Burnsville Police Offer Free Car Seat Checks

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 75 percent of children are riding in car safety seats that aren’t properly installed.

To help keep kids safe in the car, the Burnsville Police Department holds free car seat checks each month.

During a Burnsville Police Department Car Seat Check, certified car seat technicians will demonstrate how to properly install your car seat.

After taking part, parents/caregivers will walk away feeling confident in their ability to properly install the child’s car seat, according to a news release.

• Dates vary each month. Appointments are required.
• Appointments take approximately 30 minutes.
• Participant should plan to bring their car seat(s) and child/children with them. This allows technicians to make sure the car seat is appropriate for the child’s height and weight and in the proper position.
• If possible, bring the car seat and vehicle manuals. They can help determine placement in a vehicle and outline the manufacturer’s instructions.
• If expecting, please make an appointment one to two months prior to your due date.

The Burnsville Police Department has three officers who have completed the required course to become certified as a Child Passenger Safety Technician. The officers must continue their education and training in order to keep their certification up to date.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Officer Alecia Ainslie at (952) 641-1169.

Child Passenger Restraint Law

• Children under the age of 8 and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches tall must be fastened in a child safety seat or booster seat that meets federal safety standards.
• Infants must be in a rear-facing safety seat until they are at least 20 pounds AND 1 year of age. (The new recommendation is to keep the child rear-facing until they are 2 years of age, as it is statistically safer to ride rear-facing.)
• Safety seats must be installed and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• The driver is responsible to ensure everyone is in the proper seat and or wearing a seat belt.
• A violation of the Child Passenger Restraint Law is a Petty Misdemeanor, punishable by a $50 fine.
• The law applies to all residents and non-residents driving in Minnesota.
• Not having a child restraint and not wearing a seat belt is a valid basis to stop a motor vehicle.

Exceptions

• Children riding in emergency medical vehicles, when medical needs make use of a restraint unreasonable.
• Children riding in a motor vehicle for hire, including a taxi, airport limousine or bus, but excluding a rented, leased or borrowed motor vehicle.
• Children riding with a peace officer on official duty, when a restraint is not available.
• Children certified by a license physician as having a medical, physical or mental disability that makes restraint use inadvisable.
• Passengers in school buses without factory-installed seat belts.

Child Passenger Safety statute — 169.685

Image: Henry Burrows via Flickr /Creative Commons