Illegal car seats put children at risk, says safety group September 17, 2007

According to CBC news, many parents are putting their children at risk by purchasing cheaper and possibly inferior child carseats from foreign countries. David Duanne, director of provincial programs of B.C. Automobile Association Traffic Safety Foundation warns that parents “are looking for the best deals, and without knowing the facts, are buying child safety seats from south of the border, the U.K. and other countries”. Duanne explains that car seats purchased from outside Canada do not meet Canadian safety standards and are therefore illegal to use in Canada. Seats approved for use in Canada must meet the Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems and Booster Cushions Safety Regulations and appropriate Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. All Canadian approved car seats carry a Canadian maple leaf seal of approval that is prominently displayed on all child restraints and booster seats. Parents who fail to comply with the regulations may have non-approved car seats seized at the border or receive a $109 fine if found using the seat while driving.Parent’s visiting from foreign countries are also advised to leave their foreign-purchased carseats at home and consider either purchasing or renting them during their vacation in Canada. Petite Passengers Baby Equipment Rentals provides an assortment of Canadian approved car seats in Vancouver, and can deliver them to your hotel or residence prior to your arrival. For added convenience, Petite Passengers also offers an airport pick up and delivery service which includes the use of age-specific child carseats and boosters.Petite Passengers is passionate about quality and only supplies high-end car and booster seats (such as Britax and Graco), all of which have been purchased brand new in 2007. Petite Passengers Baby Equipment Rentals – Quality, Convenience and Excellence…Visit us online at http://www.petitepassengers.com/new-car-seat-regulations-baby-equipment-rentals-vancouver-whistler-lower-mainland-british-columbia.html