1. Boosters presented by Travis Holeha www.skprevention.ca © 2013, Saskatchewan Prevention Institute

2. Boosters Boosters reduce the risk of injury by 59%. Only 28% of children 4-8 years are properly using a Forward Facing Seat or Booster. Over half of Canadian caregivers (53%) believe that children are ready to use a seat belt exclusively by age 6. Misuse rates of Boosters occurs 30%-50% of the time. www.skprevention.ca © 2013, Saskatchewan Prevention Institute

3. Booster Use Saskatchewan has poor booster use. Saskatchewan and Alberta are the only 2 provinces that do not have booster specific legislation. Many children are out of boosters far too early, and even worse, they are sometimes in the front seat. Remember: Best practice is to keep a child in the back seat until the age of 13.

4. Seat Belt Syndrome Injury to the internal organs and spine caused by a poor fitting seat belt.

5. Lap/Shoulder Belt vs. Booster

6. Booster vs. Lap Belt Only

7. Booster with Lap Belt Only

8. Booster to Seat Belt A child should stay in a booster until he or she fits the seat belt. Here are questions that assess the seat belt fit of a child: Do the child’s knees bend over the vehicle’s seat edge without the child slouching? Does the lap portion of the vehicle seat belt lay on the child’s hips and not across the stomach? Does the shoulder portion lay across the shoulder, not against the neck or in front of the face? Can the child sit in the proper position for the entire ride? If any of the answers is No, the child should still be in a booster. Some boosters now have upper weight limits of 120 lbs. The average child is between the ages of 8-12 when he or she is ready for a seat belt in most vehicles.

9. Booster Misuse – Too Small Child must be at least 40 lbs. Maturity also plays a big factor. Some seats suggest the child should be at least 4 years old.

10. Booster Misuse – Improper Fit

11. Insurance Institute On Highway Safety Booster Ratings IIHS Video http://youtu.be/HnxiKz0kjPY IIHS Website http://www.iihs.org/research/topics/boosters /default.html http://www.iihs.org/research/topics/boosters /default.html

12. Correct Position for Entire Ride

13. Head/Neck Support

14. Not Using Shoulder Belt Guide

15. Head Restraint Placement with High Back Booster

16. Low Back Booster Shoulder Belt Clip

17. Belt Over the Booster Arms

18. Lap Only

19. Some Boosters Require Assembly

20. Vehicle Fit Flat and Wide Tapered Bottom Graco Low Back Booster Harmony Youth Booster

21. Boosters and UAS Some boosters can be used with UAS. This is to stop the seat from becoming a projectile when not in use. Some combination/3-in-1 seats will allow for tether and UAS to be used in Booster mode. Always refer to manual.

22. UAS and Proper Belt Fit

23. UAS Weight Limits We know that UAS has weight limits of usually 40 lbs. or 48 lbs. (child’s weight), and that if nothing is said in the car manual we use 40 lbs. This does not apply for boosters because it is for positioning, and the seat belt is what is holding the child. Always refer to the booster and vehicle manual when it comes to booster and UAS use.