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durhamrcgion.com Booster seats are now the law Rids must be in booster seats much longer, according to new législation . S : ' BY JENNIFER STONE Staff writer DURHAM - It's the law -- as of Sept. 1, many children who long ago bade farewell to child safety seats will have to use a booster, a move that has at least one official with the Durham Region Health Department cheering. "We've recommended booster scats for some time, but there's never been any legislation," said public health nurse Olga McQuay, who handles many car seat inquiries inquiries for Durham Region. "At 4, (children) were being put into an adult lap and shoulder belt." 'It is very important for kids who are not ready to fit into an adult lap and shoulder belt. Their pelvis is not adult height until they're well over 9-years-old.' -- Olga McQuay Not so any longer. Under the new rules, children who have graduated from child car seats, which hold kids up to 18 kg (40 pounds), will have to be in booster seats. The new rules apply to kids between 18 and 36 kg (40 to 80 pounds), who are less than 145 cm (4-foot-9), or a maximum age of eight years. To help with the cost, the Province Province will not longer charge provincial provincial sales tax on booster seats after Sept. 1. Boosters range in price from about $30 to $160, said a media release from the Transportation Transportation Ministry. "It is very important for kids who are not ready to fit into an adult lap and shoulder belt," said Ms. McQuay, noting there had been numerous injuries to children in the age and size bracket that will now be in boosters, since the lap and shoulder belt didn't fit appropriately. appropriately. The major issue is pelvic height, she said. "Their pelvis is not adult height until they're well over 9-years- old." The new legislation applies to all drivers, including grandparents and caregivers, to use child car seats and booster seats when transporting transporting children. Anyone caught breaking the law will face two demerit points, as well as a $90 fine and $20 victim surcharge. That means a little extra planning to ensure children are safe when travelling with people other than their parents, noted Ms. McQuay. Kids who have been out of car seats, and using the adult system for some time might put up a bit of a fight, but Ms. McQuay recommends recommends being firm and reminding reminding kids that "all their friends are going to be doing it, loo." Letting children know it's the law, and parents can't break it, could also help, said Ms. McQuay. "Parents often have to enforce rules that nobody else does," said Ms. McQuay. Anyone with questions on child car safety seats can call the Durham Durham Region Health Connection Line at 905-723-8521. 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