that's why I was asking, I'm not even sure she has the manual or even knows what kind it is though, it's almost 10years old, I was trying to help her find a cost efficient new one, then she was given this one, and all my work to help her make the right decision went right out the window. And now I'm unsure how to approach her about it, because since she decided to turn her ffing, she doesn't want to talk to me as much (doesn't want to feel like she's putting her daughter in danger maybe??)
If it's around 10yrs old, it's quite possible it's been recalled too. Here's the TC link on buying used car seats:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/tp/tp13511/tips.htm#Used Car Seats
It's very very brief, but it does mention 10yrs, missing parts, never in a collision, check for recalls.
Here's a link to the recall list:
(It's organized by manufacturer.)
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/childsafety/notices/menu.htm
IF her seat is over 10yrs old, obviously damaged or unsafe and recalled, she could potentially be detained and not allowed to transport her children away from a seat check (if pulled over by police doing a seat check,) until somebody was able to bring her a seat up to current standards. It has been done in the past, even with a parent that was 5mins away from home. And road-side seat checks are being done more often now.
Fines are $115 per area of offence, each seat can be ticketed up to 3 times. Does her seat even have a top tether?
Sorry about the whole situation. It sounds like this may be a case of talk until you're blue in the face and she won't change anything. She might've done her own thing even if the health nurse had told her her little one was too young to be ff'ing. In her case, I'm not sure laws would make a difference as she's already using an obviously old and probably dangerous restraint. :thumbsdown:
It's too bad you're not closer - you could say something simple about getting the installation checked by a certified technician and leave out the whole ff'ing rf'ing debate with her. At this point, with that old of a car seat, her little one would be safer if the car seat was at least new - even if she went with the bare minimum and left him ff'ing (at least provided he met the minimum requirements of the car seat.) Sometimes all we can do is provide the information, offer the help and then it's up to the parents to do the right thing. Even once people are ticketed, it doesn't always mean they'll change their ways. Some people just don't get it...