So, you’ve kept your little one rear-facing for as long as possible, and it’s time to move to forward to a forward-facing car seat. Deep breath! You’ve already done it once: choosing the right car seat for your vehicle and your child. On this episode, we’re tackling the forward-facing car seat. When is your child ready to turn forward-facing? Are there any special considerations you need to be aware of when it comes to forward-facing car seats? And how do you use it correctly (e.g. can your child wear a snow suit in a forward-facing car seat)? Today, everything you need to know about selecting, installing, and using a forward-facing car seat.

Key takeaways:

1. Keep your children in their forward-facing car seat for as long as possible. Moving too quickly into a booster seat is dangerous. 
2. Pay attention to the correct setup of the forward-facing car seat, including the harness positioning against the shoulder, the top tether being anchored to the vehicle and selecting the correct belt path on convertible car seats. 
3. Bulky snowsuits and sports equipment can compromise the safety of your child when riding forward-facing. Use thinner clothing such as wools and fleeces or use blankets over the car seat strapping as alternatives.

Guests:
Erin MacDonald, parent
Holly Choi, Vice President of the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada

For more information, visit parachute.ca.

Other sources of information:

• Transport Canada 
• Child Safety Link - Child Safety Link is an IWK Health program that’s committed to reducing the rate and severity of unintentional injuries to children and youth in the Maritimes. Find information on car seats in multiple languages.
• Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada - The Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada is a national, not-for-profit corporation that promotes child passenger safety through public education, advocacy and training.
• Car Seat Manufacturers - All car seat manufacturers provide information on their products. Check out their websites and manuals.

Popping the Bubble Wrap is a podcast of Parachute, Canada’s national injury prevention charity. We release episodes monthly. Visit us at parachute.ca and follow us on Instagram and Facebook at Parachute Canada.

Popping the Bubble Wrap is produced by Story Studio Network.