Children grow up so fast, and one of the things they get the most excited about is sitting in the front seat. However, as a parent, you might be wondering when it’s time to let your child sit in the front seat with you. Similarly to how children transition from a child car seat to a booster seat to sitting on the vehicle seat, this is a big transition. The back seat is generally the safest place for children, but eventually, one will want to make the move to the front seat. Let BrokerLink tell you how to determine when it’s safe for your child to sit in the front seat.
The stages of transitioning from a proper car seat to the front seat
Before sitting in the front seat, children must transition through a few stages. These are the rear facing car seat, front facing child car seat, booster seat and seat belt only. Let's review how to comply with Ontario car seat laws and determine when it's safe for your child to sit in the front:
Rear facing child car seat
First, your child should sit in a rear facing car seat from birth until they are 20 lbs or more. While Ontario car seat laws allow you to switch to the next stage after your child reaches this weight, you can hold off a little. These child safety seats protect a child’s head and neck in the event of a sudden stop or accident. Car seats are good for young children.
Front facing child car seat
If your child is more than 20 lbs, but less than 40 lbs, you can transition them to a front facing child car seat. These child car seats require a few additional steps for installation, including a harness and tether strap. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the car seat is installed correctly. This car seat allows your child to sit in the same direction as other passengers. If you didn’t know it already, insurance does cover car seat replacement in the event of an accident.
Booster seat
Once your child weighs over 40 lbs, they can start using a booster seat. Luckily, installing a booster seat is easier than that of its counterparts. By now, your child can handle starting and stopping but is still not big enough to sit in a traditional vehicle seat with a seat belt. Your child should stay in the booster seat until they reach the requirements for sitting in a regular seat with a seat belt.
Vehicle seat with seat belt
After your child turns 8 years old, is 80 lbs in weight or is 4 feet and 9 inches tall, they can start sitting in traditional vehicle seats with seat belts. The seat belt should sit against your child’s hips and chest, and they should be able to bend their knees and sit in the car without a car seat. If your child cannot sit upright during a car trip, keep them in a booster seat a little longer. Whether your child still needs the right car seat or it’s time to sit on the regular vehicle seat, you need to be prepared.
Sitting in the front seat
Sitting in the front seat is a special privilege that cannot be achieved with a car seat or booster seat. Children should not sit in the front seat until they are at least 13 years old. This is because of the potential dangers presented by the airbag. Additionally, the driver is responsible for ensuring anyone younger than 16 years old is wearing a seatbelt. Here are some valuable tips to use when your child is sitting in the front seat:
- Adjust the seat and ensure it is as far away from the airbag as possible. However, remember to leave enough room for the passenger to sit down.
- Always ensure your child sits up straight up against the front seat when riding next to you. Children or anyone in the passenger’s seat, for that matter, shouldn’t be playing with the radio, leaning against the door or putting their feet up on the dashboard.
Whether you’re in Ontario or another province like Alberta, where car seat laws are similar, safety should be a top priority. Moving up to the front seat is a big deal. It’s as exciting as moving from a car seat to a regular vehicle seat with a seat belt, but it should not be taken lightly. Follow our safe driving tips and get liability insurance, and you won’t have a problem if something were to happen.
How can you ensure your child's seat belt fits correctly?
Whether your child is still in a car seat or a booster seat, transitioning to sitting on a regular vehicle seat or moving from the back seat to the front seat, there are a few things you should ensure are done, including:
- Sitting against the back of the seat with knees bent over the edge of the seat.
- Lap belt sits snuggly on the hips to protect the child from injury during a collision.
- Shoulder strap is comfortable but tight enough not to slip off in an accident.
You should teach your children how to use a seat belt from a young age. It will encourage them to be safer passengers and better drivers later in life. The shoulder belt should not be under the arm or behind the back. Ensure your child knows these rules before promoting them to the front seat.
Speak with BrokerLink for all your car insurance needs!
Common car accidents can cause serious injury. That’s why you should take precautions to protect your child when moving them up to the front seat. Car seat laws, as well as height limits and weight restrictions, are there for a reason. You need a few of our car insurance policies to compensate for damage caused to your vehicle or medical expenses.
Letting your child sit in the front seat is a big decision. However, before deciding if this is the right choice for you, you should review Ontario car seat laws. If it’s not time to make the transition, keep your child in the car seat or the back seat with a seat belt.
At BrokerLink, we prioritize family safety. Our dedicated insurance brokers are committed to helping you find the best coverage options to protect your loved ones on the road. Contact BrokerLink today for all your insurance needs and drive with confidence!
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