September 22, 2016
NICU Car Seat Safety Checklist
No padding should be placed behind or under the baby
Don’t use any add-on features that are not provided by the manufacturer, such as a bunting bag, head-hugger, tray or
comfort strap. These can affect the safety of the seat and can be dangerous in a collision.
During a motor vehicle collision the padding will be compressed and there will be "slack" created in the harness straps
placing the infant at increased risk for injury.
Cold weather: if it is cold, tuck a blanket over the infant after the infant is secured
Do not use a car seat that has previously been involved in a collision
Car seats involved in a collision, even if empty, must be disposed of and a replacement obtained. Do not use a seat that has
been in a crash or seat for which you do not know the history
What if no rear seat is available in the car?
As per Transport Canada, a rear-facing infant seat must never be placed in the front passenger seat unless the air bag is turned
off. A permit from Transport Canada is required to have this deactivation completed
https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/tp-tp13178-page4_e-184.htm
B. Assessing Infant for Correct Harnessing
Infant is seated at a 45 degree angle to simulate positioning in vehicle
The chest clip is at the armpit or nipple line level
Harness straps are lying flat, are sung and are threaded at or just below the infant's shoulders
Assessing for harness for adequate tightness: Do the ``pinch test``
Pinch the harness strap at the shoulder
The straps are tight enough when you can no longer grab any excess webbing/slack
If more than one finger fits between the shoulder harness and the infant's
collarbone, the harness is too loose
The seat handle is in the position recommended by the manufacturer
Do not add additional devices
Do not use any add-on features for car seats that are not provided by the manufacturer, such as a bunting bag, head-hugger,
tray or comfort strap. These can affect the safety of the seat and can be dangerous in a collision
No padding should be placed behind or under the baby because during a motor vehicle collision the padding will be
compressed and there will be "slack" created in the harness straps placing the infant at increased risk for injury
C. Documentation: Health Care staff will ensure and document that:
The infant car seat has a National Safety Mark present and that it has not passed the expiry date
Parent/guardian has demonstrated proper infant securing according to the manufacturer's guidelines and the modifications
The infant has been assessed for the infant car seat challenge testing. If the infant car seat challenge testing is completed,
results are documented in the infant chart