Car seats misused by most

Ask a Trooper
Curtis Mowers
Posted 11/27/02

Question: I have been hearing many people talk about car seat requirements changing to a certain weight of the child. What is the law on these new weight requirements? Also, which car seat is the best one to purchase? Do you offer guidelines on buying one?

Answer: I have been taught that in Minnesota, the percentage of misuse of car seats is as high as 95%! You are not alone in your concern about car seats. There has been no recent change, and there are no weight restrictions or requirements for children in car seats in Minnesota law. Age alone is what the law addresses. (Under age 4 must be in an approved device).

However, each car seat manufacturer has their own weights and age and height requirements on labels on the seat, as well as in the instruction book for each particular seat. The things you have been hearing about specific weights of children are safety-minded recommendations based on facts, which are being taught to parents. (Do you want to be safe, or do you want to be legal?) Assuming you want to be safe, there are just a few things to remember when purchasing a car seat for your child.

Read the seat belt and car seat portion of your vehicle operator's manual thoroughly. Choose a car seat that will be a good fit for the child, one that will fit and work well in your specific vehicle, and one that will be used all of the time! Read the instruction manual that came with the car seat, and follow those directions as well. Make sure you send in your registration card promptly. That is how you get notified of any recalls on the seat. If you move, don't forget to notify the car seat manufacturer of your address.

We do not recommend purchasing a used car seat unless you know for sure the history of the seat. Any seat over six (6) years old should be destroyed and discarded. Any seat that has been in a crash should also be destroyed and discarded. The seat can be claimed on your insurance. All safety labels and instructions about the seat should be with the car seat at all times. Most after-market products such as seat belt cinchers, etc., often used with the car seats are not recommended, because they have not been tested with the seat.

For your convenience, I have listed a few good car seat information resources. In no certain order: www.safekids.org 1-800-441-1888; MN Dept. of Public Safety 800-818-9296 (or buckleupkids.state.mn.us); National CPS Board-(cpsboard.org); National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - nhtsa.dot.gov (or 888-dash 2 dot); Safety Belt Safe 800-745-safe (or carseat.org); Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 703-247-1500 (or highwaysafety.org). Thank you!

If you have any questions for future columns concerning vehicle traffic safety in Minnesota, please send your questions to: "ASK A TROOPER" c/o Trooper Curt S. Mowers 1991 Industrial Park Rd So. P.O. Box 644 Brainerd, MN 56401.