Under a new provincial law, booster seats are mandatory for young children who have outgrown a car seat (usually at about age 4 and forty pounds), but are too small for a seat belt. This law came into effect on September 1, 2005.

Seat belts are meant for adults. With a child, seat belts cross over the wrong areas of the body (i.e. the neck and abdomen), which places a child at risk for serious injuries of the head, abdomen, back and spine. Even death can occur.

A booster seat ensures that the seat belt fits your child correctly. The shoulder belt must go over the shoulder, and across the middle of the chest and not touching the neck. The seat belt needs to fit over the hip- bones, under the child's belly. Also, your child's knees should bend comfortably over the seat edge.

According to the law, a booster seat is required if your child: