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   Since August 1, 2024, when new child restraint guidelines took effect, we have received numerous questions and requests for clarification on the new guidelines are and how they affect specific ages of toddlers and infants. From 2019 to 2023, preliminary figures of Minnesota crashes show that of the 12,827 children ages 0-7 properly restrained, 89 percent were not injured and 10 percent sustained only minor injuries. Of this age group, 20 children were killed in motor vehicles, only 10 were known to be properly secured, and 81 children were seriously injured, with only 44 percent being properly secured. (MN DPS Traffic Safety) The MN Legislature realized with the help of several groups that modifications to child restraint laws needed to be made. 

   New guidelines from Statute that became effective August 1st 2024: 

  •    Birth to at least 2 years old: Rear-facing in an infant or convertible child safety seat.

   • At least 2 years old AND has outgrown the rear-facing seat with internal harness by height or weight: Forward-facing with an internal harness.

   • 4 years old AND has outgrown the forward-facing seat with internal harness by height or weight: Ride restrained in a belt-positioning booster seat using the lap belt and shoulder belt.

   • 9 years old or has outgrown the booster seat AND the child can pass the five-step test that demonstrates how the seat belt fits correctly: Ride restrained with a lap belt and shoulder belt secured correctly on the vehicle seat.

   • Additionally, children under 13 years old must sit in the back seat if possible.

   If a child falls into more than one category, then the child must be placed in the safer restraint for them. For example, a child who is 2.5 years old and weighs 35 pounds but has a car seat with a rear-facing limit of 40 pounds, must stay rear-facing even though they are over 2 years old. It’s very important for parents and caregivers to always read their car seat and vehicle owners’ manuals for proper installation.

   It is estimated that 80 percent of child car seats are installed incorrectly. This sounds alarming, but in fact, the most common errors are simple ones that can be easily corrected with modification of the mounting or harness system. 5 common problems are identified with easy solutions that require minor adjustments as follows:

   Problem: Turning a child from a rear-facing restraint to a forward-facing restraint too soon. 

   Solution: Keep children in a rear-facing car safety seat until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat’s manufacturer (The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping children rear-facing until 2 years old if possible.)

   Problem: The harness straps are too loose. 

   Solution: Tighten harness straps so they are snug against the child.

   Problem: The retainer clip on the chest harness is too low. 

Solution: Slide the clip to the baby’s or child’s armpit level.

   Problem: The child car seat is too loose. 

Solution: The seat should not move more than an inch from side-to-side or front-to-back. If it does, have another person push down firmly on the child car seat while you tighten the vehicle belt, or kneel on the seat yourself while you tighten the belt. If the seat is in a forward-facing position, adding the top tether strap will help secure it.

   Problem: The child is in the wrong seat for their size. 

   Solution: Don’t rush your child into a bigger car seat or seat belt. Follow your car seat instruction manual or seat label for your seat’s weight and height limits.

   For the safety of any children in a motor vehicle, ALWAYS: 

   • Be an attentive driver

   • Always buckle up

   • Always secure your children in the proper restraint for their age, height and weight.

   • Always have your children sit in the back seat.

   If you have specific questions that you would like answered in this column or in person, please feel free to contact me anytime using one of the following methods:

Email: 

[email protected]

Phone: 

218-547-1424 | 1-800-450-2677

By Mail/In Person:

Cass County Sheriff’s Office

303 Minnesota Ave W

PO Box 1119

 Walker MN 56484

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