[0:00] Hi, I'm officer Ashley Kowarsh [0:02] and I'm detective Lynn Lawrence. [0:04] We are with Woodbury Public Safety, [0:05] And today we are going to be talking to [0:07] you about child passenger seat safety. [0:14] Lynn and I are child passenger safety technicians, [0:17] meaning we have each completed additional [0:18] training and continuing education [0:20] credits around car seats [0:22] and how to keep children safe in motor vehicles. [0:24] The proper use of child restraints [0:26] is one of the simplest and most effective methods [0:28] to reducing injury and or death of children [0:30] in the event of a motor vehicle crash. [0:32] In August 2024, [0:34] the state of Minnesota strengthened car seat laws. [0:36] These new requirements [0:37] increase the safety of children as they ride in vehicles. [0:40] Some of these new laws include: children must stay rear facing [0:44] in an infant or convertible seat until at least two years old. [0:47] We strongly recommend caregivers keep their children rear [0:49] facing until as long as possible. [0:51] But the state now requires [0:53] a minimum of two years old until they have turned forward. [0:55] Facing children can move to a forward [0:57] facing seat with an internal harness [0:59] once they have outgrown the rear facing seat, [1:01] with internal harness by either height or weight. [1:04] Children who are at least four years old [1:06] and have outgrown the forward facing seat [1:08] with internal harness by either height or weight, [1:11] may ride restrained in a belt positioning booster seat [1:14] using the vehicle's seat belt. [1:15] Children who are nine years old or have outgrown [1:18] the booster seat, and can pass the five step test [1:21] that demonstrates the seat belt fits correctly, [1:23] can transition to using the vehicle seat belt. [1:26] Children under 13 years old must sit in the back seat [1:29] if possible. [1:30] Properly installed car seats are one of the most [1:32] effective ways to keep our youngest residents [1:34] safe as they ride in motor vehicles. [1:36] Please help us keep our community safe [1:38] by following Minnesota's car seat laws, [1:40] properly installing your car seat, [1:41] and getting your car seat checked. If you have [1:43] any concerns, it might not be installed correctly.