CAR SEATS – What to know before buying?

A car or car seat is a seat to ensure the safety of your child. Its use is the best way to protect your children when they are in a vehicle. Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death and injury in children. Car seats save lives! It is the law in Canada to use the right car seat for your child and your vehicle.

The best car seat is one that's right for your child's weight, height, age, condition, and most importantly, your vehicle. Keeping your child safe means not only choosing the right car seat, but more importantly using it correctly.

Make sure the seat bears the Canadian national seal from the Department of Transport Canada. It is illegal to sell or use a seat without this logo in Canada.

Check the expiry date indicated on the seat. Over time, plastic, belts, and fasteners naturally deteriorate through the process of natural breakdown, exposure and drying of the material. The resistance of the material is therefore altered over time, exposure, and use.

Make sure your seat is suitable for your vehicle in size, depth, and space according to your bench seat and the row in front. The advice of a technician or expert could be extremely useful in making the right choice. Mistakes can be costly and having to change models in case of incompatibility. Prevention is better than cure! Be aware that sales of car seats are deemed "final or non-refundable sales" in Canada.

Evaluate your future need if you would have to install three seats on the same back seat and assess their width and depth to determine if they will fit properly. The advice of a technician or expert could be extremely useful in making the right choice of compatible models in "3 across or 3 side-by-side" mode. Mistakes can be costly and must change models later. Do not hesitate to call on our specialists.

You must register your product with the manufacturer so that he can contact you quickly in the event of a recall. Consult the details provided on the carton or manual of the seat for the registration method. Many manufacturers offer to do so directly on their website.

Visual diagram summary purchase guide (see graphic page)

(Be sure to read on to fully understand each transition.)

 

CAR SEATS – global view

Car seats are divided into three stages 1, 2 and 3. They are sold in the market as follows: Stage 1 models (often called "shells" or "portable car seat"). Then there are the transformable or convertible seats, adaptable to several phases (1 and 2, 1 to 3, 2 and 3 harness-2-booster). There are also the phase 3 models, also called "booster seats" or "boosters".

CAR SEATS - PHASE 1 - NEWBORN - shell

Stage 1 car seats are newborn seats, also known as "shell". They are seats installed rear-facing only with a base.

These models are intended for babies. Thus, their backrest is inclined to support the neck and head well. In the event of a sudden stop or frontal collision, your child's head cannot be thrown forward because it is supported by the seat back.

As soon as your child is born, it is important to obtain a shell (which only covers phase 1). Because it will be required as a condition to authorize your discharge from the hospital after the birth according to the maternity / birth center chosen.

Although many "convertible" seats cover stage 1, they are not eligible for discharge conditions to authorize your discharge from hospital after birth depending on the maternity / birth center chosen. These have the particularity of being fixed in the car and are not "mobile".

CONVERTIBLE SEATS

Convertible or convertible seats are seats adaptable to several phases: 1 and 2 , 2 and 3 , 1 to 3 .

- The seats covering phase 1 - The rear-facing seats.

- Seats in phase 2 mode – Forward-facing seats with a harness.

- Seats in phase 3 mode – Seats facing forward without harnesses, using the car belt.

PHASE 1 AND 2 CONVERTIBLE SEATS

Phase 1 and 2 Convertible Seats are car seats that allow use in phase 1 and 2 mode.

Convertible seats 1 and 2 covering phase 1 - Rear-facing seats.

When baby grows and grows, a convertible seat can be useful: you can leave the child there (still facing backwards) until he weighs 18 to 23 kg and measures 91 to 125 cm, depending on the chosen model.

Convertible seats 1 and 2 in phase 2 mode – Forward-facing seats with a harness.

Although you can place your child in a seat in phase 2 mode as soon as they weigh more than 10 kg (22 lb) 1 year and walk without assistance, our experts recommend keeping them in phase 1 mode for as long as possible, at least less until it is strong enough around the neck and the head in the event of an impact or a sudden stop of the car. We therefore recommend a minimum of 2 years in phase 1 mode (rear facing).

In phase 2 (forward orientation), you must secure your child with a five-point harness that must restrain the shoulders, chest and pelvis.

PHASE 1, 2 AND 3 CONVERTIBLES

Phase 1, 2 and 3 Convertible Seats are car seats that allow use in phase 1, 2 and 3 modes.

Convertible seats 1, 2 and 3 covering stage 1 - Rear-facing seats.

If the baby grows and grows, a convertible seat can be useful for you: you can leave the child there (still facing backwards) until he weighs 18 to 23 kg and is 91 to 125 cm tall, depending on the chosen model.

Convertible seats 1, 2 and 3 in phase 2 mode – Forward-facing seats with a harness.

Although you can place your child in a seat in phase 2 mode as soon as they weigh more than 10 kg (22 lb) 1 year and walk without assistance, our experts recommend keeping them in phase 1 mode for as long as possible, at least less until it is strong enough around the neck and the head in the event of an impact or a sudden stop of the car. We therefore recommend a minimum of 2 years in phase 1 mode (rear facing).

In phase 2 (forward orientation), you must secure your child with a five-point harness that must restrain the shoulders, chest, and pelvis.

Convertible seats 1, 2 and 3 in phase 3 mode – Forward-facing seats without harnesses, using the car belt.

When used in Stage 3 mode, also known as Booster, Booster or Booster mode, you can use the vehicle's seat belt to secure the child. Depending on the model, your child can sit with a minimum height of 100 to 115 cm (40 in and +), weigh at least between 18 and 23 kg (40 lbs and +) and be at least 4 years old.

PHASE 2 AND 3 CONVERTIBLE SEATS – harness-2-booster

Stage 2 and 3 Convertible Seats are car seats that allow use in stage 2 and 3 modes, also known as “harness-2-booster)

Convertible seats 2 and 3 in phase 2 mode – Forward-facing seats with a harness.

Although you can place your child in a seat in phase 2 mode as soon as they weigh more than 10 kg (22 lb) 1 year and walk without assistance, our experts recommend keeping them in phase 1 mode for as long as possible, at least less until it is strong enough around the neck and the head in the event of an impact or a sudden stop of the car. We therefore recommend a minimum of 2 years in phase 1 mode (rear facing).

In phase 2 (forward orientation), you must secure your child with a five-point harness that must restrain the shoulders, chest, and pelvis.

Convertible seats 2 and 3 in phase 3 mode – Forward-facing seats without harnesses, using the car belt.

When used in Stage 3 mode, also known as Booster, Booster or Booster mode, you can use the vehicle's seat belt to secure the child. Depending on the model, your child can sit with a minimum height of 100 to 115 cm (40 in and +), weigh at least between 18 and 23 kg (40 lb and +) and be at least 4 years old.

BOOSTER SEATS or booster - PHASE 3

Stage 3 child seats are forward-facing car seats without harnesses, using the car belt. They are also referred to as booster seats, booster seats or booster seats. They are used with the vehicle seat belt to secure the child. Depending on the model, your child can sit with a minimum height of 100 to 115 cm (40 in and +), weigh at least between 18 and 23 kg (40 lb and +) and be at least 4 years old.

Note that some phase 3 seats do not have a backrest, while others have removable backrests. Our experts recommend a model with a backrest that ensures better positioning of the child.