ANOTHER car seat question

[kayabrink]

I really want to get a Sunshine Kids Radian car seat for ds. But, I live in Canada and don't know if it has been approved for use in Canada. IS anyone using a car seat in Canada that does not have Canadian approval? Is it leagal? If I did get stopped, would they actually check to see if the car seat was approved for use in Canada?
TIA for any advice...

[LizaBear]

No, it's not legal to do so, and if you reside here and for some reason you do get caught (seat-belt check, or in an accident) you can be charged for improper use of a carseat.

[kayabrink]

I thought so. Thanks for the info. In that case my question becomes: does anyone know if the above mentioned car seat is approved for use in Canada?
I did look online but can't seem to find out
TIA

[lasciate]

It has not been approved or tested for approval.

[BabyOsMommy]

I feel you, mama... I want to do the same thing.

I found out from posting a similar thread a while ago that there is no seat approved in Canada for use with a harness over 47/48lbs.

I seriously doubt that an officer would know the difference unless he/she were specifically looking for it, but I'm not willing to chance it. When I was in an accident a couple years ago the officer had no idea about carseat safety and when I told him the seat my ds was in was now considered unsafe he told me I was paranoid. Your average police officer is simply not trained in carseat safety.

I'm not endorsing you getting a seat that's illegal, I'm just telling you that I know how you feel, it's frustrating to think that there are safer options for my very tall 3yo that would even be more economical and I can't use it.

[LizaBear]

Originally Posted by BabyOsMommy

I found out from posting a similar thread a while ago that there is no seat approved in Canada for use with a harness over 47/48lbs.

Did you know the reasoning behind this ? It's not because the SEATS aren't tested for safety beyond that - it's because vehicle tethor anchors aren't !!


Shh - but I know of more than 1 family who have bought Britax Marathons (The Canadian ones) with the intent to use them to the USA standards, as the seat is identical save for the stickers. But, SHHH ! Nobody told you that

[nicole lisa]

The concern I would have would be if you are ever in a collision you would be screwed when it came to insurance and the seat. That and it hasn't been safety tested here and the safety standards here are different which could then waive any liability on the part of your insurance or the manufacturer if the seat or the anchor did fail to work in the way it should, citing you weren't using an approved seat. I wonder what would happen in a case like that if something happened to your child? Would you then be facing charges for using an unapproved seat? I'm sure the risk is small of a collision and the seat or anchor not performing, I'm just wondering aloud.

[BabyOsMommy]

I totally know what you're saying, nicole lisa, which is why I haven't done it. I do know that you would be at the very least given the $300-ish fine because they'd consider it as your child not being in a seat at all.

It's just frustrating because I know I'm not the only one with a kid who outgrew the harness system before the age of 4, and technically he's only too tall, he is still only 38lbs, but 42' tall. When I asked our public health, as well as our Early Years I basically got:

"he's GOT to go into a booster, if you're using your seat incorrectly and he gets hurt in an accident, it's your fault".
"Uh, yeah, but see I was actually asking if you could reccommend a seat that will accomadate him a little longer..."
"40lbs, after that a booster, it's the law..."

So our children's advocates aren't even really realizing that there are other options that just need testing. People think I'm crazy to have my 18mo rear facing still and wanting to keep my ds1 in a harness longer. I'm labelled as paranoid. I say "Hurry up with the testing/approving already".

[nicole lisa]

Originally Posted by BabyOsMommy

I say "Hurry up with the testing/approving already".

[Throkmorton]

Trandport Canada is pretty much as slow as molasses. Don't even get me started on their decision to drop the rf weight limit to 30 lbs across the board. They have said that they are reviewing the 22 kg rule for harnesses, but who knows when their decision will be made. it all had to do with TC's legal definition of "child" as a person under 22 kg.

Nope, the Radian isn't approved for use in Canada, and no word on when it will be.

[thepeach80]

Originally Posted by LizaBear

Did you know the reasoning behind this ? It's not because the SEATS aren't tested for safety beyond that - it's because vehicle tethor anchors aren't !!

If they wanted to get technical (which I hope they don't), some LATCH anchors are only tested to 40#.

[Throkmorton]

Yes, actually, on US Britax seats, you must stop using the LATCH system after 48 lbs.

[kayabrink]

I find it so frustrating that there is a safer option, right there at my fingertips, yet using it would be seen by officials as endangering my child . I was considering a Britax, too, but I'm broke and there is a huge price difference between the two...
I'm just :
Well, thank you for your responses. I think I have to mull it over a bit.

[sanguine_speed]

I'm a car seat tech

I am a car seat technician in Canada, and just last week I worked with the OPP pulling people over to inspect their seats. It is being done, and I would NOT risk it. The fine in Ontario is $110 plus 2 demerit points. Nevermind your child's safety...

Graco and Evenflo each have a seat that goes above 40 lbs. I had to get one as my child was tall but underweight. The harness straps on these seats are much higher. The one I purchased and recommend is the Evenflo Chase.

[Liz]

Originally Posted by sanguine_speed

Nevermind your child's safety...

We are using a Britax Husky purchased in the US not approved in Canada because our van does not have shoulder belts in the back seat. How am I risking my child's safety by using it? Would you rather I use a booster seat with just a lap belt? I know the risk of getting a fine but I don't see the risk to my child. Please elaborate.

[BabyOsMommy]

Originally Posted by sanguine_speed

I am a car seat technician in Canada, and just last week I worked with the OPP pulling people over to inspect their seats. It is being done, and I would NOT risk it. The fine in Ontario is $110 plus 2 demerit points. Nevermind your child's safety...

Graco and Evenflo each have a seat that goes above 40 lbs. I had to get one as my child was tall but underweight. The harness straps on these seats are much higher. The one I purchased and recommend is the Evenflo Chase.

There are seats that harness up to 65lbs in the States is what a lot of us are getting at. I also have a child who's tall and thin... the Chase would at most get me another 1 1/2 inches from the Alpha Omega. I've sat him in it. My bets are on he's too tall but still not 40lbs and all of my options are gone but for a booster with lap belt. He's safer in a 5pt harness, but not if I'm using a seat incorrectly. That's why were discussing this.

I would also like to hear you elaborate on "Nevermind your child's safety...".
Seriously, we are all here trying to figure out ways to keep our children safer longer. The current approved carseat restrictions do not accomodate every child out there, and are not safer for every child.

edited for clarity of thought...

[thepeach80]

Originally Posted by Liz

We are using a Britax Husky purchased in the US not approved in Canada because our van does not have shoulder belts in the back seat. How am I risking my child's safety by using it? Would you rather I use a booster seat with just a lap belt? I know the risk of getting a fine but I don't see the risk to my child. Please elaborate.

Ideally as a tech, I'd tell you to get your van retrofitted w/ shoulderbelts. Even if you use the Regent, you can't use it forever. Do you have other people in your van that use those seatbelts? Lap belts aren't safe for anyone.

[kayabrink]

See, I truly can't risk the fine because I don't have a driver's licence, so my parents/dp drive ds and I everywhere- I don't want them to have to deal with demerit points because of me.
I do know about the Canadian seats that go over 40 lbs, but they only go to 47/48 lbs. Many non-approved seats go to 65. Also, dp is French and we live 8 months in Canada, 4 in France every year. A colapsable, air line approved car seat would be ideal for our situation.
I'm confused as to how it is risking the child's safety, to use a seat that is not approved in Canada, but is in the US? Do you feel that the approval process in the US is somehow substandard?