Safety

Car seats

August 28, 2011

Things to check on a car seat that belonged to someone else

  • The seat has never been in an accident.
  • The seat has never been recalled (you can get a list of all recalled car seats on Transports Canada's website).
  • There are no missing or damaged parts.
  • The seat is less than 10 years old.
  • The Transports Canada compliance label is still on the seat.
  • The manufacturer's instructions are included.
Be careful!
  • Avoid buying a car seat in the US. American standards are different from ours.
  • Fill out and return the registration card provided when you purchase the seat. If the manufacturer issues a recall, you will be informed.
  • If you have an accident, replace the child seat even if it doesn't look damaged. Feel free to include the new seat’s cost in your insurance claim. However, to do so, you will need to have kept your receipt.
Get help!

Even if you followed the instructions rigorously, you might want to get a professional to check that it was done correctly. Awareness and verification campaigns done across Quebec have shown that only two out of every ten seats are installed properly.

In partnership with the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), the CAA created the permanent provincial child car seat verification network.

Its goal is to offer a permanent car seat verification service to parents and to anyone caring about young children’s safety on the road, for all Quebec regions and all year long.

In Quebec, several dozen garages are recognized by the CAA and can answer all your questions for a reasonable fee. To get the complete list, visit the CAA-Quebec website or call their toll-free number at 1-800-686-9243.

Some verification clinics are regularly organised by police services across Quebec. You can call your local police department to know when these free clinics are held in your region.

Sources: Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, Canada Safety Council, CAA

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