News Release                           For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                   December 19, 2007

Check your car seats for expiry dates: Transport Canada

A Consumer Information Notice issued last week by Transport Canada warns owners of child car seats and booster seats to cease using these products if they are past the expiry date or “useful life” date. 

Depending upon the brand or model, manufacturers must provide expiry dates or “useful life period” dates, usually five to eight years. Reasons for expiry include: frequent use and exposure to sunlight can damage plastic; food and drink spills may prevent buckles and other parts from working safely; safety standards may have changed while the seat has been on the market; and the history and condition of the seat may be unknown due to multiple owners. 

In Ontario, infants less than 9 kg must ride in rear-facing seats until at least one year of age. Children 9-18 kg and one year or older are required to ride in forward-facing car seats. Children under eight years, who are less than 145 cm and between 18-36 kg, are required to ride in booster seats.   

Transport Canada also advises to follow all manufacturers’ instructions while using car seats and booster seats. The Transport Canada notice is available online at http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safedrivers-childsafety-notices-menu-907.htm. For further information, call the Family Health program at Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456.

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For more information, please contact:
Meghan Wilkie, Public Health Nurse
Grey Bruce Health Unit
519-376-9420 
or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 438

Sarah Ellis, Program Manager
Grey Bruce Health Unit
519-376-9420
or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 443