CAR SEAT SAFETY
Ensuring infants and young children are in a car seat for every car ride can help keep them safe. Minnesota law has been recently updated to reflect best practices in safety of maxing out the height or weight limit for each category of car seat, whichever the child reaches first.
Summary of new laws:
- Rear facing until at least 2 years old AND has outgrown internal harness height or weight limits
- Forward facing with an internal harness until at least 4 years old AND has outgrown height or weight limits of that harness
- Booster seat until 9 years old or has outgrown the booster seat AND the child can pass the 5-step test
- Children under 13 years old must sit in the back seat, if possible
Reminders—bulky clothing, including winter coats and snowsuits, should not be worn underneath the harness of the car seat. During pregnancy, wearing a seatbelt provides the best protection for both you and your unborn child. Click it, don’t risk it—all drivers and passengers are required to wear seatbelts or be in the correct child restraint.
More Information:
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Minnesota Department of Public Safety (2024, August 1) Child passenger safety. Child Passenger Safety - Office of Traffic Safety
Minnesota Department of Public Safety (2023, September 14) Protect your child and yourself with proper car seat and seatbelt safety. Protect your child and yourself with proper car seat and seatbelt safety - Office of Traffic Safety
Child and Teen Checkups are regular screenings and physical examination of your child to help keep your child healthy. Children and teenagers from birth through 20 years of age who are receiving Medical Assistance are enrolled in this program. If any health problems are found, they can be treated early. Children can be tested for exposure to lead or Tuberculosis and other diseases during their checkup. Parents and children receive information about healthy lifestyles during their visit. Dental checkups can be performed at the dentist.
Included in the checkup are: monitoring of height and weight, hearing and vision, development, diet, dental health, physical exams, immunization, other health information and lab test results. The health checkup may be used for Head Start, WIC, sports physical, school, or day-care programs.
Child and Teen Checkups occur at:
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0-1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24Â and 30 months
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Annually starting at age 3 through age 20
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Dental checkups start at the first tooth eruption or by age 1.
After the first dental checkup, a visit to the dentist should occur every 6 months or earlier if problems are noted.
You may receive your checkups from your doctor or at a clinic. Children enrolled in a health plan must receive their Child and Teen Checkups from providers in their health plan. Child and Teen Checkups are at no cost to you. Checkups are a covered service by Medical Assistance.
Need Help?
The Child and Teen Checkup Coordinator can help you find a clinic, schedule regular checkups, find a dentist, get an interpreter and set up transportation. Call 1-888-837-6713 for more information about the Child and Teen Checkups program.