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Alberta RCMP urges parents to ensure proper child car seat safety
EDMONTON — Alberta RCMP are reminding drivers to make child safety a priority by ensuring infants and young passengers are secured in the proper car or booster seats.
The detachment is sharing safety information throughout November and says children face a higher risk of injury if they are not properly restrained.
Infants should remain in a rear-facing car seat from birth until at least age two or until they reach the height and weight limits set by the seat manufacturer.
Children aged two to six who weigh between 22 and 40 pounds should be secured in a forward-facing car seat. Once a child is over 40 pounds and has outgrown a forward-facing seat, they should use a booster seat.
Booster seats should raise a child so their back rests against the seat and their knees bend naturally over the edge. Police recommend a high-back booster to provide head and neck support.
RCMP say all car and booster seats must be installed in the back seat and carry a Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards sticker to show they meet federal regulations. They discourage buying used seats, warning they may be expired, damaged or recalled.
After installation, caregivers should perform the “inch test” to ensure the seat does not move more than one inch in any direction at the base.
“Drivers must ensure all passengers are properly secured in their vehicle,” said Sgt. Darrin Turnbull with Alberta RCMP Traffic. “This includes ensuring that car seats are properly installed and that all children are in the appropriate seat type for their size.”
More information can be found on the RCMP’s Facebook and X social media pages.
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