Link: http://www.caledoncitizen.com/news/2008/1009/news/034.html

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The Ontario Provincial Police's involvement in the Provincial Seat Belt Campaign is now in full swing.

The initiative is 12 days in length and will conclude to this Sunday. Caledon officers continue their efforts to raise awareness of the importance of wearing seat belts, as well as proper use of child restraints in vehicles.

The Highway Traffic Act states that infants weighing less that 20 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing infant seat. Toddlers between 20 and 40 pounds shall be secured in a forward-facing car seat. Children between 40 and 80 pounds, with a standing height of less than four feet nine inches or under the age of eight, shall be in a booster seat.

Other child car seat tips include keeping children away from all active air bags, remembering that children younger than 13 are safest in the back seat, kneeling on the child car seat to push it in to the vehicle seat and tighten and fasten the seat belt to secure the child seat and making sure all harness straps are tight when securing the child into the car seat. Only one finger should fit between the harness strap and the child's collarbone. Check the harness strap each and every time you place the child in the seat.

Never use a car seat that has been in a motor vehicle collision or one that is more than 10 years old or older than the manufacturer's expiry date.

Caledon OPP officers will be out in full force looking for motorists and their passengers who fail to buckle up.

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