Essentia Health highlights new car seat laws going into effect in Minnesota

During the most recent legislative session, Minnesota lawmakers modified safety laws involving children and car seats. The new legislation, which aims to better protect kids in the event of a car crash, goes into effect on Aug. 1.

Some of the most notable changes include:

• A child must be rear-facing until 2 years of age and exceed the height or weight limit of their child restraint system (CRS).
• A forward-facing child must use the internal harness until they exceed the maximum height or weight limit.
• A child who is at least 4 years of age and exceeds the height or weight limit of the forward-facing CRS must be in a booster seat.
• A child who is at least 9 years of age and exceeds the height or weight limit of the CRS and can pass the 5-Step Fit Test must be secured with a safety belt.
• No child under 13 years of age can be in the front seat.

Learn more about child passenger safety in Minnesota at dps.mn.gov.

Essentia Health safety experts are raising awareness about the new legislation.

“It’s important that children and families follow these new laws, which are designed with their safety and well-being in mind,” said Allison Nicolson, injury prevention specialist at Essentia.

As the only Level I Trauma Center north of the Twin Cities, Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center cares for many patients every year who are injured in car crashes. Part of being a Level I Trauma Center is continually collaborating with outside agencies to find ways to keep people safer.

Our trauma program specializes in caring for extreme and life-threatening injuries. At St. Mary’s, you’ll find all the resources and specialists of an emergency department, plus surgeons and nurses with advanced training to treat traumatic injuries.

The research team for St. Mary’s Medical Center’s Level I Trauma Center explores data and research findings to improve care so we can continue to be a vital community resource. The team uses its research findingsto improve short-term and long-term care tailored to each patient. Every three years, all research content is reviewed by the American College of Surgeons, allowing St. Mary’s Medical Center to maintain its Level I Trauma Center status.