Booster Seat Use in Ontario Piotr Wilk Ashley Hartford Middlesex-London Health Unit

Child Safety Problem: Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of serious injury and death among Canadian children Solution: Risk of serious injury or death is significantly reduced when children travel in a restraining device that is size- and age-appropriate

Booster Seats Problem: Children older than 4 years of age are often: –prematurely moved into adult seat belts –susceptible to serious life-threatening injuries caused by seat belts during motor vehicle collisions – “seat belt syndrome” Solution: Booster seats use is an effective injury prevention strategy for children 4 to 7 years of age

Ontario’s Booster Seat Law Objective: To enhance the safety of children and youth on Ontario’s roads Regulations: A child must be properly restrained in a booster seat when riding in a motor vehicle until 1 of the following 3 criteria is exceeded: –child weighs more than 36 kg (80 pounds) –child is taller than 145 cm (4’9”) –child is 8 years of age Implemented: September 1, 2005

Objectives Overall objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Ontario’s booster seat law Specific objective: To provide a comparison over time regarding the % of children 4 to 7 years of age who are reported to use a booster seat in Ontario Past research: Parents rely on laws as guidelines on how to properly restrain their children

Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System RRFSS is a telephone survey: –gather surveillance data –monitor public opinion on public health issues –collect data on emerging issues important to public health in Ontario Participants: Over 20 health units in Ontario Website:

Measurement Survey question: Which of the following best describes how your child usually travels in a car or other vehicle: –with no seat belt and not in a car seat –with a seat belt only –with a booster seat and seat belt –in a car seat with harness straps

Sample Population: Parent/caregiver of a child 4 to 7 years of age Sampling: Randomly selected from a list of households with a telephone Time: January 2005 to December 2007 (monthly)

Change in Booster Seat Usage

Change in Usage by Age

Change in Usage by Time

Change by Type of Restraint

Conclusions Overall increase in booster seat use after September 1, 2005 Increase in booster seat usage is related to child’s age: –only among 6 and 7 year olds Significant proportion of 4 to 7 year olds are still not using booster seats: –prolonged car sear usage among 4-6 year olds –premature graduation to sit belts among 7 year olds

Implications Need to improve community awareness regarding the health risks of not using booster seats among 4 to 7 year olds Booster seat campaigns should clearly state weight, height, and age requirements

Thank You!