Car seats are not only important for your baby’s safety, but also it is mandated by law that parents should have one for their children. Each state has different car seat laws so if you live anywhere in Minnesota, you should follow the following car seat laws:

Minnesota Car Seat Laws:

• A child that is 7 years or younger, and measures less than 57 inches should be in a child restraint seat.
• Children are not permissible to use the adult safety belt.
• Anyone caught violating these laws are fined with a maximum of $50 with the first offense.

NOTES:

• Never buy a car seat that has been previously “used”.  Car seats should only be bought new.  Although there are a lot of baby items you can buy used, car seats are one of the few you cannot.  Since a used car seat could be recalled, expired, or even worse, could have been in an accident, it is never safe to use a used car seat.
• Once your child has gone past the weight and height requirements for their car seat, it is important that you upgrade them as soon as possible.
• You should also keep your baby rear-facing for as long as possible.  This will allow their neck time to develop so that their neck is strong to face forward-facing.  A good time to make the switch is when they’re at least 20 lbs AND 1 year of age.

If you care about the safety of your child, you should always have them in a car seat. Not only that it secures your baby from accidents, it also prevents you from compensating fines for violating the law. Also, you should consider a car seat that’s right for your baby in order to avoid greater risks.

This is just a brief summary of Minnesota’s car seat laws.  Keep in mind they may change over time, therefore it’s your responsibility to keep up with this very important information.