Find out which car seat your child should be using

A newborn infant must stay in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 10 kilograms (22 pounds) and able to walk unassisted.

When your child is this age:

• place them in the back seat;
• the centre position in your vehicle is often the safest, but always refer to the vehicle owner’s manual
  to find out the right placement; and
• keep your child in a rear-facing seat as long as possible.

Install a rear-facing car seat base into your vehicle

Step 1: read your manuals

• Before installing your car seat, make sure you have read your:
  • vehicle manual; and
  • car seat instruction manual.
• Your vehicle manual will let you know:
  • the recommended spots for your car seat; and
  • how your vehicle seat belts may be used with car seats.
• Your car seat instruction manual should tell you how to use your car seat.

Step 2: pick a seating position

• The best location for any car seat is in the centre of the back seat. In some vehicles and situations this is not possible.
• Check that 80% of your car seat base is supported by the vehicle seat. If it isn't, you will need to find a new position or a different car seat.

Step 3: decide if you are using your Universal Anchorage System (UAS) or a seatbelt

• Both are safe, but sometimes one may be easier to install than the other; you can't use both.
• Find out the process for using a UAS.
• Check your vehicle manual for seating positions that allow the use of a UAS system.
• If you choose to use the seat belt, know how your vehicle seat belt works for car seats.
• Make sure your seat belt will stay locked in place when fastened.

Step 4: install your car seat

1. Place your car seat on your vehicle seat as directed by your car seat instruction manual.
2. Push down and into the vehicle upholstery the sides of the car seat, or base if you are using an infant carrier.
3. Place all your weight onto the car seat or base to hold it in position and make it easier to secure.
4. Route your seat belt or UAS through as directed by your car seat manual, and pull the belt tightly.

Step 5: check your installation

1. Grab both sides of the car seat where the seat belt or UAS goes through it and try to pull it towards each side door.
2. If your car seat moves more than 1 inch in either direction, it is not correctly installed and you will need to try again.

In order to be placed in a forward-facing seat your child:

• must be over 10 kilograms (22 pounds) and  able to walk unassisted.

Your child must remain in a 5-point harness until they are 22 kilograms (48 pounds).

There’s no reason to rush your child into a forward-facing seat. For example, you can keep your child in a rear-facing seat until they are the maximum recommended weight . Check your car seat manufacturer’s instructions for guidelines.

Install a forward-facing car seat

Step 1: read your manual

• Before installing your car seat make sure you have read:
  • your vehicle manual; and
  • car seat instruction manual.
• Your vehicle manual will tell you the recommended spots in your car to put a car seat.
• The manual will also tell you how seat belts can be used with car seats.
• Your car seat instruction manual should tell you how to use your car seat.

Step 2: pick a seating position

The best location for any car seat is in the centre back seat. In some vehicles and situations this location is not possible.

1. Check that 80% of your car seat base is supported by the vehicle seat.
2. If it isn't, you will need to find a new position or a different car seat.

Step 3: decide if you're using your Universal Anchorage System (UAS) or a seat belt

• Both are safe, but sometimes one may be easier to install than the other; you can't use both.
• Find out how to use a UAS.
• Check your vehicle manual for seating positions that allow the use of a UAS system.
• If you choose to use the seat belt, know how your vehicle seat belt works for car seats.
• Make sure your seat belt will stay locked in place when fastened.

Step 4: installation

To properly secure a rear-facing car seat

1. Put your car seat on your vehicle seat as directed by your car seat instruction manual.
2. Push the sides of the car seat, or base if you are using an infant carrier, down and into the vehicle upholstery.
3. To hold the car seat in position and make it easier to secure, place all your weight on it.
4. Route your seat belt or UAS through as directed by your car seat manual.
5. Pull the belt tightly.

You can't use a forward-facing car seat with harness system without a tether strap

Your child must weigh over 22 kilograms (48 pounds) to be able to go into a booster seat.

Your child must use the booster seat until they are at least 145 centimetres (4 feet 9 inches) or 45 kilograms (100 pounds), whichever comes first.

Properly securing your child and booster seat in your vehicle

Step 1: read your manuals

• Before installing your car seat, make sure you have read your:
  • vehicle manual; and
  • car seat instruction manual.
• Your vehicle manual will tell you the recommended spots in your car to put a car seat.
• The manual will also tell you how seat belts can be used with car seats.
• Your car seat instruction manual should tell you how to use your car seat.

Step 2: pick a seating position

The best location for any car seat is in the centre back seat. In some vehicles and situations this location is not possible.

1. Check that 80% of your booster seat base is supported by the vehicle seat.
2. If it isn't, you will need to find a new position or a different booster seat.

This is how to install a car seat in a vehicle with side airbags.

Step 3: securing your child

All booster seats must be used with a regular seat belt.

1. Place your child on the booster seat.
2. Place the lap portion of the seat belt over your child's lap and the booster seat.
3. Secure the belt in place and make sure that it is positioned low and snug over your child's hips.
4. Make sure the shoulder portion of the seat belt is placed diagonally across the middle of your child's shoulder and the front of their chest.
   • Check your booster seat manual if you need to adjust the shoulder belt.
   • Never place the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the back of your child.
   • In the event of a collision, these actions could cause serious injury.
5. Make sure the midpoint of your child's ears is not above the back of the head rest or car seat. If it is, their booster seat can't be used and a new one should be purchased.