• Whistler is a vacation spot that attracts tourists throughout the year.Atop Whistler Mountain image by MScozz from Fotolia.com
  
  Whistler is a vacation spot in British Columbia, Canada. It is a mountain resort that is popular for skiing and other winter activities. In the summer, the scenery and picturesque trails attract nature lovers. If you are planning to travel to Whistler with your family, it is a good idea to know the traffic regulations and car seat rules. It is every driver's responsibility to ensure that all the children in a vehicle are properly restrained in car seats.
  
  

General Requirements

• By law, car seats are a requirement for all infants and young children traveling in a vehicle in Whistler, B.C. Different types of car seats meet requirements for children of different ages and sizes. You must follow the provided instructions and install the car seat correctly. Never install a child car seat in the front row.
  
  

Renting Car Seats

• Renting a car seat may be an option to consider, especially if your stay is going to be short. However, before renting a car seat, check it thoroughly to avoid problems later. Do not rent a car seat that is visibly dirty, torn or broken. If the manufacturing date is not visible and you cannot confirm that the car seat is past expiry, do not rent it. Only use a car seat that comes with the instruction manual. Also, check the car seat model to find out if it has been recalled because of safety concerns. Ensure that the car seat is free of rust or cracks, and that it has the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) label.
  
  

Rear Facing Infant Car Seats

• In Whistler, B.C., an infant must travel in a rear-facing car seat, starting with her first trip home from the hospital. You cannot install the car seat on a front row seat that has an active airbag. Install the car seat according to manufacturer instructions in the back row and secure it with the seat belt. All babies under the age of 1 and weighing less than 20 lbs. must travel in a rear-facing car seat that meets CMVSS standards.
  
  

Front-Facing Child Car Seats

• Children over the age of 1 and weighing more than 20 lbs. can use front-facing car seats in Whistler. All children weighing between 20 and 40 lbs. must be properly secured in a front-facing car seat. Look for the CMVSS label and secure the top of the car seat with a tether strap. There are different car seats to choose from. Some of the choices are infant/front facing, infant/front facing/booster and front facing/booster combinations.
  
  

Booster Seats

• Once a child weighs more than 40 lbs., he can make the transition to a booster seat. This must continue till the child reaches the age of 9 or grows over 4 feet 9 inches in height. Ensure that the child uses the lap and shoulder belts properly.
  
  

Warning about International Car Seats

• In Whistler, B.C., it is illegal to use car seats purchased outside of Canada. By law, all car seats must be purchased in Canada and must meet Canadian safety requirements. If you use a car seat purchased in America and get pulled over for some reason, you will be fined and the car seat may be confiscated.