With the holidays coming up, many families are making travel plans.   We’ve put together a couple of pointers in case you’ve been wondering how to factor child seats into your trip:

• If you’re traveling out of state, do check the child restraint laws before you leave.  For cross-border travel using your own vehicle, the rules may be slightly different than for local residents, though you may be allowed to bring your car seat from home  – do check before you leave.   For example, in you are traveling out of the country to Canada, visitors to Ontario are told that:

You must follow Ontario’s child car seat rules if you are transporting an infant or a toddler, regardless of where your vehicle is registered.  If you are traveling in a vehicle registered in another jurisdiction, you are exempt from the booster seat requirement for the first 30 days that you are in the province.

You may use a child car seat or booster seat from your home jurisdiction if traveling in a vehicle registered in another jurisdiction.  If driving an Ontario-plated vehicle, you must use a seat that fully complies with Ontario’s child car seat laws.

• If you are traveling to a location with less regulation than where you live, please think carefully about your child’s safety.   We highly recommend you do what’s best for your child, not just the minimum required by the law.
• If you’re renting a vehicle, you may be considering bringing your own child seat with you.  Your child may be more comfortable with a familiar seat, but it can be bulky to travel with, especially if your trip involves flying to a vacation destination first.  Some people prefer to rent one when they pick up their rental vehicle.  Most rental companies provide child seats, though the price tends to add up quickly.  With the fees some companies charge, you may even find yourself paying more than the cost of a brand new seat!  If you do decide to rent, it is a good idea make an advance reservation.  Be sure to tell them your child’s age and size so they provide you with the appropriate seat.
• Another option is to rent a carseat from an independent rental company, usually for a weekly fee.  Normally they will deliver the seat to you on arrival at your destination.  This could be a more cost-efficient option if you’re planning to be away for more than a day or two.  There are rental services in many locations throughout the USA – a search on the term “carseat rental” shows there are many different providers.  One drawback of renting equipment from a third party is that it’s impossible to know for certain whether the seat has been involved in any accidents.  Use your best judgment to ensure you are dealing with a reputable provider, and accept delivery only if you feel comfortable that the seat is appropriate for your child’s needs.
• One last idea if your child is almost ready to move on to a new seat:  why not retire your old one before you leave home and purchase that new car seat you already have your eye on, immediately after your flight lands?  If you do this, you might want to research which stores have it in stock before you leave home, so you don’t waste any time before your vacation truly gets underway.

What do you normally do on vacation?  Have some great tips for other families?  We’d love to hear your tips and experiences in the comments below.