News Release            For Immediate Release

September 15, 2003

When It Comes to Seatbelts, One Size Does Not Fit All

Imagine a father trying to fit into his 5-year-old child’s T-shirt or a mother trying to wear her 5-year-old child’s sweater to work.  “That is just as ridiculous as trying to fit a child into an adult-sized seatbelt.  One size does not fit all,” says Sandy Rennick, public health nurse at the Public Health Unit.

The Health Unit is involved in a regional booster seat campaign aimed at informing parents and

caregivers of the need to transport children who are over 40 pounds in a booster seat.  Once a child outgrows a forward facing car seat, most parents will buckle a young child into a regular vehicle seat belt.  “These seat belt systems are designed for adults.  Children are simply too small to fit them properly.  They need to be in a booster seat,” Rennick says.  A booster seat lifts a child so that the seat belt fits.  It positions the shoulder belt properly in the center of the chest, not over the neck or face, and it keeps the lap belt where it belongs, touching the upper thighs rather than over the child’s abdomen.  It gives the child a better view during the car ride, a point that many parents can use to keep their children happy about using their booster seats.  Booster seats are also being designed to cater to the trends and tastes of this age group, making it easier for parents to keep their children happy.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young children.  In 2000, 120 children

aged 5 to 14 years old in Canada were killed in motor vehicle crashes.  Another 13,514 were

injured.  “It is apparent that not enough people are using booster seats,” says Rennick.  “When used correctly, booster seats can reduce the risk of injury and death by 75%.  We want parents and caregivers to be aware of that and to use booster seats for children over 40 pounds in order to keep them safe.” 

The Public Health Unit, the Infant & Toddler Safety Association and the Government of Ontario are sponsors of the campaign.

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For more information:

Sandy Rennick,

Public Health Nurse, Injury Prevention Program

Grey Bruce Health Unit

376-9420 ext. 251