Community car seat check event on August 21, 2024

August 14, 2024

Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS) will hold a Community Car Seat Check event on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Graham Park. This event, taking place at Crawford Hall, helps parents and caregivers ensure their children are riding safely in the car. 

Child passenger safety technicians will be on hand to help individuals correctly install car seats according to Minnesota’s new car seat and booster seat laws. The event starts at 2:30 p.m., and each appointment takes about 45 minutes. You must sign up in advance by emailing OCPHS Car Seat Services. Only one car is allowed per appointment.  

“Keeping our kids safe is what matters most,” said OCPHS Child Passenger Safety Technician Dana Romanowski. “We encourage all parents and caregivers to come to this event to check that their car seats are properly installed. It’s a small effort that can protect your child in a big way.” 

Minnesota’s updated car seat and booster seat laws are important to follow to keep your child safe: 

  • Birth to at least 2 years old: Must ride in a rear-facing car seat. 
  • At least 2 years old AND has outgrown the rear-facing seat: Must ride in a forward-facing car seat with a harness. 
  • 4 years old AND has outgrown the forward-facing seat: Must ride using a booster seat with both a lap belt and shoulder belt. 
  • 9 years old or has outgrown the booster seat AND the child can pass the five-step test for correct seat belt fit: Can use just the seat belt without a booster. 
  • Children under 13 years old: Should sit in the back seat if possible. 

If your child fits into more than one category, choose the safer restraint. For example, a child who is 2 ½ 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. Always check both the car seat and car manuals to ensure everything is set up correctly.  

Questions? 
For more information about the Community Car Seat Check event and Olmsted County’s child car seat program, please visit Olmsted County’s website, reach out by email, or call 507-328-7121. 

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Media contact: Emma Diercks, Communications Specialist, 507-328-6166