Driving Tips > Safety Columns
Secure your precious cargo
Eighty per cent of car seats in Manitoba are used incorrectly.
Protect your child by following a four-stage plan:
Stage 1: Rear-facing car seat
Keep your child in a rear-facing car seat until he or she is a minimum of 22 lbs., walking and one year of age. If this criteria is not met, but your child has outgrown the current rear-facing car seat, move your child to a rear-facing car seat with a higher weight limit.
Stage 2: Forward-facing car seat
Use a forward-facing car seat once your child is a minimum of 22 lbs., one year of age and walking. Your child should remain in this seat until he or she is at least 40 lbs. and approximately four years old.
Stage 3: Booster seat
Your child must weigh 40 lbs. and be approximately four years old before moving into a booster seat.
Stage 4: Seat belt
Your child should be at least 4 feet 9 inches standing or weigh 80 lbs. and be eight years of age before moving into a seat belt. The seat belt should fit properly across the shoulder and chest and sit low across the lap.
Get professional advice
Have your child's car seat checked
by an expert to make sure it's
properly installed. Visit mpi.mb.ca for a list of Winnipeg fire halls
that conduct car seat inspections.
Securing your child properly in the
correct car seat could save a life.
For more information, watch The 60-Second Driver on CTV or visit the Road Safety section on this website:
- Child Car Seats in Occupant Protection
- Seat Types in Occupant Protection
- Child Restraints in Driving Tips
- You can access a child car seat video directly for viewing or download
