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Push, pull, and adjust the seat until you can answer YES to each item that applies to your child's car seat.

Who should be in a rear-facing car seat?

 

• Infants and young children are safest in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight limit for rear-facing use allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. Find these limits on the car seat's stickers or in the instruction manual.
  
• Rear-facing car seats include rear-facing only (or infant) car seats, as well as larger rear-facing seats that you can change from a rear-facing car seat to a forward-facing car seat as your child grows.
  
• When your baby outgrows a rear-facing only (or infant) car seat, move them into a larger rear-facing car seat. Your child is safest in the larger rear-facing car seat until they are 2, 3, or even 4 years old, as long as they are still under the maximum height or weight limit for rear-facing use.
  
• A rear-facing car seat provides the best protection for a child's head, neck and spine in a sudden stop or crash.
  

Getting ready

• I’ve read the instruction booklet that came with the car seat.
• I’ve read my vehicle owner’s manual on how to install a car seat.
  
• I’ve checked the labels on the seat to find the maximum rear-facing height or weight limits. My child’s height and weight are under the limits.
  
  
• My child’s car seat is in the back seat.
• I never place the car seat in front of an airbag.
• My child’s car seat is approved to be used in Canada and has a CMVSS label.
  

Securing the car seat

There are 2 ways to secure the car seat. Either:

• I'm using the Universal Anchorage System (UAS) to secure the car seat.
• I've checked my vehicle owner's manual for the correct UAS anchor locations.
• The UAS belt goes through the rear-facing belt path on the car seat or base and is attached to the UAS ​anchors.

OR

• I'm using the seat belt to secure the car seat.
• I've checked my vehicle owner's manual for how to use the seat belt to secure a car seat.
• The seat belt goes through the rear-facing belt path on the car seat or base, and is buckled up.
• If the seat belt doesn't lock, I've used a belt lock or locking clip.
 

For either UAS or seat belt installation:

• I've pushed down on the car seat or base and pulled the UAS belt or seat belt tight.
• The car seat moves less than 2.5 cm (1 in.) in any direction when I push and pull it.
  

Buckling your child in the car seat

 

• The slots the harness straps go through are at or just below my child’s shoulders.
• The chest clip is at the level of my child’s armpits.
• The shoulder harness lies flat with no twists.
• The harness is snug. I can’t pinch a fold in the harness strap.

Being safe

• My child rides in the car seat every trip.
• If the car seat has a carry handle, I put it in the travel position.
• I’ve sent in the registration card for my child's car seat.
• I've checked for safety alerts and notices (recalls) for my child’s car seat. Recall information is available from Transpo​rt Canada ​ online or at 1-800-333-0510. 
  
• If needed, I’ll get a larger car seat, with higher rear-facing height or weight limits, so I can keep my child rear-facing until they are 2, 3, or even 4 years old.
  
• When my child outgrows their larger rear-facing seat by height or weight, I’ll move them to a forward-facing car seat with a harness.