2026 Child Passenger Safety Week: September 20 – 26

Child Passenger Safety Week is September 20–26! That makes this the perfect time for parents and caregivers to take a moment to ensure their child is in the right seat for their age and size, verify that it is installed properly and check that the harness or seat belt fits securely. As children grow, their safety needs change. Here is a quick breakdown of Minnesota law, essential safety reminders and local resources to keep your young passengers protected.

Minnesota Law Highlights

  • Rear-Facing: Children must ride rear-facing until they are at least 2 years old and have reached the weight or height limit specified by the car seat manufacturer.
  • Forward-Facing: Once they outgrow rear-facing, children must ride in a forward-facing seat with a harness until they are at least 4 years old and have reached the harness weight or height limit.
  • Booster Seat: After outgrowing the forward-facing harness, children must use a booster seat until they are at least 9 years old or have outgrown the booster seat and the vehicle seat belt fits correctly (use the 5-Step Test to verify).
  • Back Seat: Children under age 13 must ride in the back seat whenever possible.
  • Under 18: All children and teens under 18 years old must be properly restrained in the appropriate car seat, booster seat or seat belt.

Quick Safety Checklist

  • Harness Fit: Ensure the harness is snug (use the pinch test) and position the chest clip level with the armpits.
  • Car seat Installation: Check for movement at the belt path. A properly installed seat should move less than one inch side-to-side or front-to-back.
  • Top Tether: Always connect and tighten the top tether when using a forward-facing seat. It limits forward head movement in a crash, protecting the child's head and neck.
  • Don't Rush the Next Stage: Keep children in each stage for as long as possible until they hit the maximum height or weight limits set by the manufacturer.
  • Register Your Seat: Register your car seat or booster with the manufacturer so you're notified immediately of any safety recalls. You can also use NHTSA's SaferCar App for updates.
  • Avoid Common Errors: Small details make a big difference. Learn what to look for with BuckleUpMN’s Car Seat Mistakes Guide.

Resources and Free Inspections:

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) are available across Minnesota to assist parents and caregivers with hands-on help:

A few minutes today helps make sure your young passengers are safe on every trip. Please share these resources with your family, friends and community. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.