’s life, and to install it properly.

*Important: The lifespan of car seats varies according to the manufacturer. Check the lifespan of your car seat in the manual. 

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Sources : CISSS de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue, CHU Sainte-Justine

Where can I check that the car seat is properly installed, in my region?

Several family resource centres offer a car seat checkup service. To find a location to have your car seat checked by a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) in person or virtually, or just to get advice, consult this map.. The CPSAC is a non-profit organization.  

Should I buy a new or second-hand car seat?

The SAAQ recommends a new car seat. If you’re using a second-hand car seat, you must carefully check several technical aspects to ensure your child’s safety.

  Checklist – Purchasing a second-hand car seat: Is it safe?  (in French)

How to secure your child in the car seat

This depends on the child’s age, weight and height, and the type of car seat. 

 

When can I move to the next stage?

In Québec, it’s recommended that your child remain in a rear-facing seat until at least age 2, since this is the safest position. Ideally, this position should be extended to age 4, or until your child reaches the car seat manufacturer’s limit, even if their legs are bent.  Contrary to what people think, this position is secure and very comfortable for a child. 

Refer to the car seat manual for more detailed information. 

  For more information: Is the car seat still suitable for your child? (when to move to the next phase) (in French)

 

How to instal a car seat in the car?

Installing a car seat can seem complicated for some parents. There are many resources available to help you. However, your car seat and car manuals are your primary references to ensure safe installation.

Voir les différentes vidéos

* SAU : Système d'ancrage universel

Installation d'une coquille (toujours orienté vers l'arrière)  

Aide-mémoire - Installation d'une coquille

Base avec SAU
 

 
Base avec ceinture de sécurité
 

 

 Sans base, avec une ceinture de sécurité

 

Installation d'un siège d'auto convertible orienté vers l'arrière  

Aide-mémoire - Installation d'un siège d'auto convertible face arrière  

Avec SAU

 

 Avec la ceinture de sécurité du véhicule

 

Installation d'un siège d'auto convertible orienté vers l'avant

Aide-mémoire - Siège d'auto convertible face avant

Avec la ceinture de sécurité du véhicule

 

Avec SAU *Attention, les SAU ont une limite de poids, référez-vous au manuel du siège d’auto et de la voiture, limite possible de 65 lb

 

Installation d'un siège d'appoint (booster)

Un enfant devrait être installé dans un siège d’appoint jusqu’à ce qu’il ait atteint la taille de 145 cm. C’est généralement à ce moment que l’enfant peut s’assoir de manière sécuritaire.

Rappelons que le siège d’appoint est trop souvent retiré précocement alors que l’enfant n’est pas encore assez grand pour être bien protégé par la ceinture de sécurité. Selon la Société d’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) : 
« Si l'enfant n'est pas assez grand et que ses jambes ne sont pas assez longues pour qu'il puisse plier les genoux sur le rebord de la banquette, il n'est pas prêt à utiliser la ceinture de sécurité sans siège. En cas d'accident, il peut subir de graves blessures à la colonne vertébrale ou aux organes internes parce que sa ceinture s'appuie sur son ventre plutôt que sur ses hanches. »

Aide-mémoire - Installation d'un siège d'appoint (booster)

Siège d'appoint avec ceinture de sécurité sous-abdominale et diagonale

 

When your child no longer needs a car seat 

How do I dress my child in the car in winter?

To protect your child from the cold and serious injury, choose thin clothing under the harness straps, and a blanket to cover them once they have been properly secured in their seat. Make sure to remove the infant carrier cover before you start driving to prevent your baby from overheating in the car. You must bring along their snowsuit so that it can be worn when you reach your destination.

Winter: Photos of best practices to keep children safe in the car

Did you know that snowsuits, due to their thickness, create a space between the car seat straps and the child that can be big enough for your child to be ejected in the event of an accident?  

 

Have you heard of the pinch test?Test de la pince

Take a few minutes to do this. It will reduce the risk of your child being ejected from their car seat in case of an accident this winter. To do the test

 

How do you ensure your child’s safety in another kind of vehicle? 

Certain rules apply if you want to travel with your child in a motor home, a vintage car, taxi or Uber. For more details. 

 

Is it safe to add accessories?

No. Devices that are not sold with the car seat could potentially compromise its safety and could injure your child in the event of a collision.

Non-regulated car seat items

  • Roller sunshades (attached with suction or insert clips)
  • Strap covers not sold with the seat
  • Head support not sold with the seat (e.g., elephant ears)
  • Infant carrier cover (that goes under the child)
  • Toy or pacifier attached to the backseat or directly on the harness
  • Vibrating accessories, like the Rockit rocker 

Did you know?

  • The different types of child car seats must, at all times, be installed on the vehicle’s back seat.  The position in the centre is not mandatory. Think about installing the seat on the side that will be the safest when securing your child in their car seat.   
     
  • NEVER leave a child under age 7 alone in a car!  There is no good reason to leave a child unattended in a road vehicle. Section 380 of the Highway Safety Code says: “No person may leave a child under 7 years of age unattended in a road vehicle under his custody.” (SAAQ)
     
  • The SAAQ and car manufacturers (see the car manual) recommend seating any child aged 12 and under in the vehicle’s back seat. If the child is sitting in the front passenger seat, the front air bag could cause serious or even fatal injury in the event of deployment. 
     
  • It is not recommended to use a car seat (infant carrier) for your baby to sleep in. The use of the carrier should be reserved for transportation. A baby’s breathing is more difficult since they are seated at a 30 to 45-degree angle. A baby’s neck muscles are not strong enough to keep their head in an upright position, which increases the risk of suffocation. When travelling with a baby who cannot yet support their head, it is recommended that they be taken out of the carrier every 30 minutes. For babies who have good head control and children of any age, breaks every 2 hours are recommended. 
     
  • For cleaning purposes, the seat (without the cover) and the harness straps must not, under any circumstances, be soaked or submerged (e.g., in a bath or washed with a hose), to avoid damaging the harness fibres or cause parts of the seat to rust. If this occurs, the seat can no longer be used. To remove persistent odours, you can expose the seat to the sun, in a sheltered place away from the elements. Do not apply any products like “Febreze” to the seat. To wash the seat cover, read the manufacturer’s manual.  

Recall notices - Transport Canada

Every year, many car seats are recalled by manufacturers. When you buy a car seat, it’s recommended that you register it. You can do this online on the manufacturer’s website or by filling out the registration card included in the box and returning it by mail. Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive recall notices directly from the manufacturer.

To consult safety alerts and notices for child car seats

 

To find out more

 

Mise à jour : décembre 2025