Minnesota Safety Council: Child Passenger Safety: Buckle Up Right

Child Passenger Safety: Buckle Up Right

Changes to Minnesota Law: Effective July 1, 2009, a child who is both under age 8 and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches is required to be fastened in a child safety seat that meets federal safety standards. Under this law, a child cannot use a seat belt alone until they are age 8, or 4 feet 9 inches tall. It is recommended to keep a child in a booster based on their height rather than their age. Check the instruction book or label of the child safety seat to be sure it is the right seat for your child's weight and height.

How do you know if you should be using an infant-only seat or a convertible seat?
What are booster seats and why do kids need them until they're eight years old or are four feet nine inches tall?
How do you know when a child is ready for your car's safety belt/shoulder strap?

When child safety seats and safety belts are used correctly, they can reduce the risk of death by up to 70%. But finding the right combination can be confusing. This information can help:

Get free expert help in a Minnesota community near you:
Minnesota Child Passenger Safety Checkup Clinic Calendar

Snappy Safari: Kids, buckle up and take a ride through the jungle!
Safe Kids Minnesota
www.CarSeatsMadeSimple.org

Brochures

Booster Seat, PDF (English; Spanish)
"Don't Skip A Step"
Child Safety Seat Guidelines (English); (Spanish); (Hmong); (Somali)
In and Around Cars brochure, PDF (English; Spanish)

Fact Sheets